New freshmen FAQ

What if I don’t know what major is for me?

  • All new freshmen explore majors and opportunities on campus and beyond.
  • Our career counselors and academic advisors work one-on-one with students.
  • With both the physical science and engineering in one college – which is rare – you can choose among 20 majors without having to apply to a different college.
  • Most majors in the college take the same technical courses the first year.
  • Our CSE 1001 First-Year Experience course starts off your first semester, including major exploration activities.

Will I feel lost in such a big university?

  • The College of Science and Engineering is a tight-knit college community within a Big Ten University.
  • Our science and engineering buildings are located together in the heart of campus near freshman residence halls and the student union.
  • You can get connected right away by choosing a Living Learning Community.
  • With more than 75 student groups in CSE and hundreds University-wide, you’ll quickly find your niche on campus.

Can I have a learning abroad experience within this kind of technical program?

Can I get involved in research?

  • Undergraduate students work with top faculty on innovative research projects – and earn while they learn – through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Learn more on the UROP website.
  • There are other undergraduate research opportunities available to students.

Is there an honors program?

  • All freshman applicants are considered for the University of Minnesota’s Honors Program. CSE students make up the largest group of honors students every year. Learn more on the Honors website.
  • There are honors versions of core CSE courses including physics, math, and chemistry.

Will my education lead to a great career?

  • Our academic programs prepare students for tomorrow’s careers.
  • You will learn technical skills and develop essential workplace skills such as teamwork and communication through project-based learning and hands-on labs.
  • Our large alumni network and many industry partners lead to exceptional opportunities for internships, mentoring, advising, and careers.
  • The CSE Career Center offers career services and hosts two large career fairs each year just for science and engineering students.
  • Our degree programs in engineering, computer science, and the physical sciences prepare you for high-demand careers.

Where can I learn more about the College of Science and Engineering?

What kind of computer should I get?

There is always the option of bumping up the memory, but it's not a requirement. If students anticipate they will be using more graphics-heavy software and want to run it directly on their computer, they may want to consider adding GPU. Otherwise, they can use Apps2Go or use the computers in our CSE Labs without adding the upgrade. 

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