Have questions about the Shocker Design Experience? Take a look at some frequently asked questions below or contact us!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can participate in the Shocker Design Experience?

First-year students from ANY MAJOR on campus can take FYAP 102A Introduction to Technology & Innovation as a first-year seminar to participate.  

What does the Shocker Design Experience include?

The Shocker Design Experience is a full first-year experience over two semesters with a fall first year seminar course AND a spring applied project.

When/Where/How do I attend class each week?

Follow the schedule provided in Blackboard. You'll meet in the classroom (John Bardo Center room 338) one day per week, and you'll meet with your team on the other day of the week.

I'm not an engineering major - why should I participate?

We want students of ALL majors to participate! Having multiple perspectives on a team is a key element in design and improves problem solving, increases quality, and delivers a better end result for the customer. Believe it or not, engineers are not the most important members of teams! Business majors keep the project within a budget and form a business plan. Fine Arts majors consider the aesthetics of the design and how people will interact with it. Liberal Arts majors interact with customers to get to the heart of their needs and see how our product can impact society. Health Professions majors ensure that the design interfaces with the human body in a safe and comfortable way. Every team member brings a diverse perspective and that's what makes a multidisciplinary team great!

How am I graded in this class? 

We want you to focus on developing experience and learning what you’re interested in. There are a set number of workshops, mini design challenges, and a project that are required to pass the course. We teach to mastery and our goal is to help you become a curious learner.

What are the workshops and what are they about? 

First year seminar courses include student success topics which will contribute to your overall achievement in this course and throughout your college years and future career. Workshops will be offered on topics such as: time management, study skills, active listening, teamwork, communication, campus resources, information literacy, health and wellness, career development, financial literacy, and more. These topics will be offered in 1-hour workshops, called “Professional Development Workshops,” with some guest lectured by subject matter experts across campus and some offered asynchronously on LinkedIn Learning. 

How do I sign up for the workshops? 

We use the Shocker Design Experience webpage list all workshops as if it is a professional conference. You may pick and choose the workshops you are interested in and sign up for them with the RSVP links provided.

What if my work or class schedule conflicts with the workshops?

Workshops can be completed outside of class on your own time and will be considered part of the "homework" of the course. There are multiple asynchronous options for those with busy schedules. If you are still having trouble finding workshops that fit your schedule, please contact the instructor to find other options. 

Contact Us

For any further questions, contact us at the link below.