First-Year Students Considering Summer Classes

Some high achieving students may consider starting introductory engineering courses during summer sessions. Please refer to the following information before you decide if a summer course is the best choice.

What steps do I take if I decide to enroll in a GE course during the summer?

1. If you need to switch your enrollment term to summer, you can do so in your Clemson admissions portal. This must be completed before you can register for summer classes. 
2. Talk with a General Engineering (GE) advisor before you register. Advisors will discuss how these summer courses affect your fall schedule. You may reach an advisor by emailing geadvising@clemson.edu.
3. Look for GE summer classes and pay particular attention to the start and end dates so that you register for the correct session.
4. Register for your summer courses using Clemson’s IROAR. You need your Clemson username and CUXID.
5. Find information for paying tuition and other fees on the same webpage.
6. Check your Clemson email. Once registered, you are listed on the instructor’s roster. The instructor will contact you about course needs, syllabus, and any additional instructions before class begins.

Is online ENGR 1020 a good introduction for incoming freshmen to attempt over the summer?

The course is asynchronous, meaning the students can sign on at any time during the day to hear the lectures. Students are instructed to log-on Monday - Friday. There is a lecture every weekday, and the potential for an assignment due every weekday. Students cannot move faster than schedule through the course content, nor complete the class early. The professor has virtual office hours, so students can connect to ask questions about assignments.

The pace is accelerated. For students who participated in AP/IB courses- particularly physics, chemistry, and math- the majority of the content should be review. We expect students to devote 6-8 hours per day working on course materials. Every two days in the summer session is the same as one week during the regular term. A student should attend 4 hours of lecture and work 8 hours outside of class on assignments during the regular term. It is not acceptable to attempt to cram all the required coursework into a weekend or the day before an exam.

Students are provided a course syllabus outlining all procedures, policies, and assignments at the start of the class. They should abide by those and contact the professor if the situation requires an extension of a deadline.

Is the course material difficult?

Accelerated students who had AP courses in high school consider the material repeat information they covered in high school. This is not accurate for all our students, as some students will begin our program without any pre-knowledge of this content.

It is recommended that students who have not taken STEM AP/IB classes in high school should not take during the summer (i.e. those who have not taken calculus, chemistry, and physics).

We also do not recommend students attempt this course if they will be away from home for an extended time. Students with full-time summer jobs must manage their time to be successful in the course and the job.

Are there prerequisites for ENGR 1020? How are those handled for incoming freshmen?

To enroll in ENGR 1020, students must be eligible to enroll in MATH 1040 or 1060. 

All GE courses require a grade of C or higher to move forward. 

Do I receive Clemson credit for these courses? Does this affect my Clemson Grade Point Average?

Yes, ENGR 1020 applies to your Clemson degree and the grades received are part of your cumulative Clemson GPA. If you are a recipient of one of the Life or Palmetto Fellows scholarships, check to see how summer courses affect your eligibility.

How are online tests and exams managed?

Students enrolled in online classes must arrange for their exams to be given at a secure site and monitored by a proctor. Please refer to the course syllabus.