University of Michigan

ENGR 101

Solving engineering problems with computer programming in MATLAB and C++.

Canvas
Google Drive
Piazza
Office Hours
Autograder
PrairieLearn
PrairieTest
ECoach
Lobster
MatCrab

Week 1

Announcements
Welcome! We're glad to have you in ENGR 101!
Please join us on Tuesday, January 13th for our first lecture! We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Complete the Start of Term Checklist to make sure you're ready to go for ENGR 101.
Heads up! Your first homework is due next week on January 12th. Make sure to read the Guide to Using PrairieLearn to understand how the homeworks are set up, and then click a homework link below to get started!
Labs WILL NOT meet this week.
Professor Office Hours and a high level view of Staff Office Hours will be posted on the website next week. Office hours will be announced shortly after the start of the semester.
We've posted the first three weeks' schedule here, and we'll try to keep "three weeks ahead" for you throughout the semester. You're welcome to work ahead in PrairieLearn if you wish, but we don't expect that. Labs will be linked on the website on Tuesday evenings, and extra credit information will be linked as it becomes available.
ECoach will be available soon. We will activate the link when it is ready for you to use.
Start of Term Checklist

Complete BEFORE your first lab.

Read the syllabus , course norms , and FAQ documents.

Find your lab instructor in our Meet the Staff slides!

Join Piazza (go through Canvas the first time; if you have trouble signing up for Piazza via Canvas, you can use the direct sign-up link -- but you MUST sign up with your umich email address!)

Installation guide for C++, MATLAB, VS Code, and more!

Check out PrairieLearn where you will do homework, lecture reflections, and assessments.

Watch this ECoach video.

Extra Credit Opportunities
Extra credit opportunities will be posted here as they become available!
Homework

Heads up! You have homework due next week on January 12th. Visit Office Hours or use Piazza if you need help!

HW1: Setting Up Your Computer

Lecture

No lecture this week. See you next Tuesday!

Lab

No labs this week. See you next week!

Week 2

Announcements
Welcome to Week 2!
First lecture this Tuesday. This week we'll be learning how ENGR101 works and the strategies for success!
Office Hours begin Sunday, January 11th!
Labs start meeting this week.
Be sure to attend the lab section you signed up for on Wolverine Access. Come prepared to meet your classmates and work through your first activity.
Complete the Start of Term Checklist from Week 1 before your first lab. If you have trouble installing MATLAB or VSCode, you can come to office hours or go to the CAEN Help Desk on the 2nd floor of the Duderstadt Center.
Sick or tested positive for COVID? Scroll down and find the "Excused Absence" Form. Fill this out and we will excuse you from lab and follow up with you via email.
Join the course late? Not to worry! Email your lab instructor to introduce yourself and then check Week 1 for links to things you need to get caught up on.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Extra credit opportunities will be posted here as they become available!
ECAS Supplemental Instruction Sessions and Tutoring
The Engineering Center for Academic Success (ECAS) holds supplemental instruction sessions on Sundays for a variety of classes, including ENGR 101. You can find the schedule for ECAS SI sessions here. They also offer tutoring for select classes as well. Check that out here.
Homework

HW1: Setting Up Your Computer

Lecture

Learn How to Succeed in ENGR101

Slides / Files

Recordings

Reflection Form
Due Sat. 11:59pm

Recordings and reflection available after lecture ends.

Lab 1
Due 11:59pm Saturday

Meet and Greet / How Labs Will Work

Lab Welcome Slides

Lab Exercises

Piazza Q&A

(Walkthroughs are released on Friday night/Saturday morning)

Week 3

Announcements
Welcome to Week 3!
This week we'll start learning MATLAB and discuss why your computer is your most important engineering tool.
There will be no office hours this Monday, January 19th, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Office hours will resume Tuesday, January 20th.
Sick or tested positive for COVID? Scroll down and find the "Excused Absence" Form. Fill this out and we will excuse you from lab and follow up with you via email.
Join the course late? Not to worry! Email your lab instructor to introduce yourself and then check Week 1 for links to things you need to get caught up on. If you need extensions for assignments, scroll down and complete the Extension Request form.
Experiencing computer trouble? Contact the CAEN Help Desk on the 2nd floor of the Duderstadt Center.
Extra Credit Opportunities
(10 pts) ECoach Beginning of Term Survey: Complete the survey by January 24th at 11:59pm. Note: ECoach has one Beginning of Term Survey that covers all the courses that you are taking that use ECoach this term. So, you may have already completed this survey as part of your work for another course.
ECAS Supplemental Instruction Sessions and Tutoring
The Engineering Center for Academic Success (ECAS) holds supplemental instruction sessions on Sundays for a variety of classes, including ENGR 101. You can find the schedule for ECAS SI sessions here. They also offer tutoring for select classes as well. Check that out here.
Homework
Due 11:59pm Tuesday

HW2: Intro to MATLAB

HW3: Vectors and Matrices

HW4: Functions and Data

We strongly recommend having these homeworks done before lecture!

Lecture

Your Computer as an Engineering Tool

Slides / Files

Recordings

Reflection Form
Due Sat. 11:59pm

Recordings and reflection available after lecture ends.

Lab 2
Due 11:59pm Saturday

Matrices and Functions

Lab Welcome Slides

Lab Exercises

Autograder Submission

Piazza Q&A

(Walkthroughs are released on Friday night/Saturday morning)

Week 4

Announcements
Welcome to Week 4!
We'll be exploring logical indexing and images in MATLAB, and we'll see how to apply these to Project 1.
Project 1 has been released! Scroll down to the Projects section for the link to an overview of the project, the project specifications, and the project FAQs. You're ready to start Project 1 after you've finished the Spec Review assignment due this Saturday.
Lecture this week will introduce Project 1 and include some program planning to help you get started on Project 1. Make sure to attend!
Assessment 1 is next week. Be sure to sign up for your time slot on PrairieTest this week! See the Assessment Logistics Document for more information.
Drop-add Deadline is January 27th, 2026.
Sick or tested positive for COVID? Scroll down and find the "Excused Absence" Form. Fill this out and we will excuse you from lab and follow up with you via email.
Join the course late? Not to worry! Email your lab instructor to introduce yourself and then check Week 1 for links to things you need to get caught up on. If you need extensions for assignments, scroll down and complete the Extension Request form.
Experiencing computer trouble? Contact the CAEN Help Desk on the 2nd floor of the Duderstadt Center.
Extra Credit Opportunities
(10 pts) ECoach Assessment 1 Playbook: Complete the planning playbook by January 30th at 11:59pm.
ECAS Supplemental Instruction Sessions and Tutoring
The Engineering Center for Academic Success (ECAS) holds supplemental instruction sessions on Sundays for a variety of classes, including ENGR 101. You can find the schedule for ECAS SI sessions here. They also offer tutoring for select classes as well. Check that out here.
Homework

HW5: Logical Operations and Indexing

HW6: Working with Images

Lecture

Project 1 Overview

Slides / Files

Recordings

Reflection Form
Due Sat. 11:59pm

Recordings and reflection available after lecture ends.

Lab 3
Due 11:59pm Saturday

Logical Indexing and Images

Lab Welcome Slides

Lab Exercises

Autograder Submission

Piazza Q&A

(Walkthroughs are released on Friday night/Saturday morning)
Course Drop/Add Deadline

Make sure that you finalize your schedule today. Today is the last day to add or drop any courses without receiving a "W" on your transcript.

Spec Review

Due SAT 11:59pm

Complete the spec review assignment for Project 1 at the link below before Saturday at 11:59PM.

Spec Review

Week 5

Announcements
Welcome to Week 5!
This week we'll be looking at how we can use MATLAB to simulate a physical phenomenon and use that simulation to create helpful and informative visualizations.
Project 1 Checkpoint should be completed by Tuesday to make sure you're on track to finish the project on time. Come see us in office hours with questions! Don't wait until the last minute to start Project 1!
Assessment 1

Assessment 1 is happening this week! The Duderstadt CBTF will be open 10am-10pm Monday-Friday for you to take your assessment. You must make a reservation using the link below; walk-in appointments are not available.

Assessment Details & Logistics

PrairieTest Assessment Reservations for CBTF

Practice Assessment

Sick or tested positive for COVID? Scroll down and find the "Excused Absence" Form. Fill this out and we will excuse you from lab and follow up with you via email.
Extra Credit Opportunities
(20 pts) ENGR 101 Staff Panel: Hear from ENGR 101 GSIs and IAs on the topic of Life After Freshman Year on Wednesday, February 4th from 5:00PM-6:00PM in 1130 LBME. Come hear from our incredible student staff about their experinces transitioning to more independent living following freshman year and beyond. It's a great opportunity to meet more of your classmates and make new conmections. Additionally, you will receive extra credit for coming and staying the entire time!
ECAS Supplemental Instruction Sessions and Tutoring
The Engineering Center for Academic Success (ECAS) holds supplemental instruction sessions on Sundays for a variety of classes, including ENGR 101. You can find the schedule for ECAS SI sessions here. They also offer tutoring for select classes as well. Check that out here.
Homework

HW7: Plotting and Figures

HW8: Statistics and Simulation

HW9: Advanced Plotting and Data Visualization

Lecture

Programming Application: Beam Deflection

Slides / Files

Recordings

Reflection Form
Due Sat. 11:59pm

Recordings and reflection available after lecture ends.

Lab 4
Due 11:59pm Saturday

Plotting, Statistics, and Simulation

Lab Welcome Slides

Lab Exercises

Autograder Submission

Piazza Q&A

(Walkthroughs are released on Friday night/Saturday morning)
Assessment 1

Make sure you know when your reservation is to take Assessment 1! Don't forget because there are no late submissions for assessments.

Project 1 Checkpoint

You should have the Project 1 Checkpoint completed by today to stay on pace for Project 1.

Week 6

Announcements
Welcome to Week 6!
We'll be exploring some new data types and data structures in MATLAB this week. We'll then see how we can use these new data structures in Project 2.
Project 1 is due Tuesday. Come see us in office hours with questions! Don't wait until the last minute to submit!
Assessment consultations for Assessment 1 are available during in-person office hours this week. If you would like to go through your answers for Assessment 1, or are interested in retaking Assessment 1, please come see us in office hours.
Assessment 2 is next week. Be sure to sign up for your time slot on PrairieTest this week! See the Assessment Logistics Document for more information.
Project 2 will be released this week. We will send a Canvas announcement when Project 2 has been released.
Sick or tested positive for COVID? Scroll down and find the "Excused Absence" Form. Fill this out and we will excuse you from lab and follow up with you via email.
Extra Credit Opportunities
(10 pts) ECoach Assessment 1 Reflection: Complete the reflection playbook by February 16 at 11:59pm.
ECAS Supplemental Instruction Sessions and Tutoring
The Engineering Center for Academic Success (ECAS) holds supplemental instruction sessions on Sundays for a variety of classes, including ENGR 101. You can find the schedule for ECAS SI sessions here. They also offer tutoring for select classes as well. Check that out here.
Homework

HW10: Strings and Cell Arrays

HW11: MATLAB Tables

Lecture

Project 2 Overview

Slides / Files

Recordings

Reflection Form
Due Sat. 11:59pm

Recordings and reflection available after lecture ends.

Lab 5
Due 11:59pm Saturday

Cell Arrays, Tables, Data Visualization

Lab Welcome Slides

Lab Exercises

Autograder Submission

Piazza Q&A

(Walkthroughs are released on Friday night/Saturday morning)
Project 1 Due at 11:59pm

Submit Project 1 by today to earn up to full credit.

Spec Review

Due SAT 11:59pm

Complete the spec review assignment for Project 2 at the link below before Saturday at 11:59PM.

Spec Review

Week 7

Announcements
Welcome to Week 7!
We'll be learning about how we can use computing to improve society and to reveal bias in algorithms.
Project 2 Checkpoint should be completed by Tuesday to make sure you're on track to finish the project on time. Come see us in office hours with questions! Don't wait until the last minute to start Project 2!
Assessment 2

Assessment 2 is happening this week! The Duderstadt CBTF will be open 10am-10pm Monday-Friday for you to take your assessment. You must make a reservation using the link below; walk-in appointments are not available.

Assessment Details & Logistics

PrairieTest Assessment Reservations for CBTF

Practice Assessment

Sick or tested positive for COVID? Scroll down and find the "Excused Absence" Form. Fill this out and we will excuse you from lab and follow up with you via email.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Extra credit opportunities will be posted here as they become available!
ECAS Supplemental Instruction Sessions and Tutoring
The Engineering Center for Academic Success (ECAS) holds supplemental instruction sessions on Sundays for a variety of classes, including ENGR 101. You can find the schedule for ECAS SI sessions here. They also offer tutoring for select classes as well. Check that out here.
Homework

HW12: Applying Computing to Society

Lecture

Algorithmic Bias

Slides / Files

Recordings

Reflection Form
Due Sat. 11:59pm

Recordings and reflection available after lecture ends.

Lab 6
Due 11:59pm Saturday

Tables and Data Analysis

Lab Welcome Slides

Lab Exercises

Autograder Submission

Piazza Q&A

(Walkthroughs are released on Friday night/Saturday morning)
Assessment 2

Make sure you know when your reservation is to take Assessment 2! Don't forget because there are no late submissions for assessments.

Project 2 Checkpoint

You should have the Project 2 Checkpoint completed by today to stay on pace for Project 2.

Professor Office Hours

Office Hours with Prof. Alford

Come talk about anything at all (this course, other courses, why Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering is the best major, why 1995 was the best year ever for movies ... you know, the important stuff!). This is a super casual thing -- come on by!

Friday 12:30-1:00pm

B521 Pierpont

Office Hours with Prof. Begley

Come chat about life at Michigan, what it's like working in a research lab, or why guinea pigs make the best pets.

Tuesday, 11:30 am-12:30 pm

B521 Pierpont

Staff Office Hours

Guide to ENGR 101 Office Hours

Read this guide to office hours to help you get the most out of your office hours time in ENGR 101.

Why You Should Go to Office Hours

This student-facing post from Arizona State University talks about office hours: why to use them, how to prepare for them, etc. We hope you'll come visit us in our office hours, and we want to emphasize that you can come to discuss course-related questions or concerns, but you can also come to ask us about majors, about your resume, etc. We are very excited to meet with you 1:1!

Office Hours in B521 Pierpont

You can join these office hours without an appointment. You can stay as long as you want, so come hang out and get some ENGR 101 work done with us! This schedule will not change from week-to-week, so feel free to plan around this!

Day Schedule

Course Essentials

Syllabus

All the details

Course Norms

Norms and expectations for meetings, email, and other forms of communication in the course

People

Meet the course staff!

FAQ

Answers to common questions about ENGR 101

Guide to PrairieLearn

Intro to the platform we will use for many of our assignments.

Assessment Logistics

Everything to know about how to take your assessments

Installation Guide for ENGR 101

You will do the installation as part of homework assignments, but you can find it here, too, if you need it later!

Troubleshooting Common Problems

[Windows] Installing WSL/Ubuntu

[Windows] Opening a folder in WSL in VS Code

Request Forms

Excused Lab Absence Request (Illness)

Request an excused lab absence due to illness

Regrade Request

Request a regrade or report a grade discrepancy

Projects

The Autograder

Project code is submitted to the autograder; the autograder is linked at the top of this course webpage. Read this guide to the autograder to learn more about using the autograder.

The Honor Code

All project code is subjected to our cheat checking procedures. If we find sufficient evidence of cheating, we are required to submit a report to the Honor Council. You can learn more about what happens with Honor Council reports by watching this video from the Engineering Center for Academic Success.

Project 1

Dealing with Radiation

Due Tue, February 10th

Overview ( slides )

Specifications

FAQ

Schedule of Topics

Week 1

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
No homework due this week
No lecture this week
No labs this week

Week 2

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Setting Up Your Computer
Homework 1 due
Lecture 1: Learn how to succeed in ENGR 101
Lab 1: Meet and Greet / How Labs Will Work
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 3

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
MLK Day
Intro to MATLAB; Vectors and Matrices; Functions; Working with Data
Homeworks 2-4 due		 Lecture 2: Your Computer as an Engineering Tool
Lab 2: Matrices and Functions
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 4

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Logical Operations and Indexing; Working with Images
Homeworks 5-6 due
Lecture 3: Project 1 Overview Project 1 Released
Drop/Add Deadline
Lab 3: Logical Indexing and Images
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due Project 1 spec review due

Week 5

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Plotting and Figures; Statistics and Simulation; Advanced Plotting and Data Visualization
Homeworks 7-9 due 		Assessment #1 happens this week

You will be able to select a time slot that fits your schedule!
Lecture 4: Programming Application: Beam Deflection Project 1 Checkpoint should be completed by today
Lab 4: Plotting, Statistics, and Simulation
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 6

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Strings and Cell Arrays; MATLAB Tables
Homeworks 10-11 due
Lecture 5: Project 2 Overview Project 1 Due
Project 2 Released
Lab 5: Cell Arrays, Tables, Data Visualization
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due Project 2 spec review due

Week 7

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Applying Computing to Society
Homework 12 due 		Assessment #2 happens this week

You will be able to select a time slot that fits your schedule!
Lecture 6: Algorithmic Bias Project 2 Checkpoint should be completed by today
Lab 6: More Tables & Data Analysis
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 8

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Homework Topic TBA
Homework 13 due
Lecture 7: Programming Application: Animation in MATLAB Project 2 Due
Lab 7: Goodbye MATLAB... Hello C++!
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 9

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Spring Break!

Week 10

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Intro to C++, More C++ Basics and Branching, Iteration
Homeworks 14-16 due
Lecture 8: Your Computer as an Engineering Tool, Part 2
Lab 8: Getting Started with C++
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 11

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Functions in C++ ; Strings, Streams and I/O
Homeworks 17-18 due
Lecture 9: Program Planning and Debugging
Lab 9: File I/O & Functions
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 12

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Vectors; Program Design
Homeworks 19-20 due
Lecture 10: Project 3 Overview Project 3 Released
Lab 10: Vectors and Program Design
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due Project 3 spec review due

Week 13

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
Structs, Vectors of Vectors
Homeworks 21-22 due		 Assessment #3 happens this week

You will be able to select a time slot that fits your schedule!
Lecture 11: Programming Application: House Hunting Project 3 Checkpoint should be completed by today
Lab 11: Data Structures (Containerships)
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 14

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
No homework due this week
Lecture 12: Project 4 Overview Project 3 Due
Project 4 Released
Lab 12: Programming Practice (Energy Management)
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due Project 4 spec review due

Week 15

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
No homework due this week Assessment #4 happens this week

You will be able to select a time slot that fits your schedule!
Lecture 13: Programming Application: TBD Project 4 Checkpoint should be completed by today
Lab 13: Programming Practice (Ottendorf Cipher)
Lecture reflection due Lab exercises due

Week 16

Homework Topic

Lecture Topic

Lab Topic

Projects

Assessments
No homework due this week
Lecture 14: Semester Wrap-up Project 4 Due
No lab this week
All remaining late submissions and assessment retakes must be submitted by TODAY at 11:59 PM!

Interested in Being an IA or GSI?

Interested in being an IA or GSI for ENGR 101? Fill out this "I'm Interested" form and we'll send you an application the next time we are hiring! We do hiring in March for the upcoming fall term, and we do hiring in November for the upcoming winter term.