ENGR 1620

Dr. Guilford was an excellent professor. This class is very different than other 1620s. Other 1620s focus on the different types of engineering and are minimal work. An easy A. This is not that class. However, if you want a gratifying, learn-a-lot, practical class, this one fits that. It's very hands-on. It's all centered around one "choose-your-own" project where you identify a problem and build a solution for it from scratch. No prior experience is necessary. At the end (hopefully) of the semester, you present a functional prototype that is all yours (to patent, sell, do nothing, etc.). It's a lot of work spent in Stacey Hall (the workshop) outside of class, but once shop starts, class is only 1 day a week. You end up spending around 2-3 hours per day a few days a week (~7/week). Overall, I would highly recommend this class if you're willing to work, because the end goal is very satisfying.

This definitely one of the hardest intro to engineering sections, but also the most useful. Unlike other sections we actually learned the engineering design process, and used it to actually develop an invention. I learned so many useful shop skills that will help me throughout life. Professor Guilford is insanely smart and efficient, and is always available to answer questions, whether engineering related or advising related. I suggest this course if you are genuinely interested in being immersed in the engineering process.

This class is all about self interest, and that's something really cool for a first year class. He just guides you along the way. You as the students get in groups and identify a problem, brainstorm a solution, and then actually get to build and test your prototype. The walk/bike to Stacey Hall can be a bit rough/annoying once in a while, but this class is totally worth it! I'm very glad I got this section of the course! (Be careful and always read ALL of the instructions/directions he give you for an assignment!!)

Guilford's section of 1620 is definitely harder and more time consuming than other sections. He tells you this straight up the first day of class, but it's still easy to get an A. When I took it, it was a semester long team-based project with the goal of building some product that hasn't been invented before. Sounds impossible, but it isn't. You definitely put in a lot of work to the project, but coming out with some working product is pretty amazing. I also have talked about this project in every interview I've ever had -- it's always a hit.