Explore What Drives You—
Find What Ignites You.
The First-Year Rossin Engineering (FYRE) program breaks from the traditional "one-size-fits-all" engineering model, providing a launchpad for immediate discovery, creativity, and real-world impact.
A New Standard in Engineering Education
Today's engineering challenges—from sustainable energy and resilient infrastructure to ethical AI and healthcare technology—require graduates who can solve complex, interdisciplinary problems.
FYRE prepares students to meet those demands by combining rigorous fundamentals with early, repeated exposure to real problems and team practice. This approach to first-year engineering curricula accelerates professional identity, builds transferable workplace skills, and produces graduates who are practice-ready for modern employers.
Integrated Practica
Intensive project-based core challenges
Competency Assessments
Showcase skill mastery with portfolios
Co-curricular Pathways
Direct integration into design and makerspaces
Jackson Lab: New Home for FYRE
Thanks to a generous $10M gift, the Jackson Laboratory in Packard Lab will serve as the physical and collaborative hub for FYRE's innovative curriculum starting in 2026.
Program Leadership
Christina Haden
Co-Director, FYRE Initiative
Eric Obeysekare
Co-Director, FYRE Initiative
FYRE Academic Modules
Our seven-week modules blend technical fundamentals with collaborative experimentation so you learn by doing from day one.
Harnessing Agentic AI for Engineers
Even with no prior programming experience, learn Python fundamentals to design and build an interactive AI agent powered by cutting-edge APIs. Gain key insights into Large Language Models, LLM tokenization, and vector spaces.
Design & Making Foundations
Bring physical concepts to life using makerspace tools. Build modern engineering models involving 3D printing, laser cutting, and Arduino microcontrollers while highlighting safe, iterative design principles.
Your First Year as an Engineering Student
Most Rossin College students share a core curriculum in their first year. This common foundation provides exposure to multiple topics to help guide you in selecting the perfect major without feeling rushed.
Let's Get FYRE'd Up!
Support the next generation of engineers by donating to the First Year Rossin Engineering (FYRE) initiative.
Your gift supplies hands-on lab kits, upgraded maker tooling, and essential resources that empower future innovators on day one.