CSE instructors win ENGR 100 Section of the Year

A course taught by Peter Chen, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and professor of computer science and engineering (CSE) at the University of Michigan, has been awarded the ENGR 100 Section of the Year Award. This recognition, given by the College of Engineering, honors the teaching team’s excellence and innovation in teaching ENGR 100.250: Microprocessors and Toys.

An ENGR 100 course is required for all first-years in the College of Engineering at U-M as a part of their exploration of the field of engineering. With 24 total sections, the course explores various disciplines and is designed to provide new students with a foundation in engineering principles. The course sections challenge students to apply the knowledge they gain in practical contexts, preparing them for more advanced studies.

The ENGR 100 Section of the Year Award recognizes course sections that are able to simulate real-world engineering environments and prioritize teamwork, communication, and creativity. The award is based entirely on nominations from students who have taken the class, highlighting the course’s impact on their educational journey. Selection criteria include the number of nominations received, the content of the nomination statements, and course evaluations.

Chen, along with team members Jaccob Bell (CSE master’s student), William De Herder, Sami Fayyad (CSE master’s student), Joshua Liu (computer engineering undergrad), and Clay Walker, have created an immersive and engaging learning experience where students explore the fundamentals of computing systems, from computer architecture to software design. 

ENGR 100.250: Microprocessors and Toys demystifies the inner workings of computing systems, covering everything from number representation and digital logic to assembly-language programming. Over the course of the semester, students build their own complete computing system, including hardware and software, as well as educational toys powered by microprocessors that they design themselves.

Chen emphasized the course’s unique ability to bridge low- and high-level computing elements. “I think the kind of students that should take this class are those who are intensely interested in how computers work,” he said. “This course fits in that sweet spot, between low-level transistors and high-level graphical user interfaces, and they build everything in between.”

The course also places a strong emphasis on technical communication skills, with students working in teams, presenting ideas, and writing professional reports throughout the term.

Teaching Professor and Kurt Metzger Collegiate Lecturer Mark Brehob lauded the course’s depth, as well as the effort Chen has invested in developing it. “I’ve estimated that Pete has put at least 4,000 hours into developing the tools associated with the course,” he said.

Another CSE faculty member, Prof. Manos Kapritsos, likewise shared his admiration. “I can attest firsthand that it is an amazing class,” he said. “Its goal seems almost fantastic: to give students an understanding of the entire stack, from applications to hardware. And yet, it achieves that goal.”