There is limited space available in the INSPIRE program; hence you must first be invited to participate. If you have been invited and would like to join, please respond to the invitation email, indicating that you would like to participate in the program. You will then be given an Approval code for Fall Engr 13A, the Fall quarter INSPIRE seminar. You will also be placed into a peer group with a peer mentor based on your declared engineering major.
No! As long as you are taking a full load (at least 12 units), the seminar and INSPIRE program are included with your tuition. Further, not only is there no cost, but we will pay you to participate! In 2024-25, INSPIRE participants will receive $300, paid as $150 after successfully participating in the Fall quarter seminar and social activities, and as $150 after successfully participating in the Winter quarter seminar and social activities.
Yes! In the 2024-25 academic year, INSPIRE students will receive $300 for their participation. They will receive $150 after completing the Fall quarter requirements, and another $150 after completing the Winter quarter requirements. Plus, there will be free food at many events!
The transition to college is different for everyone. But a common experience for nearly everyone is that the courses are likely to be more challenging than your high school courses. It can also take time to meet the other students in your major and find a peer group. INSPIRE will help with both of these challenges. It will give you the information you need to navigate UCSB, and it will immediately connect you with a group of peers (other first-years) in your major, as well as peer mentors (juniors and/or seniors) in your major who have successfully tackled the same challenges you are about to face. The two components together (UCSB navigation skills + a peer group/peer mentor) will help to quickly set you on a path for success at UCSB, right at the beginning of your college journey! Don’t wait until your second or third year to connect with others in your major and find out all UCSB has to offer - do it right from the very first day!
The seminar will meet for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes per week. There will occasionally be something to read outside of class time, but we do not expect there to be “homework” beyond some light reading. There will also be social gatherings with your peer mentor and peer group, which will often include free food or a fun activity. Activities outside of the seminar time will be a time that each peer group agrees on, and will not be every week.
There will occasionally be something to read outside of class time, but we do not expect there to be “homework” beyond some light reading.
The Disabled Students Program (DSP) offers a robust program to accommodate students with a wide variety of documented needs. Learn more here.
Yes! Both Engr 13A and 13B will earn you a unit each towards your graduation credit requirements. UCSB students need 180 units to graduate, and these courses will count towards those units. Also, every UCSB student must take 12 credits per quarter. The one unit for Engr 13A and 13B will count towards these units.
Two things: participate in a one hour seminar on Fridays, and participate in fun social activities with your mentor group and the full 2024-25 INSPIRE cohort.
In Fall 2024, the INSPIRE seminar will be held as Engr 13A, which will meet Fridays from 9:45-10:45 in ILP 2207. Weekly meetings will consist of engaging activities to learn about campus resources, meet other first years in your major, and learn “the ins and outs” of UCSB, your major, and how to succeed in first year coursework.
In addition to the seminar, there will occasionally be social activities with your peer group and mentor at times mutually agreed upon by your peer group. This may be lunch, coffee, or other informal get-togethers. These are optional but participation is highly encouraged.
In Winter 2025, the INSPIRE seminar will be held as Engr 13B. It will consist of guest speakers, including UCSB Engineering alumni, faculty, and local engineering industry leaders. Talks will be about career and internship opportunities in INSPIRE majors, to help give students a vision for their future in the discipline. The time and location for the Engr 13B seminar is not yet determined, but it will likely be on Fridays.
Similar to Fall quarter, there will also be occasional social activities during Winter quarter with your peer group and mentor at times mutually agreed upon by your peer group.
No. To be in the INSPIRE program, you need to participate in the seminar both quarters.
INSPIRE is a new program, being offered for the first time in Fall 2024. We are beginning the 2024-25 academic year by offering participation to first-year students enrolled in computer science and chemical engineering majors. Our plan is to grow the program each year. Currently, we are planning that in 2025-26, INSPIRE will also be open to computer engineering first-year students, and in 2026-27, INSPIRE will be open to first-year students in all engineering majors. At this time, because capacity is limited, you must be invited in order to participate.