Academic Excellence Workshops

What are Academic Excellence Workshops (AEWs)? 

Academic Excellence Workshops are optional 1-credit supplemental courses taken in conjunction with core engineering courses in math, computer science, chemistry, and statistics. AEWs meet weekly for two-hour collaborative problem-solving sessions. Designed to enhance student understanding, the workshops are facilitated by undergraduate peer educators, and feature group work on problems at or above the level of course instruction. AEWs are based on research showing that cooperative methods (as opposed to an individual, competitive approach to learning) promote higher grades, greater persistence, deeper comprehension, more enjoyment in learning, and more positive attitudes toward academic work.

Academic Excellence Workshops are in place for the following classes:  (AEWs begin September 10, 2024, for the fall semester):

  • Math 1910, 1920, 2930, 2940
  • Chem 2090
  • CS 1110, CS 1112, CS 2110, CS 2800, CS 3110, and CS 3410
  • ENGRD 2020

The workshops function as one-credit courses and are graded "S/U" based on attendance. Those who miss more than three workshops (including sessions missed because of late enrollment) will automatically receive a "U" grade. Find AEWs under the "ENGRG" course code.   

Also, while no physics AEWs are offered, LSC supplementary courses for Physics 1112 and 2213 are provided through the Physics Learning Strategies Center.

AEW Opportunities

The Academic Excellence Workshop Program is sponsored by John A. Swanson '61, BME '62, MS ME '63.   

Questions? 

Engineering Learning Initiatives
College of Engineering
Cornell University
175 Rhodes Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
eng-learning@cornell.edu