Course Listing

For a snapshot of courses being offered by Harvard School of Engineering over the next four years, visit our Multi-Year Course Planning tool.

 

Physics of Sports

ENG-SCI 20R
2024 Fall

Kelly Miller
Tuesday, Thursday
11:15am to 12:30pm

This project-based course will introduce the physical concepts that can be applied to various human athletic endeavors. Students will focus on analyzing the dynamics of a specific sport/ physical activity through a project that they develop. This will allow students to construct physical models with an increasing level of realism that can used to analyze sporting events. Mathematics is the language of physics, and its use will be ever-present throughout the semester. However, we will focus more on the application of the laws of physics to understand the world of athletics. Students will learn the use of motion trackers and sensors to analyze motion in its dynamical and kinematic aspects.

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Flavor Molecules of Food Fermentation: Exploration and Inquiry

ENG-SCI 24
2024 Spring

Pia Sorensen
Monday, Wednesday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Microorganisms produce a diverse array of specialized small molecules as part of their metabolic processes. In this course we will study the production, properties, and characterization of these molecules through the lens of food fermentation. In particular, we will focus on the small molecules that contribute taste and aroma in fermented foods. Students will experience the scientific inquiry process in a creative way by designing and implementing their own research project based on a fermented food of their choosing. Still a field with much potential for discovery, interested students are invited to continue their research project in the summer.

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Flavor Molecules of Food Fermentation: Exploration and Inquiry

ENG-SCI 24
2025 Spring

Pia Sorensen
Monday, Wednesday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Microorganisms produce a diverse array of specialized small molecules as part of their metabolic processes. In this course we will study the production, properties, and characterization of these molecules through the lens of food fermentation. In particular, we will focus on the small molecules that contribute taste and aroma in fermented foods. Students will experience the scientific inquiry process in a creative way by designing and implementing their own research project based on a fermented food of their choosing. Still a field with much potential for discovery, interested students are invited to continue their research project in the summer.

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Computer-Aided Machine Design

ENG-SCI 51
2024 Fall

Seymur Hasanov
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
9:45am to 11:00am

An introductory course in the design, fabrication, and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical devices. Topics include: Engineering graphics and tolerances; Structural design and material selection; Machine elements and two-dimensional mechanisms; DC motors; Design methodology. Emphasis on hands-on work and team design projects using professional solid modeling CAD software and numerically controlled machine tools.

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Computer-Aided Machine Design

ENG-SCI 51
2024 Spring

Seymur Hasanov
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

An introductory course in the design, fabrication, and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical devices. Topics include: Engineering graphics and tolerances; Structural design and material selection; Machine elements and two-dimensional mechanisms; DC motors; Design methodology. Emphasis on hands-on work and team design projects using professional solid modeling CAD software and numerically controlled machine tools.

Course Website

Computer-Aided Machine Design

ENG-SCI 51
2025 Spring

Seymur Hasanov
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

An introductory course in the design, fabrication, and assembly of mechanical and electromechanical devices. Topics include: Engineering graphics and tolerances; Structural design and material selection; Machine elements and two-dimensional mechanisms; DC motors; Design methodology. Emphasis on hands-on work and team design projects using professional solid modeling CAD software and numerically controlled machine tools.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2024 Spring

Josh Lerner, George Clay
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

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Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2024 Spring

Richard Bennett, Spencer Rascoff
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2025 Spring

Josh Lerner
Monday, Wednesday
11:15am to 12:30pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Practical and Academic Insights

ENG-SCI 94
2025 Spring

Josh Lerner
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Entrepreneurship is increasingly transforming our society and economy. This course aims to provide for undergraduates an introduction to entrepreneurship and its implications for innovation. The class will primarily consist of case study discussions, but will include some traditional lecture sessions that build on academic papers to provide more frameworks. As such, it draws primarily on materials from the introductory MBA course at Harvard Business School, “The Entrepreneurial Manager” (TEM). Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the cases.

Course Website

Startup R & D

ENG-SCI 95R
2024 Fall

Paul Bottino
Monday
3:45pm to 6:30pm

Students do field-based work in entrepreneurship to develop their existing startup and explore new ideas and opportunities for startup creation. The course is for student-founders seeking to advance their innovation experience in a supportive community of peer founders. Students may work individually; teams with a working history are preferred. Requires self-directed, independent work and active outreach to mentors, customers, and partners for guidance and feedback in addition to that provided by the instructor and teaching staff.  Students share their work regularly and engage in a peer-to-peer feedback forum. Coursework is customized to the needs of each student and their startup role and includes development of product, technology, market, business, organization and leadership. See: https://tech.seas.harvard.edu/rad to apply for instructor permission to enroll.

Course Website

Startup R & D

ENG-SCI 95R
2024 Spring

Paul Bottino
Wednesday
3:45pm to 6:30pm

Students do field-based work in entrepreneurship to develop their existing startup and explore new ideas and opportunities for startup creation. The course is for student-founders seeking to advance their innovation experience in a supportive community of peer founders. Students may work individually; teams with a working history are preferred. Requires self-directed, independent work and active outreach to mentors, customers, and partners for guidance and feedback in addition to that provided by the instructor and teaching staff.  Students share their work regularly and engage in a peer-to-peer feedback forum. Coursework is customized to the needs of each student and their startup role and includes development of product, technology, market, business, organization and leadership. See: https://tech.seas.harvard.edu/rad to apply for instructor permission to enroll.

Course Website

Startup R & D

ENG-SCI 95R
2025 Spring

Paul Bottino
Wednesday
3:45pm to 6:30pm

Students do field-based work in entrepreneurship to develop their existing startup and explore new ideas and opportunities for startup creation. The course is for student-founders seeking to advance their innovation experience in a supportive community of peer founders. Students may work individually; teams with a working history are preferred. Requires self-directed, independent work and active outreach to mentors, customers, and partners for guidance and feedback in addition to that provided by the instructor and teaching staff.  Students share their work regularly and engage in a peer-to-peer feedback forum. Coursework is customized to the needs of each student and their startup role and includes development of product, technology, market, business, organization and leadership. See: https://tech.seas.harvard.edu/rad to apply for instructor permission to enroll.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2024 Fall

Gu-Yeon Wei, Chris Lombardo
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2024 Spring

Samir Mitragotri, Fawwaz Habbal
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2024 Spring

Chris Lombardo, Gu-Yeon Wei
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

ENG-SCI 96
2025 Spring

Samir Mitragotri, Robert D. Howe
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 3:30pm

Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

Course Website

Engineering Design Projects

ENG-SCI 100HFA
2024 Fall

Katia Bertoldi
Tuesday
2:15pm to 3:30pm

Individual engineering design projects which demonstrate mastery of engineering knowledge and techniques. Each student will pursue an appropriate capstone project which involves both engineering design and quantitative analysis. This culminates in a final oral presentation and final report/thesis. Students must complete both parts of this course, fall and spring, in order to receive credit.

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Engineering Design Projects

ENG-SCI 100HFB
2024 Spring

Katia Bertoldi

Individual engineering design projects which demonstrate mastery of engineering knowledge and techniques. Each student will pursue an appropriate capstone project which involves both engineering design and quantitative analysis. This culminates in a final oral presentation and final report/thesis. Students must complete both parts of this course, fall and spring, in order to receive credit.

Course Website

Engineering Design Projects

ENG-SCI 100HFB
2025 Spring

Katia Bertoldi

Individual engineering design projects which demonstrate mastery of engineering knowledge and techniques. Each student will pursue an appropriate capstone project which involves both engineering design and quantitative analysis. This culminates in a final oral presentation and final report/thesis. Students must complete both parts of this course, fall and spring, in order to receive credit.

Course Website

Humanitarian Design Projects

ENG-SCI 105HFR
2024 Fall

Chris Lombardo
Tuesday
6:00pm to 7:15pm

Multi-year long team projects that provide an engineering experience working with partner communities on real-world problems. Projects provide exposure to problem definition, quantitative analysis, modeling, generation of creative solutions utilizing appropriate technology, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. These projects will be implemented with our project partners after the appropriate design and approvals have been obtained.

Course Website

Humanitarian Design Projects

ENG-SCI 105HFR
2024 Spring

Chris Lombardo
Tuesday
6:00pm to 7:15pm

Multi-year long team projects that provide an engineering experience working with partner communities on real-world problems. Projects provide exposure to problem definition, quantitative analysis, modeling, generation of creative solutions utilizing appropriate technology, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. These projects will be implemented with our project partners after the appropriate design and approvals have been obtained.

Course Website

Humanitarian Design Projects

ENG-SCI 105HFR
2025 Spring

Chris Lombardo
Tuesday
6:00pm to 7:15pm

Multi-year long team projects that provide an engineering experience working with partner communities on real-world problems. Projects provide exposure to problem definition, quantitative analysis, modeling, generation of creative solutions utilizing appropriate technology, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. These projects will be implemented with our project partners after the appropriate design and approvals have been obtained.

Course Website

Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids

ENG-SCI 120
2024 Spring

Joost Vlassak
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

A first course in the mechanical sciences that introduces elements of continuum mechanics and explains how materials and structures stretch, bend, twist, shake, buckle, and break. Definitions of stress and strain. Strain-displacement relations. Stress-strain behavior of materials. Torsion, beam theory with applications to beam deflections, buckling, and energy methods. Statically determinate and indeterminate structures. Three laboratory sessions required. Strong emphasis on analytical skills and mathematics.

Course Website

Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids

ENG-SCI 120
2025 Spring

Mark Coughlin
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

A first course in the mechanical sciences that introduces elements of continuum mechanics and explains how materials and structures stretch, bend, twist, shake, buckle, and break. Definitions of stress and strain. Strain-displacement relations. Stress-strain behavior of materials. Torsion, beam theory with applications to beam deflections, buckling, and energy methods. Statically determinate and indeterminate structures. Three laboratory sessions required. Strong emphasis on analytical skills and mathematics.

Course Website

Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Transport Processes

ENG-SCI 123
2024 Spring

Zachary Schiffer
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
10:30am to 11:45am

Atomistic-Mesoscale-Continuum Fluids and Flows; Dimensional Analysis; Diffusion and Heat Transfer Processes; Fluid kinematics; Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of Flows; Mass conservation and potential flows; Momentum conservation and the Navier-Stokes equations; Vorticity and Vortices; Lift and Drag in Aerodynamics; Flows in Pipes and Channels; Elementary concepts of Turbulent flows.

Course Website

Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Transport Processes

ENG-SCI 123
2025 Spring

Zachary Schiffer
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
10:30am to 11:45am

Atomistic-Mesoscale-Continuum Fluids and Flows; Dimensional Analysis; Diffusion and Heat Transfer Processes; Fluid kinematics; Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of Flows; Mass conservation and potential flows; Momentum conservation and the Navier-Stokes equations; Vorticity and Vortices; Lift and Drag in Aerodynamics; Flows in Pipes and Channels; Elementary concepts of Turbulent flows.

Course Website

Mechanical Systems

ENG-SCI 125
2024 Fall

Boris Kozinsky
Tuesday, Thursday
10:30am to 11:45am

Modeling and analysis of mechanical systems. Topics include 3D rigid body dynamics, resonance, damping, frequency response, Laplace transform methods, Lagrange's equations, multiple degree-of-freedom systems and an introduction to control and continuous systems. Analytical modeling will be supplemented with numerical simulations and lab experiments. Laboratory exercises will explore vibration, and stabilization using data acquisition systems.

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Computational Solid and Structural Mechanics

ENG-SCI 128
2024 Fall

Katia Bertoldi
Tuesday, Thursday
9:00am to 10:15am

Introduction to finite element methods for analysis of steady-state and transient problems in solid and structural mechanics. Implementation of simple MATLAB codes and use of existing general-purpose software (ABAQUS). Final project offers opportunities to extend focus to fluid mechanics and heat transfer and to explore additional software (e.g. COMSOL, FEniCS), if desired.

Course Website

Computational Solid and Structural Mechanics

ENG-SCI 128
2024 Spring

Katia Bertoldi
Tuesday, Thursday
10:30am to 11:45am

Introduction to finite element methods for analysis of steady-state and transient problems in solid and structural mechanics. Implementation of simple MATLAB codes and use of existing general-purpose software (ABAQUS). Final project offers opportunities to extend focus to fluid mechanics and heat transfer and to explore additional software (e.g. COMSOL, FEniCS), if desired.

Course Website

Innovation in Science and Engineering: Conference Course

ENG-SCI 139
2024 Fall

David Weitz
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

This class integrates perspectives from leading innovators with collaborative practice and theory of innovation to teach and inspire you to be more innovative in your life and career. Our approach is to engage with leaders and learn their perspectives and align this with innovation sprints where you learn the best tools, processes, and methods to innovate. You can see a course overview here https://youtu.be/CqfvXf33TCE.  Find out more information on Instagram @engsci139 or https://www.instagram.com/engsci139/

 

Course Website

Introduction to Robotics

ENG-SCI 159
2024 Fall

Justin Werfel
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Introduction to computer-controlled robotic manipulators. Topics include coordinate frames and transformations, forward and inverse kinematic solutions to open-chain manipulators, the Jacobian, dynamics and control, and motion planning. In addition, special topics will be introduced such as computer vision, soft robotics, surgical robots, MEMS and microrobotics, and biomimetic systems. Laboratory exercises will provide experience with industrial robot programming and robot simulation and control.

Course Website

Engineering Thermodynamics

ENG-SCI 181
2024 Fall

Zhigang Suo
Monday, Wednesday
3:00pm to 4:15pm

Introduction to classical engineering thermodynamics. Topics: Zeroth Law and temperature. Properties of single-component gases, liquids, and solids. Equations of state for ideal and simple nonideal substances. First Law, heat and heat transfer, work, internal energy, enthalpy. Second Law, Third Law, entropy, free energy, exergy. Heat engines and important engineering applications such as refrigerators, power cycles. Properties and simple models of solutions. Phase and chemical equilibrium in multicomponent systems; chemical potential. Electrochemistry, batteries, fuel cells. Laboratory included.

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Introduction to Heat Transfer

ENG-SCI 183
2024 Spring

Frans Spaepen
Monday, Wednesday
9:00am to 10:15am

The macroscopic description of the fundamentals of heat transfer and their application to practical problems in energy conversion, electronics and living systems with an emphasis on developing a physical and analytical understanding of conductive, convective and radiative heat transfer. Emphasis will be given to problem solving skills based on applying governing principles, mathematical models and physical intuition.

Topics include: steady state heat conduction in 1, 2 and 3D; transient heat conduction in 1D and 3D; introduction to convective heat transfer, forced convection as well as free convection; heat exchange analysis and design; elements of radiative heat transfer. There will be an emphasis on physical basis of heat transfer with mathematical description where appropriate, as well as using commercially available computer COMSOL software. Course includes (i) classes and problem sets, (ii) COMSOL simulations and (iii) a semester-long, multi-disciplinary team project.

 

Course Website

Introduction to Heat Transfer

ENG-SCI 183
2025 Spring


Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

The macroscopic description of the fundamentals of heat transfer and their application to practical problems in energy conversion, electronics and living systems with an emphasis on developing a physical and analytical understanding of conductive, convective and radiative heat transfer. Emphasis will be given to problem solving skills based on applying governing principles, mathematical models and physical intuition.

Topics include: steady state heat conduction in 1, 2 and 3D; transient heat conduction in 1D and 3D; introduction to convective heat transfer, forced convection as well as free convection; heat exchange analysis and design; elements of radiative heat transfer. There will be an emphasis on physical basis of heat transfer with mathematical description where appropriate, as well as using commercially available computer COMSOL software. Course includes (i) classes and problem sets, (ii) COMSOL simulations and (iii) a semester-long, multi-disciplinary team project.

 

Course Website

Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering

ENG-SCI 190
2024 Spring

Xin Li
Tuesday, Thursday
9:00am to 10:15am

Introduction to the structure, property, and application of materials. Crystal structure and defects. Structure property relation and crystal symmetry. Phase transformation, phase diagram, diffusion. Principles and examples for a variety of engineering applications of electrical, optical, and especially energy storage and conversion materials.

Course Website

Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering

ENG-SCI 190
2025 Spring

Xin Li
Tuesday, Thursday
9:00am to 10:15am

Introduction to the structure, property, and application of materials. Crystal structure and defects. Structure property relation and crystal symmetry. Phase transformation, phase diagram, diffusion. Principles and examples for a variety of engineering applications of electrical, optical, and especially energy storage and conversion materials.

Course Website

Materials Selection and Design

ENG-SCI 192
2024 Fall

David Clarke
Tuesday, Thursday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

The repertory of materials available to engineers today and embodied in engineering systems includes tens of thousands of different materials, as well as naturally occurring ones. This course addresses why specific materials are selected for particular applications and the rational basis for their selection. The course is intended to serve as an introduction to the principles and methodology of selecting materials for engineering components based on the functionality and purpose of the component in different system applications and operating environments. The selection specification includes satisfying a variety of objectives, such as minimizing weight, cost (financial as well as environmental), end of life recycling and material scarcity.

Course Website

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

ENG-SCI 200
2023 Fall

Federico Capasso
Monday, Wednesday
3:00pm to 4:15pm

This course is an introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics, with specific focus on the basic principles involved in the control of quantum systems. Experimental foundations of quantum mechanics. Superposition principle, Schrödinger’s equation, eigenvalue and time dependent problems, wave packets, coherent states; uncertainty principle. One dimensional problems: double well potentials, tunneling and resonant tunneling; WKB approximation. Hermitian operators and expectation values; time evolution and Hamiltonian, commutation rules, transfer matrix methods. Crystals, Bloch theorem, superlattices. Angular momentum, spin, Pauli matrices. Coherent interaction of light with two-level systems. Quantization of the EM field, spontaneous and stimulated emission; qubits, entanglement, teleportation.

Course Website

Computational Solid and Structural Mechanics

ENG-SCI 228
2024 Fall

Katia Bertoldi
Tuesday, Thursday
9:00am to 10:15am

Introduction to finite element methods for analysis of steady-state and transient problems in solid and structural mechanics. Implementation of simple MATLAB codes and use of existing general-purpose software (ABAQUS). Final project offers opportunities to extend focus to fluid mechanics and heat transfer and to explore additional software (e.g. COMSOL, FEniCS), if desired.

Course Website

Computational Solid and Structural Mechanics

ENG-SCI 228
2024 Spring

Katia Bertoldi
Tuesday, Thursday
10:30am to 11:45am

Introduction to finite element methods for analysis of steady-state and transient problems in solid and structural mechanics. Implementation of simple MATLAB codes and use of existing general-purpose software (ABAQUS). Final project offers opportunities to extend focus to fluid mechanics and heat transfer and to explore additional software (e.g. COMSOL, FEniCS), if desired.

Course Website

Survey of Energy Technology

ENG-SCI 229
2025 Spring

Michael Aziz
Wednesday, Friday
3:00pm to 4:15pm

Principles governing energy generation and interconversion. Current and projected world energy use. Selected important current and anticipated future technologies for energy generation, interconversion, storage, and end usage.

Course Website

Energy Technology

ENG-SCI 231
2025 Spring

Michael Aziz
Wednesday, Friday
3:00pm to 4:15pm

Principles governing energy generation and interconversion. Current and projected world energy use. Selected important current and anticipated future technologies for energy generation, interconversion, storage, and end usage.

Course Website

Advanced Innovation in Science and Engineering: Conference Course

ENG-SCI 239
2024 Fall

David Weitz
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

This class integrates perspectives from leading innovators with collaborative practice and theory of innovation to teach and inspire you to be more innovative in your life and career. Our approach is to engage with leaders and learn their perspectives and align this with innovation sprints where you learn the best tools, processes, and methods to innovate. You can see a course overview here https://youtu.be/CqfvXf33TCE.  Find out more information on Instagram @engsci139 or https://www.instagram.com/engsci139/

Students are expected to meet all the requirements of Engineering Sciences 139 and in addition are required to prepare an individual term project with significant analytic emphasis in an area of scientific or technological innovation.

Course Website

Solid Mechanics

ENG-SCI 240
2024 Fall

Joost Vlassak
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Foundations of solid mechanics, development of elasticity theory, and introduction to  linear visco-elasticity and plasticity. Basic elasticity solutions. Variational principles. Deformation of plates. Introduction to large deformation.

Course Website

Advanced Elasticity

ENG-SCI 241
2024 Spring

Zhigang Suo
Tuesday, Thursday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Finite deformation; instabilities; thermodynamics; thermoelasticity; poroelasticity; electroactive polymers, hydrogels, polyelectrolyte gels.

Course Website

Fracture Mechanics

ENG-SCI 247
2025 Spring

Zhigang Suo
Wednesday, Friday
1:30pm to 2:45pm

Fundamentals of fracture with applications in materials and structural mechanics. Micromechanics of fracture in ceramics, metals, and polymers. Fracture of composite materials. Interfacial fracture mechanics. Fatigue crack propagation.

Course Website

Advanced Topics in Robotics Research

ENG-SCI 252R
2025 Spring

Robert Wood
Monday, Wednesday
9:45am to 11:00am

A graduate seminar course on advanced topics in robotics research. Students read and present research papers and undertake a research project.

Course Website

Informal Robotics

ENG-SCI 256
2024 Spring

Chuck Hoberman
Tuesday
1:30pm to 4:15pm

This course teaches how to create original robotic devices made of light, compliant – informal – materials.

New fabrication techniques are transforming the field of robotics. Rather than rigid parts connected by mechanical connectors, robots can now be made of folded paper, carbon laminates or soft gels. They can be formed fully integrated from a 3D printer rather than assembled from individual components. Informal Robotics draws on cutting-edge research from leading labs, in particular, Harvard’s Micro Robotics Laboratory which has created unique designs for ambulatory and flying robots, end-effectors, medical instruments and other applications.

We will explore informal robotics from multiple perspectives, culminating with the design of original devices displaying animated intelligence in real-time. Going beyond traditional engineering approaches, we will also explore new opportunities for design at the product, architectural, and urban scales.

Techniques:
Hands-on:  Working with the GSD’s Fab Lab we are creating a kit of parts that will be available to all enrolled students. With the kit, you can create a wide range of folding mechanisms controlled by on-board miniature electronics.
Software / Simulation: Software workshops will be offered on Fusion 360 and Grasshopper to simulate robotic performance within a virtual environment.

Topics:
- Kinematics: design techniques for pop-ups, origami, and soft mechanisms.
- Fabrication: methods: for composite materials, laminated assembly, self-folding, and integrated flexures - the kit of parts will allow for hands-on exploration.
- Controls: how to actuate movement and program desired behavior. Topics include servos, linear actuators, and use of Arduino actuator control.
- Applications: takes us beyond purely technological concerns, contextualizing Informal Robotics within larger trends where materials, manufacturing and computation are starting to merge

Course Website

Informal Robotics

ENG-SCI 256
2025 Spring

Chuck Hoberman
Tuesday
12:00pm to 2:45pm

This course teaches how to create original robotic devices made of light, compliant – informal – materials.

New fabrication techniques are transforming the field of robotics. Rather than rigid parts connected by mechanical connectors, robots can now be made of folded paper, carbon laminates or soft gels. They can be formed fully integrated from a 3D printer rather than assembled from individual components. Informal Robotics draws on cutting-edge research from leading labs, in particular, Harvard’s Micro Robotics Laboratory which has created unique designs for ambulatory and flying robots, end-effectors, medical instruments and other applications.

We will explore informal robotics from multiple perspectives, culminating with the design of original devices displaying animated intelligence in real-time. Going beyond traditional engineering approaches, we will also explore new opportunities for design at the product, architectural, and urban scales.

Techniques:
Hands-on:  Working with the GSD’s Fab Lab we are creating a kit of parts that will be available to all enrolled students. With the kit, you can create a wide range of folding mechanisms controlled by on-board miniature electronics.
Software / Simulation: Software workshops will be offered on Fusion 360 and Grasshopper to simulate robotic performance within a virtual environment.

Topics:
- Kinematics: design techniques for pop-ups, origami, and soft mechanisms.
- Fabrication: methods: for composite materials, laminated assembly, self-folding, and integrated flexures - the kit of parts will allow for hands-on exploration.
- Controls: how to actuate movement and program desired behavior. Topics include servos, linear actuators, and use of Arduino actuator control.
- Applications: takes us beyond purely technological concerns, contextualizing Informal Robotics within larger trends where materials, manufacturing and computation are starting to merge

Course Website

Advanced Introduction to Robotics

ENG-SCI 259
2024 Fall

Justin Werfel
Monday, Wednesday
12:45pm to 2:00pm

Introduction to computer-controlled robotic manipulators. Topics include coordinate frames and transformations, forward and inverse kinematic solutions to open-chain manipulators, the Jacobian, dynamics and control, and motion planning. In addition, special topics will be introduced such as computer vision, soft robotics, surgical robots, MEMS and microrobotics, and biomimetic systems. Laboratory exercises will provide experience with industrial robot programming and robot simulation and control.

Course Website

Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers

ENG-SCI 297
2024 Fall

Suzanne Smith, Daniel Needleman
Thursday
3:00pm to 5:00pm

This class leads students to develop their skills in the critical reading and writing of science and engineering. Genres will include research articles, grant proposals, school/fellowship/job applications, or lay abstracts & press releases for the non-scientific public. Crucially, students will be empowered not only to achieve their own writing goals, but also to break down these learned skills and impart them to others, as effective collaborators and mentors of younger students.

Course Website

Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers

ENG-SCI 297
2024 Spring

Suzanne Smith
Thursday
3:00pm to 5:00pm

This class leads students to develop their skills in the critical reading and writing of science and engineering. Genres will include research articles, grant proposals, school/fellowship/job applications, or lay abstracts & press releases for the non-scientific public. Crucially, students will be empowered not only to achieve their own writing goals, but also to break down these learned skills and impart them to others, as effective collaborators and mentors of younger students.

Course Website

Professional Writing for Scientists and Engineers

ENG-SCI 297
2025 Spring

Suzanne Smith, Jenny Hoffman
Wednesday
3:00pm to 5:00pm

This class leads students to develop their skills in the critical reading and writing of science and engineering. Genres will include research articles, grant proposals, school/fellowship/job applications, or lay abstracts & press releases for the non-scientific public. Crucially, students will be empowered not only to achieve their own writing goals, but also to break down these learned skills and impart them to others, as effective collaborators and mentors of younger students.

Course Website

Methodologies in Design Engineering

ENG-SCI 298R
2024 Fall

Kit Parker, Fawwaz Habbal
Friday
9:45am to 12:30pm

This is a SAT/UNSAT seminar course focused on design thinking, analysis, planning, and executing the development of engineered systems. Weekly meetings will include discussions and assigned readings of case studies and examples of the systems surrounding the developing technical system. Organizing and executing research, innovation, and product design at the scales from academic group, to startup, to major industry will be discussed. The course is designed to allow the engineer and designer to integrate technical knowledge into an executable framework as an individual or leader of a design team.

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Political Economy of the Global Semiconductor Industry: Technology, Markets and Policy

ENG-SCI 298R
2024 Spring

Woodward Yang
Thursday
3:45pm to 5:45pm

This graduate seminar offers an in-depth exploration of the global semiconductor industry which is currently at the forefront of technological innovation and geopolitical dynamics.  Central to our study is the semiconductor industry's remarkable growth and evolution, driven by a complex and interdependent global network encompassing a diverse array of companies and research institutions. We will also engage in a multifaceted analysis of the semiconductor industry which will involve examining the technological limits and breakthroughs, assessing the economic factors underpinning the industry, and understanding the current geopolitical landscape, especially focusing on the recent tensions between China and the United States.

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Special Topics in Engineering Sciences

ENG-SCI 299R
2024 Fall

Todd Zickler

Supervision of experimental or theoretical research on acceptable problems in engineering and applied science and supervision of reading on topics not covered by regular courses of instruction.

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Special Topics in Engineering Sciences

ENG-SCI 299R
2024 Spring

Todd Zickler

Supervision of experimental or theoretical research on acceptable problems in engineering and applied science and supervision of reading on topics not covered by regular courses of instruction.

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Special Topics in Engineering Sciences

ENG-SCI 299R
2025 Spring

Todd Zickler

Supervision of experimental or theoretical research on acceptable problems in engineering and applied science and supervision of reading on topics not covered by regular courses of instruction.

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An Introduction to Maker Skills

MIT ES .100
2024 Spring

Introduction to making and use of MIT's maker spaces intended to build skills needed for designing, conducting, and completing experiments and design projects, such as may be encountered in undergraduate classwork and research activities. Includes maker space training (i.e., wood shop, digital fabrication, and electronics fabrication) and open-ended design projects, with work evenly divided between class, homework, and maker space activities.
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Calculus

MIT ES .181A
2023 Fall

Equivalent to 18.01A; see 18.01A for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes.
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