Year Semester Courses

1st Year Fall 18.01 – Calculus I (Single

Variable); Chemistry (GIR);
8.01 – Physics I; 2.000 –
Intro to Mechanical
Engineering; HASS
1st Year Spring 18.02 – Calculus II
(Multivariable); 2.001 –
Mechanics & Materials I;
2.086 – Numerical
Computation; 2.00A – Intro
to Design; HASS
2nd Year Fall 18.03 – Differential
Equations; 2.002 –
Mechanics & Materials II;
2.005 – Thermal-Fluids I;
2.670 – ME Tools; 8.02 –
Physics II
2nd Year Spring 2.003 – Dynamics & Control
I; 2.004 – Dynamics &
Control II; 2.006 – Thermal-
Fluids II; HASS or Elective
3rd Year Fall 2.008 – Design &
Manufacturing II; 2.671 –
Measurement &
Instrumentation (CI-M);
Restricted Elective; HASS
3rd Year Spring 2.009 – Product
Engineering Process (CI-M);
Restricted Elective;
Unrestricted Elective; HASS
4th Year Fall 2.THU – Undergraduate
Thesis (Part 1); Restricted
Elective; Unrestricted
Elective; HASS
4th Year Spring 2.THU – Undergraduate
Thesis (Part 2); Technical
Elective; Unrestricted
Elective; HASS
 First Year

Fall Semester

Course Explanation

Core math: limits, derivatives, integrals.

Used in mechanics, thermodynamics,
18.01 – Calculus I (Single Variable) control.
Skills: mathematical modeling, problem
solving

Fundamental chemistry concepts.

Basics of molecular structure,
CHEM (GIR) – Chemistry thermodynamics.
Skills: lab safety, bonding theory,
chemical analysis

Extends calculus to 3D space.

18.02 – Calculus II (Multivariable) Critical in fluid flow, heat transfer.
Skills: partial derivatives, vector calculus

Overview of the ME field and its

subdomains.
2.000 – Explorations in Mechanical Hands-on mini projects and problem-
Engineering solving.
Skills: teamwork, ideation, early design
thinking

Communication, ethics, writing.

HASS (Humanities) – e.g., Communication
Engineers must explain ideas clearly.
Intensive
Skills: technical writing, public speaking

Spring Semester

Course Explanation

Statics, stress, strain, axial/torsional loading.

2.001 – Mechanics & Materials I Core of structural and material design.
Skills: free-body diagrams, stress analysis

Solving engineering problems using computers.

2.086 – Numerical Computation Matrix algebra, differential equation solvers.
Skills: MATLAB/Python, numerical modeling
Course Explanation

Hands-on product design with physical

prototyping.
2.00A – Introduction to Design
Design-build-test-learn cycle.
Skills: CAD, 3D printing, teamwork

Newton’s laws, energy, momentum.

Physics I (8.01 – Classical
Essential for all physical system models.
Mechanics)
Skills: problem solving, motion analysis

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course Explanation

Beam theory, elasticity, failure analysis.

Needed in machine, structure, vehicle
2.002 – Mechanics & Materials II
design.
Skills: bending stress, shear, safety factors

Thermodynamics: heat, work, cycles.

2.005 – Thermal-Fluids Engineering I Used in engines, turbines, HVAC systems.
Skills: first/second law, entropy, efficiency

Intro to machining, tools, shop safety.

2.670 – Mechanical Engineering Tools Prepares you for prototyping & fabrication.
Skills: lathe, mill, CNC, 3D print

Models dynamic systems mathematically.

18.03 – Differential Equations Used in vibrations, control systems.
Skills: ODE solving, Laplace transforms

Charges, circuits, Maxwell’s equations.

8.02 – Physics II (Electricity &
Basis for control, robotics, sensors.
Magnetism)
Skills: voltage/current analysis, EM theory

Spring Semester

Course Explanation

2.003 – Dynamics & Control I Motion of rigid bodies, kinematics, energy

methods.
Course Explanation

Forms the basis of robot and vehicle movement.

Skills: equations of motion, system modeling

Feedback, stability, frequency response.

2.004 – Dynamics & Control II Crucial in mechatronics, autopilot, robotics.
Skills: Bode plots, PID control

Combines fluid mechanics + heat transfer.

2.006 – Thermal-Fluids
For turbine, cooling system, aerodynamics.
Engineering II
Skills: convection, pressure drop, flow modeling

More humanities electives – ethics, policy,

HASS / Electives
economics, etc.

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course Explanation

Teams design, manufacture, and test

products.
Learn about injection molding, tolerances,
2.008 – Design and Manufacturing II
materials.
Skills: project planning, DFM (design for
manufacturability)

Hands-on lab experiments and reports.

2.671 – Measurement &
How to measure force, flow, vibration, etc.
Instrumentation (CI-M)
Skills: sensors, uncertainty, data analysis

Examples:
– 2.050 Nonlinear Dynamics
Restricted Elective
– 2.12 Robotics
– 2.14 Control Systems

Optional broadening subjects – AI, energy, history,

HASS / Elective
etc.

Spring Semester
Course Explanation

Flagship capstone design course.

2.009 – Product Engineering
Teams build real working products over a semester.
Process (CI-M)
Skills: user research, prototyping, testing, pitching

Continue with specialization: e.g., biomechanics,

Restricted Elective
nanotech, marine engineering.

Pick any subject – EE, CS, entrepreneurship,

Unrestricted Elective
economics, etc.

HASS Final communication-intensive or social impact course.

Fourth Year

Fall + Spring

Course Explanation

Independent project with faculty mentorship.

2.THU – Undergraduate Thesis Often includes experiments, simulations, papers.
Skills: research, deep technical writing, innovation

e.g.,
– 2.760 Global Engineering
More Restricted Electives
– 2.013/2.014 Systems Engineering
– 2.500 Desalination and Energy

Unrestricted Electives Could include AI, circuits, finance, writing, etc.

HASS Final humanities/social science subject(s)