Fall Term
During the fall term, students take four courses—a total of 48 units. The following are required unless similar prior classes can be demonstrated:
2.810 Manufacturing Processes and Systems
Introduction to manufacturing systems and manufacturing processes, including assembly, machining, injection molding, casting, thermoforming, and more. Emphasis on the relationship between physics and randomness to quality, rate, cost, and flexibility. Attention to the relationship between the process and the system, and the process and part design. Project (in small groups) requires fabrication (and some design) of a product using several different processes (as listed above).
2.830 Control of Manufacturing Processes *
Statistical modeling and control in manufacturing processes. Use of experimental design and response surface modeling to understand manufacturing process physics. Defect and parametric yield modeling and optimization. Forms of process control include statistical process control, run-by-run and adaptive control, and real-time feedback control. Application contexts include semiconductor manufacturing, conventional metal and polymer processing, and emerging micro- and nano-manufacturing processes.
2.854 Introduction to Manufacturing Systems *
Provides methods for analyzing manufacturing systems in terms of material flow and storage, information flow, capacities, and the times and durations of events. Fundamental topics include probability, inventory and queuing models, forecasting, optimization, process analysis, and linear and dynamic systems. Factory planning and scheduling topics encompass flow planning, bottleneck characterization, buffer and batch-size strategies, seasonal planning, and the dynamic behavior of production systems.
2.961 Management for Engineers *
Provides an overview of management issues for graduate engineers. Topics approached in terms of career options as an engineering practitioner, manager, and entrepreneur. Specific topics include semantics, finance, starting a company, and people management. Through selected readings from texts and cases, the focus is on the development of individual skills and management tools. Requires student participation and discussion, a term paper.
* For the blended degree program, Fall classes are replaced by redeemed credit from the MicroMasters Principles of Manufacturing credential. Students pursuing the blended degree begin on-campus classes in the spring semester. See https://micromasters.mit.edu/pom/ for more information.
January Term (IAP)
Additionally, in January, students begin their Group Projects in Industry. They may also participate in other activities during this Independent Activities Period.
Spring Term
During the spring term, students take three courses and a seminar (a total of 42 units), and work on their Group Projects (9 Units).
IDS.735J Supply Chain Planning & IDS.736[J] Manufacturing System and Supply Chain Design*
Focuses on decision-making for system design, as it arises in manufacturing systems and supply chains. Students are exposed to frameworks and models for structuring the key issues and trade-offs. Presents and discusses new opportunities, issues, and concepts introduced by the internet and e-commerce. Introduces various models, methods, and software tools for logistics network design, capacity planning, flexibility, make-buy, and integration with product development. Industry applications and case studies illustrate key concepts and challenges.
One Design course from 2.739, 2.744 or after consulting with MEng advisor, additional mechanical engineering elective if 2.76 or other Design course was completed in the Fall as an overload.
2.739J Product Design and Development
Covers modern tools and methods for product design and development. The cornerstone is a project in which teams of management, engineering, and industrial design students conceive, design, and prototype a physical product. Class sessions employ cases and hands-on exercises to reinforce key ideas. Topics include product planning, identifying customer needs, concept generation, product architecture, industrial design, concept design, and design for manufacturing.
Project-centered subject addressing the transformation of ideas into successful products that are properly matched to the user and the market. Students are asked to take a more comprehensive view of a new product and gain experience with designs judged on their aesthetics, ease of use, and sensitivity to the realities of the marketplace. Lectures on modern design process, industrial design, visual communication, form-giving, mass production, marketing, and environmentally conscious design.
2.888 Professional Seminar in Global Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship – 3 Units
Covers a broad range of topics in modern manufacturing, from models and structures for 21st-century operations to case studies in leadership from the shop floor to the executive office. Also includes global perspectives from Asia, Europe, and North America, with guest speakers from all three regions. Explores opportunities for new ventures in the manufacturing sector. Intended primarily for Master of Engineering in Manufacturing students.
2.THG Graduate Thesis – 9 Units
Students also begin their thesis project in the spring. This thesis project continues through the summer term, when students participate in industry-based group projects. This full-time project gives students a chance to apply their understanding of manufacturing fundamentals to real problems and make real-world improvements in process, material flow, and logistics.
Additionally, students must choose one of the electives from the following list:
2.071 Mechanics of Solid Materials
2.120 Introduction to Robotics
2.372J Design and Fabrication of Microelectromechanical Systems
2.391J Nanostructure Fabrication
2.734 Engineering Systems Development
2.753 Development of Mechanical Products
2.77 FUNdaMENTALS of Precision Product Design
*or other relevant Mechanical Engineering elective approved in consultation with MEng Advisor.
Summer Term
2.THG Graduate Thesis – 24 Units
The key activity of the summer term is the Group Project. The full-time work in the industry and thesis project culminate in mid-August. Students receive their Degree in mid-September and are eligible to walk in the commencement ceremony the following June.
Overload and Cross Registration:
MIT and the MEng program do not impose an upper credit limit taken beyond the required curriculum outlined above. Students register for any open graduate subject or those requiring instructor or department approval in any of the five MIT schools. Based on our previous experience, students are encouraged to register only for the Fall required classes and, if desired, undertake “overload” classes in the Spring semester. These subjects cannot be used as substitutes for the required MEng subjects. Students will discuss these options when they meet with the MEng program office on registration day to discuss orientation, including registration plans.
In the Spring semester, MEng students are eligible to “overload” by cross-registering for academic subjects offered at the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences or one of Harvard’s professional schools, and must abide by the rules of both MIT and Harvard. Make note of key dates, by school, on the Harvard Academic Calendar. Remember that you must meet the earlier of MIT’s or Harvard’s cross-registration and add/drop/change deadlines. Cross-registered subjects will not be approved by the program office if these subjects conflict with the meeting times of the required MEng curriculum. Cross-registered subjects cannot be used to substitute the required MEng subjects.
During the summer semester, students are not eligible to register for any classes beyond their required thesis subject 2.THG.