Engineering Design Graduate Curriculum

Engineering design courses are aligned with four primary focus areas—product engineering design, human-centered computing, humanitarian engineering, and systems design. 

Prescribed Courses

All candidates for both the master of science (M.S.) and the master of engineering (M.Eng.) degrees must take 8 credits as follows: EDSGN 581, EDSGN 582, EDSGN 585, and EDSGN 590. Master of science degree candidates must also take 6 credits of thesis—EDSGN 600/610. 

EDSGN 581: Design Studio I (3 credits) - Cross-disciplinary teams learn in a studio environment to consider broad aspects and context in their engineering design activities. 

EDSGN 582: Design Studio II (3 credits) - Cross-disciplinary teams in an engineering design studio environment with project emphasis on technical and analytical depth. Prerequisite: EDSGN 581

EDSGN 585: Design Portfolio (1 credit) - Preparation of a portfolio summarizing the student's experience with engineering design research and practice. Prerequisite or concurrent: EDSGN 582

EDSGN 590: Colloquium (1 - 3 credits) 

EDSGN 600: Thesis Research (1 - 15 credits) / EDSGN 610 Thesis Research Off Campus (1 - 15 credits)

M.Eng. Course Offerings

A minimum of 18 credits must be in the 500 series. 

12 credits in EDSGN (Choose at least 4 courses)

 11 credits (Required courses)

9 credits (elective courses)

M.S. Course Offerings*

12 credits in EDSGN (Choose at least 4 courses)

14 credits (Required courses)

*Research completed throughout the program. 

6 credits (elective courses)

Elective Courses

Penn State's online Graduate Programs Bulletin provides a full list of current graduate engineering design courses.

IE 418 - Human/Computer Interface Design (3)
Design and evaluation of the human/computer interface, including human performance, visual displays, software design, and automated system monitoring.

IE 460 - Service Systems Engineering (3)
Use of quantitative models and methods for analysis, design, and control of service systems.

IE 470 - Manufacturing System Design and Analysis (3)
Contemporary design and analysis methodologies used to organize systems for the economic manufacture of products.

IE 520 - Multiple Criteria Optimization (3)
Study of concepts and methods in the analysis of systems involving multiple objectives with applications to engineering, economic, and environmental systems.

IE 557 - Human-in-the-Loop Simulation (3)
This course is aimed at understanding how theoretical data mining/machine learning algorithms can be employed to solve large scale, complex design problems.

IE 563 - Computer-Aided Design for Manufacturing (3)
Study of CAD systems and concepts including 3D wireframe and solid modeling systems, emphasizing manufacturing applications.

ME 561 - Structural Optimization Using Variational & Numerical Methods (3)
Shape and size optimization of elastic structures, continuous and discrete solution methods and numerical algorithms, design of compliant mechanisms.

ME 565 - Optimal Design of Mechanical and Structural Systems (3)
Shape and size optimization of elastic structures, continuous and discrete solution methods and numerical algorithms, design of compliant mechanisms.

MANGT 510 - Project Management (3)
A problem-based, interdisciplinary course in project management skills and techniques needed to manage projects in a modern business environment.

SYSEN 550 - Creativity and Problem Solving I (3)
Foundations of individual problem solving, including creativity, cognitive style and level, problem-solving processes and techniques, and the paradox of structure.

SYSEN 555 - Invention and Creative Design (3)
This course focuses on the creative design process, which leads to the development of new products, processes, and systems (i.e., invention).