Curriculum

Engineering Entrepreneurship Courses

EAS 5450: Engineering Entrepreneurship I. The first course is taught through the use of classroom lectures, case study discussions, and guest speakers. Assignments include readings and case studies, essay assignments on the case studies, and problem sets. EAS 5450 investigates key entrepreneurial areas of: (a) intellectual property, its protection and related strategies; (b) evaluating the market viability of new high-tech ideas; (c) shaping high-tech ideas into the right products or services for the right markets; (d) developing strategies for high-tech product positioning, marketing and operations; (e) acquiring the resources needed to start a new venture, e.g., people, financing, strategic partners, etc.; and (f) leadership roles for the founders of high-tech ventures. Learn More

EAS 5460: Engineering Entrepreneurship II. This course on high-tech business planning is taught through the use of classroom lectures, discussions of assigned readings, and the stepwise preparation and presentation of a high-tech business plan by student teams. The plans are ultimately presented to and reviewed by an experienced blue-ribbon panel of investors, advisors and entrepreneurs. EAS 546 investigates the key elements of planning an entrepreneurial high-tech venture including: (a) defining the venture’s industry and market; (b) developing strategies for high-tech product positioning, marketing, distribution, sales, operations, management and development; and (c) preparing a financial plan. Effective written and verbal presentation skills are emphasized throughout the course. Learn More

EAS 5410 & 5430: Fellows Program I & II. This sequence of courses is part of the Entrepreneurship Fellows Program. Learn More

Engineering Entrepreneurship Elective Courses

EAS 5070: Intellectual Property and Business Law for Engineers. Engineers are often on the front line of innovation. The goal of this course is to introduce engineering students to the basics of Intellectual property (IP) and business laws that they will encounter throughout their careers. Understanding these laws is critical for the protection of IP and for the creation and success of high-tech start-up ventures. Market advantage in large part springs from a company’s IP. Without legal protection and correct business formation, proprietary designs, processes, and inventions could be freely used by competitors, ruining market advantage. A basic understanding of IP laws, contractual transactions, employment agreements, business structures, and debt-equity financing will help engineering students to become effective employees or entrepreneurs, to acquire investors, and to achieve success. Though open to students of all disciplines, the course will use case studies particular relevance to students of engineering and applied science.

EAS 5120: Engineering Negotiation. The goal of this course is to teach students of engineering and applied science to be effective negotiators. It aims to improve the way these students communicate i virtually any human interaction. The course intends to improve the ability of engineers and other technology disciplines to gain more support more quickly for projects, research product and services development, and marketing. For those wanting to be entrepreneurs o r intrapreneurs, the course is designed essentially to find the most value possible in starting up and running companies. Based on Professor Diamond’s innovative and renowned model of negotiation, it is intended to assist those for whom technical expertise is not enough to persuade others, internally and externally, to provide resources, promotions and project approvals; or to resolve disputes, solve problems and gain more opportunities. Rejecting the 40-year-old notions of power, leverage and logic, the course focuses on persuasion by making better human connections, uncovering perceptions and emotions, and structuring agreements to be both collaborative and fair. This course is entrepreneurial in nature and can provide many times more value than traditional persuasion. The Getting More book has sold more than 1 million copies around the world and is also used by universities, corporations (Google), and U.S. Special Operations (SEALs, Green Berets, Special Forces, Marines) to save lives and reduce conflict. From the first day, students will do interactive cases based their own engineering-related problems and based on current problems in the news. There will be diagnostics enabling every student to assess his/her skill and improvements.

EAS 5470: Engineering Product Management from Theory to Practice. This course introduces the principles and practice of Product Management. The course provides a deep dive into product development for technology-intensive startups and large corporations. Students will explore product and market strategy, apply key Product Management tools and frameworks, and engage in real-world applications. Upon completion, students will gain a thorough understanding of the role of product managers and the ability to develop and launch successful products.

EAS 5490: Engineering Entrepreneurship Lab. Applies the principles of engineering and engineering entrepreneurship to a real-world problem of your specific field of study or professional interest. Students will develop a venture based on a high-tech product or service concept. To register for the course (instructor permission required), students must submit a proposal that outlines the technology concept or venture. The course explores several key iterative processes required for successful ventures: product development, customer and market development, and business & financial modeling. Students will develop their ventures throughout the semester with the guidance of faculty and course mentors, and they will incorporate feedback from classmates and the market.