Certificate in Engineering Design

Current list of Certificate program projects
Requirements for the Certificate in Engineering Design (this page as PDF handout)
Declaration of Intent to Pursue the Design Certificate (PDF)
Petition to Receive the Design Certificate (PDF)
Undergraduate Courses offered

The Certificate in Engineering Design (CED) program enables undergraduate students to develop design knowledge and skills that will provide them a competitive edge in their careers. The CED program focuses on innovative engineering design in a team-based, cross-disciplinary setting. "Innovative design" implies both identifying and solving real-world problems, for actual clients.

Students interested in pursuing the certificate should contact Ann McKenna, Director, Engineering Design Certificate Program, 2133 N. Sheridan Rd. G-319, mckenna@northwestern.edu, 847-491-6761

Requirements

The Certificate in Engineering Design involves a set of courses and design experiences that can augment any McCormick degree program.

Required Courses	3
Elective Courses	3
Engineering Design Portfolio	Required

At least four of the courses needed for the Certificate in Engineering Design may not also be used to fulfill the requirements in the “Major Program” of your BS degree as described in the undergraduate catalog. No certificate courses may be taken P/N.

Any student interested in pursuing the certificate should contact Prof. Ann McKenna at mckenna@northwestern.edu (contact information above or at left under People).

Required Courses

IDEA 298 Interdisciplinary Design Projects I* (offered FQ and WQ)
IDEA 370 Engineering Portfolio Development and Presentation (taken either junior or senior year)
IDEA 398 Interdisciplinary Design Projects II* (offered WQ and SQ)

* Students are expected to take IDEA 298 and IDEA 398 as a back-to-back sequence. For example, if you enroll in IDEA 298 fall quarter you are expected to take IDEA 398 the following winter quarter.

Elective Courses

Must be selected from the Approved Courses list (below). Not all courses may be selected from the same category. At least 1 unit must be an IDEA course. At least 2 units must be 300 level or higher.

Engineering Design Portfolio

Each student must create and present an Engineering Design Portfolio demonstrating proficiency in the following areas, as appropriate:

Design process – evidence of effective planning and successful completion of a design project
Design analysis – use of analytical methods for decision-making and/or parameter optimization
Prototyping and implementation – evidence that student has built working artifacts
Modern software tools – evidence that student has gained proficiency with at least one such tool
Effective communication – accessible presentation of technical concepts; persuasion; oral presentation skills

The Engineering Design Portfolio must be completed and presented to the Segal design community prior to graduation.