Course 2 Spring 2026 Updates
MechE Spring 2026 First-Year Subject Offerings (Full details below):
- 2.00: Introduction to Design [Second-half-term subject, H4]
- 2.00A: Designing for the Future: Earth, Sea, and Space [Full Term subject]
- 2.00C[J] Design for Complex Environmental Issues [Full-Term subject]
- 2.00E: Introduction to Manufacturing [Second-half-term subject, H4]
- 2.S00: Introduction to Engineering Design for International Development [Second-half-term subject, H4]
- 2.S01: Introduction to Autonomous Underwater Vehicles [Second-half-term subject, H4]
2.00: Introduction to Design [Second half-term subject, H4]
Instructor: TBA
Prereq: None
Units: (2-2-2) 6 unit
Lecture: MF 3:30-5 PM (3-370), Lab: TBA (3-004), Starting on Monday, March 30.
Project-based introduction to product development and engineering design. Emphasizes key elements of the design process, including defining design problems, generating ideas, and building solutions. Presents a range of design techniques to help students think about, evaluate, and communicate designs, from sketching to physical prototyping, as well as other types of modeling. Students work both individually and in teams.
2.00A: Designing for the Future: Earth, Sea, and Space [full-term subject]
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Bennett
Prerequisites: Calculus I (GIR) and Physics I (GIR)
Units: (3-3-3) 9 unit
Lecture: TR 11-12:30 PM (1-246), Lab: TBA (N52-337)
Student teams formulate and complete space/earth/ocean exploration-based design projects with weekly milestones. Introduces core engineering themes, principles, and modes of thinking. Specialized learning modules enable teams to focus on the knowledge required to complete their projects, such as machine elements, electronics, design process, visualization and communication. Includes exercises in written and oral communication and team building. Examples of projects include surveying a lake for millfoil, from a remote controlled aircraft, and then sending out robotic harvesters to clear the invasive growth; and exploration to search for the evidence of life on a moon of Jupiter, with scientists participating through teleoperation and supervisory control of robots. Enrollment limited; preference to frist-year students.
2.00C[J] Design for Complex Environmental Issues [Full-Term subject]
(Same subject as 1.016[J], EC.746[J])
Instructors: Dr. Ari W. Epstein, Mr. Chris Mayer, Mr. Justin Schmidt
Prereq: None
Units: (3-2-4) 9 units
Lecture: MW3-4.30 (N51-350), Recitation: F3-4.30 (N51-350)
Working in small teams with real clients, students develop solutions related to the year’s Terrascope topic. They have significant autonomy as they follow a full engineering design cycle from client profile through increasingly sophisticated prototypes to final product. Provides opportunities to acquire skills with power tools, workshop practice, design, product testing, and teamwork. Focuses on sustainability and appropriate technology that matches the client’s specific situation and constraints. Products are exhibited in the public Bazaar of Ideas and evaluated by an expert panel. Class taught in collaboration with the Edgerton Center, D-Lab, and Beaver Works. Limited to first-year students. Preference given to students who have completed 12.000, but open to students outside Terrascope when space permits.
2.00E: Introduction to Manufacturing [Second-half-term subject, H4] – New!
Instructor(s): Dr. John Liu
Prereq: None
Units: (2-2-2) 6 units
Lecture: MW1-2:30 PM (1-246), Starting on Monday, March 30.
Project-based introduction to manufacturing processes and systems used for everyday products with LEGO-themed instruction. Spans the spectrum from prototyping to large-scale production, with focus on designing for manufacturing, operation of factory systems, and sustainability, as well as emerging technologies such as 3D printing and digital tools applied to manufacturing. Format includes interactive lectures, hands-on labs, factory visits, and team projects. Includes faculty and industry guest speakers. Limited to 24 due to lab space.
2.S00: Introduction to Engineering Design for International Development [Second-half-term subject, H4] – New!
(Same subject as EC.S06)
Instructor(s): Ms. Amy Smith
Prereq: None
Units: 2-0-4 (6 units)
Lecture: TR 3-5 PM (N51-350), Starting on Monday, March 30.
Students learn about mechanical engineering principles and apply them to real-world international development projects with D-Lab partners. The class covers elements of the participatory design process, including user engagement, problem framing, idea generation, concept selection, sketch modeling, detail design, and prototyping. Students are trained in basic wood- and metal-working techniques at the D-Lab workshop, and fabricate prototypes based on needs identified from international partners. Enrollment limited; preference given to first-year students.
2.S01: Introduction to Autonomous Underwater Vehicles [Second-half-term subject, H4]
Instructor(s): Dr. Supun Randeni, Mr. Michael Sacarny, Dr. Michael Richard Benjamin
Prereq: None
Units: (2-2-2) 6 units
Lecture: MW3-4:30 PM (N45-202C), Starting on Monday, March 30
Lab: TBD, Survey will be sent to registered students
Description: 2.S01 will provide the students with an in-depth insight into autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), by introducing theoretical and practical aspects of the AUV design process; including fundamentals of naval architecture, electrical systems design, mechanical design and software design. Students will assemble their own AUVs by using a kit of parts and guidance from instructors, beginning with core electronics and building out a full vehicle for deployment in the Charles River on the MIT campus in the final weeks. Students will carry out waterproofing vacuum tests, pre-launch sub-system tests and dockside tests for ballasting; followed by in-water low-level control tuning runs. They will also construct autonomy missions; first in simulation, followed by in-water autonomous missions to conduct an environmental survey in the Charles River.