At Olin, students and faculty collaborate to challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries

At the core of Olin College of Engineering's curricular innovation is a broader conception of engineering. It demands that engineers consider the larger consequences of technology and how good in the world can be achieved through inclusive practices.

Signature Olin courses

Engineering for Humanity

This design-for-aging course introduces students to engineering problem solving, beginning with understanding human needs and ending with sustainable solutions.

Affordable Design & Entrepreneurship

Affordable Design and Entrepreneurship (ADE) Capstone: Students work with people in communities around the world to address challenges endemic to poverty and democratize opportunity.

iSIM

Introduction to Sensors, Instrumentation and Measurement provides an introduction to building circuits for making physical measurements, experiencing interplay between theory and measurements.

Principles of Engineering

Through multidisciplinary team projects, students will apply analysis, design, construction and testing, of real electromechanical systems to engineer a complete mechatronic system of their own design.

Quantitative Engineering Analysis

QEA is an interdisciplinary, integrated, course for students to become proficient in learning new technical content and successfully completing projects that have a significant analytical component to them.

SCOPE

Senior Capstone Program in Engineering (SCOPE) projects are sponsored by companies and other institutions that bring us problems that require engineering solutions.

Software Design

Software Design (SoftDes) is an introductory course in computing that teaches students how to design, write, and maintain software in the Python programming language.

Software Systems

This course is an introduction to the design and implementation of system-level software, including operating systems, networks, and databases.

Case Studies

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A group of students at SUSTech China

Applying E4H Principles Abroad

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A group of students at SUSTech China

Olin Alum Andrew Holmes '19 had the opportunity to mentor about sixty college students in a summer engineering program at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China along with four other Olin students.

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Students showing teacher work on a laptop

Case Study: Imaginative User Design

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Students showing teacher work on a laptop

A key concept explored during the program is that of designing student-centered learning experiences by seeing students themselves as valued co-creators. This learning principle was on full display at the virtual 2020 Summer Institute.

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Student orchestra performing

Case Study: Developing 21st Century Skills Through Music

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Student orchestra performing

There are informal ways outside of the classroom for students to build leadership skills beyond technical fields, such as the Olin Conductorless Orchestra, where engineer-musicians develop and practice sought-after professional skills in a team environment while doing something they love—playing music. 

Ways to Engage with Olin

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Summer Institute participants

Summer Institute

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Summer Institute participants

The Olin College Summer Institute 'Designing Student-Centered Learning Experiences' event has provided participants from around the country and around the world with the opportunity to conceive and catalyze change in engineering education. 

engineering starts and ends with people

At the core of Olin’s curricular innovation is the idea that engineering starts and ends with people