Whether you dream of launching your own startup, contributing to groundbreaking projects, or simply want to enhance your problem-solving abilities, our offerings are tailored to fuel your ambitions. Find engineering courses that will spark your passion for design, innovation and entrepreneurship, and explore the requirements for our new entrepreneurship minor.
ENGR 311/MTDE 611 - Enterprise Basics for Technical Entrepreneurs
TR 11:10 a.m.-12:25 p.m. | Fred Pifano
Aspects of entrepreneurship for a technical enterprise; elements of business including idea generation, startup financing, staffing, product design and production, marketing and selling a product.; focus on the front end of the venture; product design and development, financing, identifying & attracting key personnel, and starting up a company.
ENGR 461/MTDE 651 - Product Lean Launch
TR 2:20-4 p.m. | Chris Finberg
Exercises in the creation of a focused engineering-centric business using Lean Startup principles; incorporating the customer development process; market validation; unique value proposition creation; communication skill training; development of a Lean Canvas and minimal viable product design for a student-developed business idea.
ENGR 462/MTDE 252/MTDE 652 - Engineering Entrepreneurship Hour
T 3:55-4:55 p.m. | Jim Donnell
Engagement with successful technology entrepreneurs from technical sectors across engineering and the nation; exploration of challenges faced by and characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and their strategies in launching and sustaining businesses on technology innovation; practice in networking with highly successful entrepreneurs and developing relations valuable to professional careers; development of speaking and presentation skills; practice in networking with industry professionals in support of entrepreneurship.
ITDE 489/MTDE 689 - Startup Fundamentals 101
TR 11:10 a.m.-12:25 p.m. | Paul Deere
Gear up for an exhilarating entrepreneurial journey! This course is your ticket to unlocking the core skills, experience, and training required to startup success. It will be broken down into three sections. The first section, Launch, will explore ideation, customer discovery, legal entities, and funding options for startups. The second section will consider techniques for growing the startup including branding, sales, transitioning from prototypes to production, human resources and organization design, and its operations. The third section explores exit opportunities, such as understanding financials and company evaluations, developing negotiating skills, and exit options including a strategic buyout, IPO, liquidation, and bankruptcy.
MEEN 497/MEEN 697 - Innovative Mindset for Design and Research
MW 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Dr. Cynthia Hipwell
Cultivate your creativity and apply techniques to increase innovation in your design, research, and business activities. Innovativeness is strongly correlated to value creation, and mindset is changeable! The Observe-Reflect-Create-Act Cycle, processes of Serial Innovators, and Lean Experimentation will help you "build to learn" and increase your trajectory of performance improvement.
MTDE 313/MTDE 613 - Engineer to CEO
TR 9:35-10:50 a.m. | Jim Donnell
Fundamental skills, experience, and training necessary to one day serve in the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role; exploration of what it means to be the CEO and to take on those responsibilities along with the personal and professional commitments associated with this important position; study of critical area of communications and effective ways to interface with the key stakeholder groups represented by shareholders, board of directors, executive management team, employees, customers, the media and communities where the company does business.
MTDE 314/MTDE 614 - Skills for Technology Leaders
TR 12:45-2:00 p.m. | Chris Curran
This course is designed for engineers interested in exploring the role of technology leader in a business, from startups to large companies. Throughout the course, students will learn about the key responsibilities of a technology leader, including hiring and developing people, leading technical teams, managing budgets and resources, and driving innovation and growth. Students will develop an emerging technology strategy for the company they choose to examine some of the trade-offs and decision-making. The course will include guest lectures from experienced technology leaders from both startups and large companies, providing students with valuable insights and perspectives on industry.
PETE 453 - Petroleum Entrepreneurship
TR 2:20-3:35 p.m. | Jim Donnell / Cathy Sliva
Traverse various aspects of entrepreneurship with a focus on petroleum asset valuation and prospect analysis in the energy sector; exposure to all aspects of the journey including business idea generation, raising early-stage capital, staffing the enterprise, developing the business plan, and selling the concept to investors.
The College of Engineering at Texas A&M University now offers a minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship, designed to equip engineering students with the essential skills and knowledge to understand the roles of entrepreneurs and innovators in businesses. A total of 16 credit hours listed as core courses will constitute a minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship. A grade of "C" or better is required for any course to be used for the minor.
View Current Program Requirements
Entrance Requirements
To pursue this minor, you must be enrolled as a student in Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering.
Courses
Students must take the following three courses:
ENGR 311 Enterprise Basics for Technical Entrepreneurs
ENGR 461 Engineering Product Lean Launch
MTDE 252 Engineering Entrepreneurship Hour
or ENGR 462 Engineering Entrepreneurship Hour
Students must also select three of the following:
ENGR 312 Sales, Operations and Manufacturing for Technology Companies
ENGR 421 Technology Company Management, Leadership, and Corporate Culture
MEEN 497 Innovation Mindset for Design and Research
MTDE 313 Engineer to Chief Executive Officer
MTDE 314 Skills for Technology Leadership
PETE 453 Petroleum Entrepreneurship
Total Semester Credit Hours: 16