Engineering Improv: An Introduction to Engineering Analysis

Engineering Improv: An Introduction to Engineering Analysis

CENG S1500 (CRN: 30243) | Syllabus

Instructors: Michael Loewenberg
Dates: Session A, May 25 - June 26, 2026
Course Mode: Online
Meeting Times: MWTh 5.30-7.00p
Distributional Requirements: Quantitative Reasoning, Science
Eligibility: Open to pre-college and college students

Online Course. Mathematical modeling is not a scripted procedure. Models are constrained by physical principles, including conservation laws and experimental observations but this does not provide a closed description. There is a lot more art in mathematical modeling than is commonly acknowledged and improvisation plays a significant role.  The artistic aspects are important and intellectually engaging because they often lead to a deeper understanding. This course provides a general introduction to engineering analysis and to chemical engineering principles. Material includes the derivation of governing equations from first principles and the analysis of these equations, including underlying assumptions, degrees of freedom, dimensional analysis, scaling arguments, and approximation techniques. The goal of this course is to obtain the necessary skills for improvising mathematical models for a broad range of problems that arise in engineering, science and everyday life. Students from all majors are encouraged to take this course. Prerequisite: basic calculus. 1 Credit. Session A: May 25 – June 26. Tuition: $5480. Technology Fee: $85.

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