Whether you dream of launching your own startup, contributing to groundbreaking projects in large companies, 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
MWF 1:50 p.m.-2:40 p.m. | Fred Pifano
Explore key aspects of entrepreneurship for a technical enterprise such as idea generation, startup financing, staffing, product design, production, marketing, and sales. With a strong focus on the front end of launching a venture, students will delve into product design and development, securing funding, identifying & attracting key personnel and the initial phases of company formation.
ENGR 312/MTDE 612 - Sales, Operations and Manufacturing
TR 9:35-10:50 a.m. | Paul Deere
This course will address the challenges faced in a company with respect to its product manufacturing, operations and supply chain management, product pricing strategies, and sales & marketing. The focus will be on mid-size to large enterprises.
ENGR 421/MTDE 621 - Management, Leadership and Corporate Culture
MWF 3-3:50 p.m. | Fred Pifano
Understand strategic challenges associated with enterprise management and leadership, establishing and maintaining a sustainable brand, developing an effective corporate culture and dealing with global competition. Strategic thinkers will enjoy the case studies used, and students should be prepared for a challenging, immersive experience.
ENGR 461/MTDE 651 - Product Lean Launch
TR 2:20-4 p.m. | Chris Finberg
This course offers hands-on exercises in building a focused, engineering-centered business using Lean Startup principles. Students will engage in the customer development process, market validation, and crafting a unique value proposition, alongside communication skills training. It will guide students through the development of a Lean Canvas and the design of a minimal viable product for their own business idea.
MTDE 252/ENGR 462/MTDE 652 - Engineering Entrepreneurship Hour
TR 3:55-4:55 p.m. | Chris Curran
Engage directly with successful technology entrepreneurs from various engineering sectors across the nation. Students will explore the challenges and characteristics of thriving entrepreneurs and learn strategies for launching and sustaining technology-driven businesses. The course emphasizes networking with accomplished entrepreneurs to build professional relationships, along with the development of essential speaking and presentation skills, enhancing students' ability to connect with industry professionals in support of their entrepreneurial careers.
MTDE 313/MTDE 613 - Engineer to CEO
TR 9:35-10:50 a.m. | Jim Donnell
Gain the fundamental skills, experience, and training essential for a future role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This course delves into the responsibilities, personal and professional commitments, and key competencies required of a CEO. Students will study effective communication strategies for engaging with stakeholders, including shareholders, board members, the executive team, employees, customers, the media and the communities where the company operates.
MTDE 314/MTDE 614 - Skills for Technology Leaders
TR 12:45-2:00 p.m. | Chris Curran
This course equips future engineering students with essential skills for navigating a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Students will explore how digital transformation is reshaping industries and learn to identify emerging technologies that address real-world business challenges. Through engaging assignments, discussions of current events, case studies, and presentations, students will gain hands-on experience in evaluating the potential success of new technologies and develop crucial visual communication skills to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
MTDE 489/ITDE 689 - Startup Fundamentals 101
TR 11:10 a.m.-12:25 p.m. | Paul Deere
Gear up for an exhilarating entrepreneurial journey! This course provides essential skills and training for startup success across three phases. The "Launch" phase covers ideation, customer discovery, legal structures, and funding. The "Growth" phase dives into branding, sales, scaling production, HR, and operations. Finally, the "Exit" phase examines financials, company valuation, negotiation skills, and exit strategies like buyouts, IPOs, and liquidation.
TR 11:10 a.m.-12:50 p.m. | Jim Donnell / Chris Finberg
This course simulates the advanced stages of an early start-up business with the goal of understanding and establishing plans right before the company formally launches, including the customer development process, market validation, unique value proposition, communication skill training, Lean Startup principles, minimal viable product design, raising early-stage capital, staffing, product sales and
business plan development.
PETE 453 - Petroleum Entrepreneurship
TR 2:20-3:35 p.m. | Jim Donnell / Cathy Sliva
Explore key aspects of entrepreneurship with a focus on petroleum asset valuation and prospect analysis in the energy sector. This course covers the entire entrepreneurial journey, from generating business ideas and raising early-stage capital to staffing, business plan development and pitching concepts 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
To pursue this minor, you must be enrolled as a student in Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering. Please declare your intent to pursue the minor through the link below.
Apply for the Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor
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
Have questions? Email meiep@tamu.edu.