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.
MTDE 311/611 - Enterprise Basics for Technical Entrepreneurs
MWF 12:40-1:30 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.
MTDE 421/621 - Management, Leadership and Corporate Culture
MWF 1:50-2:40 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.
MTDE 461/651 - Product Lean Launch
MW 1:50-3:30 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 252/652 - Engineering Entrepreneurship Hour
T 3:55-4:55 p.m. | Paul Deere
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 313/613 - 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 314/614 - Skills for Technology Leaders
TR 12:45-2:00 p.m. | Chris Curran
This course equips future leaders in engineering 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 315/615 - Startup Fundamentals 101
TR 9:35-10:50 a.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.
ITDE 489/689 - Advanced Entrepreneurship in Energy and Climate
MW 11:30 a.m.-1:10 p.m. | 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.
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:
MTDE 311 Enterprise Basics for Technical Entrepreneurs
MTDE 461 Engineering Product Lean Launch
MTDE 252 Engineering Entrepreneurship Hour
Students must also select three of the following:
MTDE 312 Sales, Operations and Manufacturing for Technology Companies
MTDE 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 [email protected].