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Engineering Innovation: Global Security Systems

Class 15.362/15.3621/6.9160J/6.9162J

This class provides students with the perspective of a chief technology officer and systems engineer in innovation-focused organizations such as the Departments of Defense, DARPA, NATO, and the UN. Discusses technological and innovation measures taken to ensure mutual safety and security globally. Outlines the journey from ideation to impact, revolving around complex engineering design challenges. Involves iterative testing and refinement of solutions, focusing on scalability in operational environments. Emphasis is placed on efficient team-building and leadership within the innovation landscape and is supported by stakeholders. Examines stakeholders’ roles in successfully deploying solutions. Develops skills to organize technical thoughts, write impactful reports, and present convincing arguments effectively. Equips students with the ability to navigate design challenges, adjust to engineering frameworks, and manage use case variations.

Key Outcomes

  • Students learn to decompose complex global security problems and design innovative solutions.
  • Develop the ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams, meeting project deadlines.
  • Gain hands-on experience in building and demonstrating functional alpha prototypes.
  • Strengthen communication skills through technical reports and presentations.
  • Enhance leadership, project management, and engineering documentation abilities in real-world scenarios.

Instructors:

  • Prof. Fiona Murray
  • Prof. Sertac Karaman
  • Gene Keselman
  • Dr. A.J. Perez

Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: None
  • No PSETS
  • U/G (Spring ’25)
  • 3-3-6 Units
  • Fridays 1pm-4pm | Lunch Provided

Class Archetype:

  1. Topic specific lecture i.e. AI, robots, fuels, energy, and more (45 Minutes
  2. Team guided collaboration (45 minutes)
  3. Plenary de-briefs with instructors (30 minutes
  4. Lunch and team guided collaboration (30 minutes)
  5. Exit debrief and delegating (20 minutes)

Learn More:

For questions, contact maltieri@mit.edu

Testimonials

You get to meet plenty of very interesting people. Depending on your present or future career trajectory, those connections could be very useful. The class involves a substantial amount of hands-on work; so if you enjoy actually making things, it’s a great option.

Keep the class going. This class is a bit “out there,” and that’s EXACTLY why it needs to stay.

Very interesting class, provides a nice break from a “standard” class format. Focusing on a SOCOM specific mission also incorporates a unique aspect into the class.

The class was awesome. The partnership with SOCOM gave students challenging problems to solve as well as the ability to interact with the sponsor on a regular basis. Lectures were very interesting, with numerous guest speakers on various topics relevant to the class (including reps Ackincous and Moulton). Great exposure to the DoD, NATO and Congressmen.

The pace is quicker than you might realize at first, so communicate with your team and stay sharp. Keep that in mind and you’ll be fine.

Great class, learned a lot, met some really cool people.