47 courses with the subject ENGR, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ENGR 006Introduction to Mechanics I1
This is the first of two courses that cover fundamental areas of engineering statics including force equilibrium, deformable bodies, stress-strain relations, flexure, and torsion. Laboratory work includes a MATLAB workshop, experiments on deformable bodies, and a truss-bridge team design competition.
MATH 015 is required. PHYS 003 is strongly recommended. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Spring 2027. O’Donnell, Loh Spring 2028 O’Donnell, Staff. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 007Art and Engineering of Structures1
This introduction to the basic principles of structural analysis and design includes an emphasis on the historical development of modern structural engineering. It is suitable for students planning to study architecture or architectural history, or who have an interest in structures. This course includes a laboratory and is designed for students not majoring in engineering. Usually offered in alternate years. Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL - Core.
In this project-based course, students will learn the fundamentals of mathematical symmetry as it applies to tilings of the plane, sphere, and 3D space, including kaleidoscopic construction, wallpaper groups, honeycombs, and aperiodic tilings. More generally, students will explore the properties of these repeating systems through the visual and physical design of their own tilings and tessellations, while learning techniques for understanding and creating geometric patterns at different scales. Students will engage in a formal design process grounded in critique and iteration in order to produce tangible 3D artifacts using computer-aided design tools, 3D printing, mold making, and casting. This course does not fulfill any requirement for the Engineering major.
Any course involving sculpture or design of physical objects or systems, for example: ENGR 017 , ENGR 006 , ENGR 053 , ENGR 072 , THEA 004A , THEA 004B , THEA 004C , THEA 004D , ARTT 006E , ARTT 005A ; or permission of the instructors. Students should be comfortable with 3D design software such as Autodesk Fusion or Rhinoceros 3D. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Zucker, Jordan. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 010Fundamentals of Food Engineering1
In this course, we will study the scientific principles that will enable students to understand why a variety of ingredients, recipes, and cooking processes function the way they do, and why they sometimes don’t work as well as expected. The course will include lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory exercises. There are no prerequisites for this course, and it is open to all students, but it cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for a major or a minor in engineering. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Eligible for GLBL - Core.
The analysis of electrical circuits is introduced, including resistors, capacitors, inductors, op-amps, and diodes. The student will learn to develop linear differential equations to model electrical circuits, and to solve them for voltages and currents. Solutions will be formulated both in the time domain and in the frequency domain.
MATH 025 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. This course includes a laboratory. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Molter, Johnson. Fall 2027 Molter, Staff. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 012Linear Physical Systems Analysis1
This course (including the lab) will provide you with an introduction to time-domain and frequency-domain approaches involving the measurement of, modeling, solution to and analysis of linear dynamical systems that occur in many engineering disciplines. The course is designed to enable you to gain experience in closed-form and numerical solutions of ordinary differential equations governing the behavior of single- and multiple-dimensional systems. You will have an opportunity to explore system responses due to impulse, step, sinusoidal, and general inputs. System response characteristics such as superposition, stability, resonance, amplification, and attenuation will be considered.
C- or better in all of ENGR 006 , ENGR 011 and MATH 025 or in the equivalent courses; or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Towles, Johnson. Spring 2028 Towles, Moser. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 014Data Analytics for Engineers1
This course provides a broad introduction to the principles and methods of data analytics with applications to engineering prblems. Students learn techniques for data preprocessing, cleaning and visualization, as well as dimensionality reduction usinig principal component analysis (PCA), forward and backward stepwise regression, and lasso regression. Basic concepts in probabilty, statistics and hypothosis testing are introduced as needed. The course covers linear and multilinear regression, along with regularization methods such as ridge and lasso regression. Techniques for clustering classification and predictive modeling are also introduced.
MATH 025 or equivalent or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Piovoso. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 016Biomedical Modeling and Simulation1
(Cross-listed as BIOL 061 ) This course covers the fundamentals of modeling biomedical systems. Topics include: unit analysis, exponential growth/decay, half-life, exponential vs. age-structured death models, sigmoidal growth models, sigmoidal effect models, mass-action reaction rates, and experimental measurement noise models. Students gain hands-on experience developing and analyzing mathmatical models and performing simulations using MATLAB.
MATH 025 Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 017Introduction to Engineering Design1
This project-based course will orient students to the field of Engineering as a human-centered discipline and provide formal study of the Engineering design process. Students will work in teams to complete two major design projects, gaining experience with prototyping and iteration, basic CAD and digital fabrication, and combining microcontrollers with simple circuits. Engineering ethics and social impacts of technology will be integrated throughout the course. All students considering the Engineering major are expected to take this course in their first semester. No prior engineering experience is required or expected. This course is available only to first-year students. Students who do not take an Engineering class in their first semester should consult the department chair on how to satisfy the ENGR 017 major requirement. This course includes a laboratory. 1 credit. Eligible for DGHU Fall 2026. Vergara, Everbach. Fall 2027 Johnson, Zucker.
This course will introduce students to foundational topics in computer engineering. Key topics include digital representation of data, gates and truth table, and basics of computer organization. Students will gain proficiency coding in Python in both the embedded and traditional computing contexts. Students will also gain exposure to key methods for computational modeling of engineered systems and numerical solution of problems in engineering. Regular labs and projects will give students the opportunity to apply the skills they learn in a group setting.
ENGR 006 , MATH 025 with a C- or better and ENGR 017 ; or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. This course includes a laboratory. 1 credit. Eligible for DGHU Fall 2026. Masroor, Johnson. Fall 2027 Moser, staff. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 022Operating Systems
(Cross-listed as CPSC 045 ) Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required.
(Cross-listed as CPSC 052 ) This course covers the physical and logical design of a computer. Students will learn about and apply principles of computer architecture concepts through a combination of interactive textbook problems and lectures. Labs will explore the basics of assembly and Verilog programming, culminating in prototyping a single cycle processor from scratch. Students will complete a final project in assembly and/or Verilog.
ENGR 021 or CPSC 031 . Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Spring 2028 Delano. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 026Computer Graphics1
(Cross-listed as CPSC 040 ) Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit.
(Cross-listed as CPSC 072 ) Computer vision studies how computers can analyze and perceive the world using input from imaging devices. Topics include line and region extraction, stereo vision, motion analysis, color and reflection models, and object representation and recognition. The course will focus on object recognition and detection, introducing the tools of computer vision in support of building an automatic object recognition and classification system. Labs will involve implementing both offline and real-time object recognition and classification systems.
ENGR 021 , or permission of the instructor. MATH 027 or MATH 028 is recommended. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS. Spring 2027. Zucker. Spring 2028 Zucker. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 028Mobile Robotics1
(Cross-listed as CPSC 082 ) This course addresses the problems of controlling and motivating robots to act intelligently in dynamic, unpredictable environments. Major topics will include mechanical design, robot perception, kinematics and inverse kinematics, navigation and control, optimization and learning, and robot simulation techniques. To demonstrate these concepts, we will be looking at mobile robots, robot arms and positioning devices, and virtual agents. Labs will focus on programming robots to execute tasks and to explore and interact with their environment.
ENGR 021 or permission of the instructor. MATH 027 or MATH 028 is recommended. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Eligible for COGS Fall 2026. Johnson. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 029Embedded Systems1
Connected systems that used embedded microcontrollers are becoming more and more pervasive, with applications in the car, home, and body. This course will explore how to design embedded systems. Topics will include biomedical signal acquisition and processing, numerical computation, and audio/video signal processing. This course includes a laboratory.
ENGR 021 , or permission of the instructor. Natural Science and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Delano. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 035Solar Energy Systems1
Fundamental physical concepts and system design techniques of solar energy systems are covered. Topics include solar geometry, components of solar radiation, analysis of thermal and photovoltaic solar collectors, energy storage, computer simulation of system performance, computer-aided design optimization, and economic feasibility assessment. This course includes a laboratory. Offered in the fall semester of alternate years.
PHYS 004 , MATH 025 , some coding experience in a procedural computer language such as Matlab, Python, or C, or the permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS Fall 2027 Everbach. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 041Thermofluid Mechanics1
This course introduces macroscopic thermodynamics: first and second laws, properties of pure substances, and applications using system and control volume formulation. Also introduced is fluid mechanics: development of conservation theorems, hydrostatics, and the dynamics of one-dimensional fluid motion with and without friction.
C- or better in all of ENGR 006 , ENGR 012 , and MATH 033 , MATH 034 , or MATH 035 . Lab required. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Loh. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 051Biomedical Signals1.0
This course explores methods for the analysis of biomedical signals. The types of signals discussed in this course include those that emanate from electrical activity in the body, such as electrocardiograms (ECG), electroencephalograms (EEG), and electromyograms (EMG). In addition, this course will examine signals generated from external sources such as image data from x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance images (MRI), and ultrasound. Methods of analysis for biomedical signals and images studied in this course include standard digital signal processing techniques as well as newer time-frequency domain methods such as the wavelet transform. Applications of these methods include filtering, denoising, spectral estimation, and classification. Topics such as the Radon transform, used in tomographic reconstruction of image data, will also be covered.
ENGR 012 with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab and project included. 1.0 credit. Fall 2026. Moser. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 052Computer-Aided Manufacturing and Procedural Design1
Topics include computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and digital fabrication technologies such as computer numerical controlled (CNC) machining and laser cutting. The course will provide a grounding in basic computational geometry relevant to CAM and CNC, focusing on the connections between tool paths, cutting tool types, and the shapes of the parts to be fabricated. Other areas of study include the effects of tool shape (e.g. rake angle), number of cutting surfaces, and feeds & speeds on machining quality and surface finish. Students will write programs implementing generative design techniques to directly emit sculptures and models in industry-standard file formats such as SVG, STL, and G-code that can be fabricated on equipment at Swarthmore.
ENGR 021 or permission of the instructor. MATH 027 or MATH 028 is recommended. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 053Inclusive Engineering Design1.0
Technology created by humans reflects our biases and priorities. Engineering a better world requires an interrogation of how we design. This course will combine critical works in technology studies with hands-on, student directed design projects. The course will investigate the relationship between design and bodies, identities, and society. Readings will draw from fields such as disability studies and science and technology studies. Students will apply design methods such as universal design, human centered design, and critical design. This course is open to both Engineering students and non-majors with some previous design experience, such as Computer Science or Art majors.
Any course involving design of physical objects or software, for example: ENGR 021 , ENGR 006 , CPSC 071 , ARTT 005A , THEA 004A , THEA 004B , THEA 004C , or permission of the instructor. 1.0 credit Eligible for GSST Fall 2026. Delano. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 054Environmental Data Analysis
ENVS Welcome to Environmental Data Analysis! This course introduces students to probability theory, probabilistic models, stochastic processes, parameter estimation, and model evaluation for environmental systems. Most importantly, the course prepares students to analyze real-world environmental data, and to critically evaluate others’ data analyses (e.g., in the academic literature, in the professional context, and in the news). Students will design and complete an environmental data analysis project over the course of the semester. In this course you will be introduced to a number of data analysis and modeling tools including spreadsheets (in Excel) and programming (in R). Students will also gain experience effectively communicating their work through writing (via assignments, lab reports, and a final project). The course meets weekly for 3 hours of lecture and biweekly for 3 hours of lab. This course will integrate lecture, discussion, problem solving, student projects, and hands-on laboratories involving real-world data analyses.
Calc 1 & Calc 2 (Math 15 & Math 25) Class will have lab & lecture 1 Spring 2027. Vergara. Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 055Statistical Signal Processing1
A first-course on the theory and applications of statistical signal processing. Topic will benefit students interested in the design and analysis of signal processing systems, i.e., to extract information from noisy signals - radar engineer, sonar engineer, geophysicist, oceanographer, biomedical engineer, communications engineer, economist, statistician, physicist, etc. The course provides numerous examples, which illustrate both theory and applications for problems such as high-resolution spectral analysis, system identification, digital filter design, adaptive beamforming and noise cancellation, and tracking and localization.
ENGR 014 and MATH 027 Natural science and engineering. 1 credit Fall 2026. Piovoso. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 058Control Theory and Design1
This introduction to the control of engineering systems includes analysis and design of linear control systems using root locus, frequency response, and state space techniques. It also provides an introduction to digital control techniques, including analysis of A/D and D/A converters, digital controllers, and numerical control algorithms.
ENGR 012 or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Piovoso. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 059Introduction to Mechanics II1
This course is about how structures carry loads and deform in response to loads, how and why they may fail and how we as engineers can approach the analysis of load bearing systems and communicate such analysis to other engineers. This course is a bridge between statics (which enables you to perform mechanical analyses of external and internal loading of structural elements) and design (how do we make a component/system that will serve its required purpose without failing). This course provides a foundation for understanding and interpreting the results of more advanced approaches to analyzing complex structures (e.g. finite element analyses). Specifically, this course will build on your knowledge from ENGR 006 to further help you to understand the concepts of stress, strain, and deformation; to compute relevant components of stress, strain and deformation during common loading conditions seen in structures; and to demonstrate how material properties and structural geometry contribute to stress, strain and deformation using governing equations. Laboratory activities will give you hands-on experience related to these topics. Students are required to attend at the most four full labs the first half of the semester and the second half of the semester is self-scheduled.
C- or better in ENGR 006 or in an equivalent course. You may also seek the permission of the instructor to take the course.
Corequisite
MATH 025 Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Towles, Masroor. Fall 2027 Towles, O’Donnell. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 060Structural Analysis1
This course covers fundamental principles of structural mechanics including statically determinate and intermediate analysis of frames and trusses, approximate analysis of indeterminate structures, virtual work principles, and elements of matrix methods of analysis and digital computer applications. Offered in the fall semester of alternate years.
ENGR 006 and ENGR 059 , or permission from the instructor Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 061Geotechnical Engineering: Theory and Design1
Soil and rock mechanics are explored, including soil and rock formation, soil mineralogy, soil types, compaction, soil hydraulics, consolidation, stresses in soil masses, slope stability, and bearing capacity as well as their application to engineering design problems.
Grade of B or better in ENGR 006 or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 062Structural Design1
This course covers the behavior and design of steel and concrete structural members. Topics will include a discussion of the applicable design codes and their applications to structural design. Normally offered in the spring semester of alternate years.
ENGR 006 and ENGR 059 , or permission from the instructor Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Spring 2027. O’Donnell. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 064Foundation Design
The foundational knowledge of soil, rock, and structural mechanics is utilized to analyze and design foundation systems and earth-retaining structures. The course addresses the capacity, settlement, and deformation of both shallow and deep foundations, as well as the stability of earth-retaining structures such as retaining walls and braced excavation. The laboratory section of the course will build upon the laboratory session of ENGR 061 to conduct site investigations and perform experiments measuring strength parameters.
ENGR 006 and ENGR 061 Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 065Introduction to Biomechanics1
This course will provide an introduction to the mechanical behavior of biological tissues and systems. It is designed to enable you to analyze human movement by utilizing basic principles of engineering mechanics as tools for discovery and understanding. Principles of statics and dynamics, as applied to biomechanical systems, and concepts in mechanics of materials, as applied to biological tissues, will be reviewed and introduced. You will be provided an appreciation for the complex structures of biologic tissues that contribute to material properties and biomechanical function. Aspects of human anatomy and physiology will be introduced as appropriate for considering factors that enable human movement and for analyzing human movement. Topics will include equilibrium analysis in biomechanical systems; study of the neuromotor system; study of human posture maintenance, locomotion and vertical jumping; and study of the structure and function of biological tissues, and their mechanical properties.
C- or better in both ENGR 006 and ENGR 012 or in equivalent courses. You may also seek the permission of the instructor. Natural science and engineering. Lab required. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Towles. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 067Introduction to Environmental Engineering1.0
(Cross-listed as ENVS 067 ) This course introduces students to problems and solution approaches in environmental engineering. The course includes critical analysis of problems from both engineering and science perspectives through case studies in air, water, energy, climate and waste resources. In this course, students will be introduced to problem solving and research methods including spreadsheets, technical writing, and use of scientific instrumentation. The course meets weekly for 2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab, and integrates lecture, discussion, problem solving, student projects, and hands-on laboratories involving computation, air and water quality sampling, electricity, and outdoor field activities.
CHEM 010 ; or permission of instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1.0 credit Eligible for ENVS Spring 2027. Vergara Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 069Solid Waste Engineering
Welcome to the world of garbage! This course introduces students to the full life cycle of how municipal solid wastes are - and could be – managed. E69 includes design of processes and facilities for the management of municipal solid wastes, with a focus on quantitative analyses. This course will integrate lecture, discussion, problem solving, field trips, hands-on laboratories and design projects.
CHEM 010 or permission from the instructor NSEP Eligible for ENVS Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 071Digital Signal Processing1
Students will be introduced to difference equations and discrete-time transform theory, the Z-transform and Fourier representation of sequences, and fast Fourier transform algorithms. Discrete time transfer functions and filter design techniques are also introduced.
ENGR 012 with a grade of C- or better or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Moser. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 073Physical Electronics1
Topics include the physical properties of semiconductor materials and semiconductor devices; the physics of electron/hole dynamics; band and transport theory; and electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of semiconductor crystals. Devices examined include diodes, transistors, FETs, LEDs, lasers, and pin photo-detectors. Modeling and fabrication processes are covered.
ENGR 011 or PHYS 008 or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 075Electromagnetic Theory I1
The static and dynamic treatment of engineering applications of Maxwell’s equations will be explored. Topics include macroscopic field treatment of interactions with dielectric, conducting, and magnetic materials; analysis of forces and energy storage as the basis of circuit theory; electromagnetic waves in free space and guidance within media; plane waves and modal propagation; and polarization, reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference. The lab will include optical applications using lasers, fiber and integrated optical devices, modulators, nonlinear materials, and solid-state detectors.
ENGR 012 , or PHYS 008 , or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Molter. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 076Engineering Applications of Waves and Physical Optics1
Focusing on applications of waves, especially in optics, topics such as polarization, waveguides, optical fibers, transmission lines, antennas, lasers, and optical detectors will be included. Time will be divided approximately equally between classroom and laboratory work. Students will choose a topic of current relevance for an individual or group project, and present their results.
MATH 033 , MATH 034 or MATH 035 ; ENGR 012 or PHYS 008 ; or permission by the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 078Communication Systems1
This course expolres theory and design principles of analog and digital communication systems. Topics include frequency domain analysis of signals; signal transmission and filtering; random signals and noise; AM, PM, and FM signals; sampling and pulse modulation; digital signal transmission; Pulse Code Modulation; coding; and information theory. Applications to practical systems such as television and data communications are covered. Offered in the spring semester of alternate years.
ENGR 012 with a grade of C- or better or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 082Materials Engineering
We interact with myriad materials in our everyday lives, from plastic packaging, to metals in our laptops, to ceramic bowls. This course will teach you the fundamentals of materials science and engineering, covering mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of polymers, ceramics, metals, semiconductors, and more. We’ll question what sustainability means in the context of materials production, consumption, and recycling. Class activities include materials characterization labs, structured debates, case studies, and a final project.
C- or better in ENGR 006 AND MATH 015 AND PHYS 004 or CHEM 010 ; or permission of instructor. Lab included. Spring 2027. Loh. Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 083Fluid Mechanics1
Fluid mechanics is treated as a special case of continuum mechanics in the analysis of fluid flow systems. Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are covered along with applications to the study of inviscid and viscous, incompressible, and compressible fluids.
ENGR 006 , ENGR 012 , ENGR 021 , ENGR 059 , MATH 033 / MATH 034 / MATH 035 with C- or better, and MATH 043 / MATH 044 with C- or better; or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 086Dynamics of Mechanical Systems1
Rigid-body kinematics and dynamics in plane and three-dimensional motion using fixed as well as moving reference frames. The course will use both Newtonian (i.e. force-based) and Lagrangian (i.e., variational) methods to derive the (differential) equations of motion for mechanical systems. The resulting equations will be solved analytically when possible and numerically using MATLAB or Python when appropriate.
ENGR 006 , ENGR 012 , ENGR 021 , MATH 033 / MATH 034 / MATH 035 with a C- or better, and MATH 043 / MATH 044 with a C- or better; or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab included. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Masroor. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 087Aerodynamics1
The course will cover the fundamentals of subsonic aerodynamics, focusing on the characteristics of airfoils and wings and the history of human flight. Labs will include wind tunnel tests of different designs and the opportunity for students to research and present a topic of personal interest.
ENGR 006 , or ENGR 059 , and MATH 033 / MATH 034 / MATH 035 . Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Everbach. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 090Engineering Design
Students work on a design project that is the culminating exercise for all senior engineering majors. Students work in teams to investigate a problem of their choice in an area of interest to them under the guidance of a faculty member. A comprehensive written report and an oral presentation are required. This class is available only to engineering majors. Majors will be enrolled in the course by the department. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Writing course Spring only. 0 credits in Fall, 1 credit in Spring. Fall 2026. O’Donnell, Zucker. Fall 2027 Molter, Towles.
This course will introduce students to the exciting field of nonlinear dynamics and chaos, with an emphasis on its applications in the sciences broadly and in engineering specifically. Emphasis will be placed on the interpretation and analysis of the behavior of systems governed by nonlinear differential equations, including but not limited to mechanical, electrical, biological, chemical and social processes. Topics will include fixed points, stability, potentials, bifurcations, and the phase plane. Chaos will be introduced in a mathematically rigorous way, and students will learn how to quantify and interpret chaos – as opposed to randomness – when it occurs in systems of engineering and scientific interest.
ENGR 006 , ENGR 012 , ENGR 021 , MATH 033 / MATH 034 / MATH 035 with C- or better, and MATH 043 / MATH 044 with C- or better; or permission of the instructor. Natural science and engineering. Special topics courses will normally include a lab, substantial project, or the equivalent. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Engineering Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/engineering Access the class schedule to search for sections.
ENGR 093Directed Reading or Project
Qualified students may do special work with theoretical, experimental, or design emphasis in an area not covered by regular courses with the permission of a willing faculty supervisor in the department. The student and faculty member will agree on a plan and scope of work at the beginning of the term. The student will typically meet weekly with the advisor and will produce written documentation of their work. Directed readings that count for the major are normally expected to include a lab, substantial project, or the equivalent. .5 or 1 credit.
In addition to ENGR 090 , an honors major may undertake an honors thesis in the fall semester of the senior year with approval of the department and a faculty adviser. A prospectus of the thesis problem must be submitted and approved not later than the end of junior year. This course cannot be used in lieu of an engineering elective; engineering majors interested in an honors thesis must complete at least 13 engineering credits (and therefore at least 33 credits at the college to satisfy the 20-credit rule). Offered only with departmental approval and faculty supervision. 1 credit.
