Principles of Manufacturing course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This MicroMasters® program offers a rigorous, graduate-level curriculum in modern manufacturing systems, designed for engineers and operations professionals aiming to lead in smart industrial environments. The program spans approximately 40 weeks of content with an estimated 10–12 hours per week, totaling 400–480 hours. It combines engineering fundamentals with operational strategy, covering manufacturing processes, systems design, lean principles, supply chain integration, and Industry 4.0 technologies. The curriculum concludes with a proctored capstone exam to validate mastery and award the MITx MicroMasters® credential.
Module 1: Manufacturing Processes and Materials
Estimated time: 90 hours
- Material properties and behavior in manufacturing
- Casting, forming, and machining processes
- Additive manufacturing techniques
- Production method selection and cost analysis
- Fundamentals of quality control in processing
Module 2: Manufacturing Systems and Operations
Estimated time: 90 hours
- Production flow and throughput dynamics
- System capacity and bottleneck analysis
- Process variability and performance modeling
- Quantitative tools for system evaluation
- Operations optimization principles
Module 3: Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing
Estimated time: 90 hours
- Lean manufacturing and waste reduction strategies
- Just-in-Time (JIT) production systems
- Inventory management and control
- Supply chain coordination and integration
- Continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Kaizen)
Module 4: Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing
Estimated time: 90 hours
- Automation and robotics in production
- Internet of Things (IoT) applications in factories
- Digital twins and real-time monitoring
- Data analytics for manufacturing decisions
- Cyber-physical systems in smart factories
Module 5: Systems-Level Thinking and Technological Transformation
Estimated time: 40 hours
- Integration of Industry 4.0 technologies
- Data-driven process optimization
- Strategic transformation in industrial operations
Module 6: Final Project
Estimated time: 20 hours
- Comprehensive proctored capstone examination
- Assessment across all course domains
- Credentialing for MITx MicroMasters® in Principles of Manufacturing
Prerequisites
- Undergraduate-level engineering or technical background
- Familiarity with basic mathematics and analytical reasoning
- Recommended: Experience in manufacturing or operations (preferred but not required)
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Design and analyze modern manufacturing processes and systems
- Apply lean principles to eliminate waste and improve efficiency
- Integrate Industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT, automation, and data analytics
- Evaluate and optimize production performance using quantitative models
- Lead technological transformation and operational improvement in industrial settings