MILESTONES is a series of skills-based, micro-credential certifications on engineering and prototyping skills. This program has been providing technical experiences to supplement and enhance knowledge gained in traditional classroom curriculum in collaboration with the Office of Professional Practice since 2019. The program has been developed under the guidance and decades of experience of Purdue Engineering Faculty. Modules average 10 to 15 hours of hands-on practical training. This program aims to enhance the technical abilities of Purdue and Partner University students to prepare them with skills for their professional engineering careers.
The courses are guided by a hands-on, learning-by-doing philosophy and a field-specific systems approach which centers the learning on useful skills that are ready to be used in industry or research enterprises.
Upon successful completion of the module(s), students receive a digital certificate via their Purdue email. Certificates will be issued after each semester within a month after final exams. We encourage the display of this accolade on professional social media outlets such as LinkedIn
Please check out the FAQ at the bottom of this page if you have any questions.
*Fall Session II Registration Opens October 2*
Session I: September 11 - October 6
Session II: October 16 - November 10
To register for Milestones:
1. Click here to Log on to the Symplicity Database using Boilerkey
2. Click here to select Milestones and register for the course you are interested in
Electronics and App Development
Programming with Arduino
Arduinos are open-source, programmable microcontrollers that let you prototype a variety of electromechanical systems. They are great for demonstrating an idea or mechanism. In this MILESTONES workshop, we will learn how to program them, make sketches, use them to take data and actuate motors. These sessions will be asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting will be in-person and explain the logistics of this course.
Fall Session: Please budget two hours of time for work each week. You will get the work and be able to come to the lab anytime between 4:00PM - 8:00PM on Mondays.
- Session I: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2
- Session II: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
First in-person meeting for Session I will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on 9/11 for Session I and 10/16 for Session II in Shreve C111.
Introduction to Electronics
Through this workshop, we will learn to build a "GoodNightLight” circuit using operational amplifiers and photoresistors. Design, build and test a professional-grade printed circuit board (PCB) that you will solder yourself and take with you at the conclusion of the workshop. We will discuss the basics of electronics covering concepts ranging from Ohm’s Law, filters, operational amplifiers, and the like. This will be an introductory course meant to give students a practical look at the basic principles of circuits and their utility. These sessions will be asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting will be in-person and explain the logistics of this course.
Fall Session: Please budget two hours of time for work each week. You will get the work and be able to come to the lab anytime between 4:00PM - 8:00PM on Mondays.
- Session I: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2
- Session II: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
First in-person meeting for Session I will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on 9/11 for Session I and 10/16 for Session II in Shreve C111.
Smart Healthcare
In this workshop, we will learn the principles of designing common biomedical instruments like optical heart monitors, electrocardiograms, and electroencephalograms. We will design filters, complex op amp circuits like instrumentation and summing amplifiers, and then finally design our own prototype (these are not medical devices) biomedical devices for measuring heart rate, EEG signals, etc. Each session lasts approximately two hours. These sessions will be asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting will be in-person and explain the logistics of this course.
Fall Session: Please budget two hours of time for work each week. You will get the work and be able to come to the lab anytime between 4:00PM - 8:00PM on Mondays.
- Session I: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2
- Session II: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
First in-person meeting for Session I will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on 9/11 for Session I and 10/16 for Session II in Shreve C111.
Pre-requisites: Introduction to Electronics Milestone or have taken ECE 201, ECE 207, BME 305 (or other similar course)
Python
This EBEC course demonstrates programming concepts with Python, explains high-level language programming structures, algorithm development and generation of high-quality technical plots that can be incorporated into technical reports. Programming with Python will aid in solving typical engineering challenges.
For more information on the Python workshop, click here.
Make Your Own Website
These sessions will be asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting will be in-person and explain the logistics of this course.
Fall Session: Please budget two hours of time for work each week. You will get the work and be able to come to the lab anytime between 4:00PM - 8:00PM on Mondays.
- Session I: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2
- Session II: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
First in-person meeting for Session I will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on 9/11 for Session I and 10/16 for Session II in Shreve C111.
Pre-requisites: Python from EveryBoilermaker Engineer Codes
Introduction to GIS
Geographic information systems (GIS) is a popular way to gather, analyze, and visualize geographical information. This Milestone workshop will discuss key concepts in GIS such as coordinates, data types, and geospatial data, as well as basic skills in finding desired datasets, organizing geospatial data, and displaying spatial patterns based on spatial analysis. The course will meet in person in an ITaP computer lab with the required GIS software.
Upcoming Sessions: TBD
Make Your Own iOS App
Students will learn how to build iOS apps. Students will learn how to add user interface (UI) elements to the app like buttons, textboxes, labels, etc. We will use Xcode for our development environment and Swift as our programming language. We will also use GitHub for version control. These sessions will be asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting will be in-person and explain the logistics of this course.
Required: Students must have their own Mac computer and an iPhone or iPad to participate in this workshop.
Fall Session: Please budget two hours of time for work each week. You will get the work and be able to come to the lab anytime between 4:00PM - 8:00PM on Mondays.
- Session I: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2
- Session II: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
First in-person meeting for Session I will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on 9/11 for Session I and 10/16 for Session II in Shreve C111.
Pre-requisites: Some previous programming experience in any language is required.
Make Your Own Android App
Students will learn how to build Android apps. Students will learn how to add user interface (UI) elements to the app like buttons, textboxes, labels, etc. The app will specifically be designed to receive and send data to and from an Arduino microcontroller. We will use Android Studio for our development environment and Kotlin as our programming language. We will also use GitHub for version control. These sessions will be asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting will be in-person and explain the logistics of this course.
Required: Students must have their own Android phone or tablet participate in this workshop.
Fall Session: Please budget two hours of time for work each week. You will get the work and be able to come to the lab anytime between 4:00PM - 8:00PM on Mondays.
- Session I: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2
- Session II: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
First in-person meeting for Session I will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM on 9/11 for Session I and 10/16 for Session II in Shreve C111.
Prerequisites: Some previous programming experience in any language is required.
Prototyping and Manufacturing
CAD/3D Printing
The CAD/3D printing milestone was designed to provide students the necessary tools to navigate through CAD software, create designs with intermediate level geometries, approach a design problem in different angles, and bring an idea to life by means of 3D printing. Each session lasts approximately two hours.
This course is taught in collaboration with Purdue's Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Fall Session
Tuesdays, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14
Location: KNOY B019
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerance (GD&T)
This milestones class will focus on beginner to intermediate level Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), as well as different manufacturing processes with associated design considerations. Over the course of the class, students will learn valuable GD&T skills such as print reading, tolerancing, datums, profiles, and tolerance stackups. Additionally, this course will cover design considerations for standard machine shop machines, additive manufacturing, various material treatments such as heat treatment, and associated inspection methods to ensure parts are built to specification. Each session lasts approximately two hours.
Fall Session
Thursdays, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9
Location: LMBS 5249
Finite Element Analyis (FEA)
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is the simulation of physical phenomena using the Finite Element Method (FEM). It allows for testing before production, which leads to less time spent prototyping and allows for the simulation of complex problems such as blast wave propagation and crashes (whether they be planes, trains, automobiles, boats, ships, etc.) in an environment that is completely user controlled. FEA even has applications in biology for modeling injuries. You’ll learn the basics of mesh quality, stress analysis and boundary conditions which are all required to do Structural Simulations. Each session lasts approximately two hours. CAD experience is recommended. Must be at least a sophomore to take this course.
This course is taught in collaboration with Purdue's Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Fall Session
Wednesdays, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15
Location: MRGN 121
FAQ
How much does a Milestones workshop cost?
Milestones workshops are free of charge to Purdue students.
What is the benefit of these courses?
These courses are designed to give you hands-on experiences to help you develop skills you will need in the workfield. Once you have completed a Milestones course, you will also receive a digital badge you can put on your LinkedIn profile. This will allow employers to see that you have technical skills they may be looking for.
What is the time commitment?
Each workshop session will last 2 hours. It is recommended that you spend the same amount of time outside of the workshop reviewing the material to ensure you understand it.
Which courses require kits?
Course instructors will let you know upon confirming registration.
There are two sessions for the same course. Do I need to sign up for both?
No. Each session is the same course. The different sessions are offered to provide options and flexibility to students’ schedules.
For any other questions, please email Jenny, jnstrick@purdue.edu