MILESTONES is a series of skills-based microcredential certifications in engineering and prototyping skills. Since 2019, the program has provided technical experiences that supplement and enhance knowledge gained in traditional classroom curricula in collaboration with the Office of Professional Practice.

Developed under the guidance and decades of experience of Purdue Engineering faculty, the modules average 10-15 hours of hands-on practical training. The program aims to enhance the technical abilities of Purdue and partner university students, preparing them with skills for professional engineering careers.

Courses follow a hands-on, learning-by-doing philosophy and a field-specific systems approach, focusing on practical skills ready for use in industry or research environments.

Upon successful completion of module(s), students receive a digital certificate via their Purdue email. Certificates are issued after each semester within one month of final exams. Students are encouraged to showcase this credential on professional platforms such as LinkedIn.

Registration

Registration opens on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at 8 a.m.

Fall 2026

  • Session 1: Sept.7-Oct. 9
  • Session 2: Oct. 19-Nov. 20

Courses offered: CAD/3D Printing, Fundamentals of Mechanical Design (SOLIDWORKS), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Reverse Engineering - 3D Scanning, 3DEXPERIENCE (Dassault Systèmes), Introduction to Electronics, Programming with Arduino, and Boilermaker Embedded Entry Program (BEEP).

Please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of this page if you have questions.

Boilermaker Embedded Entry Program (BEEP)

New

BEEP is a hands-on, 8-week embedded systems course built around the ESP32 microcontroller and the ESP-IDF framework. In this Milestones course, students progress from basic GPIO control to industry-relevant skills, like interrupt-driven design, timers and PWM, I2C communication, analog-to-digital conversion, and multitasking with FreeRTOS. The course culminates in a self-directed capstone project that adds to the students’ portfolio.

Sessions are synchronous and in-person, run by Embedded Systems @ Purdue (ES@P). Students are encouraged to attend weekly, because each week builds directly on the last. A kit is provided for in-lab use each week; in the final week, students take their kit home to build and demo their capstone project.

Prerequisite: Some prior programming experience recommended (e.g., completion of Programming with Arduino or equivalent).

Time: Sundays, 1-4 p.m.

Unique session: Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27; Oct. 4, 18, 25; Nov. 1

Location: BHEE 162


 

Prototyping and Manufacturing

CAD/3D Printing

Group of students working together at a table.

The CAD/3D Printing Milestones course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to navigate CAD software, create designs with intermediate-level geometry, approach design problems from multiple perspectives, and bring ideas to life through 3D printing. Each session lasts approximately two hours.

This course is taught in collaboration with Purdue University's chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Time: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Session 1: Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6

Location: TBD

If an instructor or student is unable to attend a meeting, a make-up week will be scheduled to complete any outstanding work.

Fundamentals of Mechanical Design (SOLIDWORKS)

This Milestones course introduces students to the fundamentals of mechanical design using SOLIDWORKS. The course is structured to prepare students for the Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) exam by emphasizing parametric modeling, design intent and applied problem-solving.

Time: Asynchronous, office hours TBD

Unique session: Sept. 8-Nov. 20

Location: Virtual / Brightspace

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Finite Element Analysis simulation image

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is the simulation of physical phenomena using the Finite Element Method (FEM). It allows for testing before production, reducing prototyping time and enabling simulation of complex problems such as blast wave propagation and crashes across vehicles and systems. FEA also has applications in biology for modeling injuries. In this Milestones course, students learn mesh quality, stress analysis and boundary conditions required for structural simulations. Each session lasts approximately two hours. CAD experience is recommended.

The course is taught in collaboration with Purdue University's Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Time: Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Session 1: Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8

Location: DLR 131 / Virtually (last two lectures)

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

This Milestones course focuses on beginner to intermediate GD&T, along with manufacturing processes and design considerations. Students learn print reading, tolerancing, datums, profiles, tolerance stackups and inspection methods. The course also covers machine shop processes, additive manufacturing, and material treatments such as heat treatment. Each session lasts approximately two hours.

This course is taught in collaboration with Purdue University's Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Time: Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Session 1: Sept. 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5

Location: BRNG 2991

If an instructor or student cannot attend a meeting, a make-up week will be scheduled to finish any outstanding work.

Reverse Engineering - 3D Scanning

The Reverse Engineering Milestones course focuses on exploring the fundamentals of 3D scanning technology, its principles and its applications in the field of reverse engineering. Students learn best practices for capturing intricate details and handling challenging surfaces. This course also covers software tools for cleaning, aligning and merging point clouds to create a comprehensive 3D representation, and the integration of scanned data into CAD software for modification, analysis and optimization. CAD experience is highly recommended.

Time: Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Session 1: Sept. 14, 21, 28; Oct. 5

Location: BRK 1001

If an instructor or student cannot attend a meeting, a make-up week will be scheduled to finish any outstanding work.

3DEXPERIENCE (Dassault Systèmes)

Two males and females working on large post-it on wall.

From CAD modeling to virtual experience development for AR/VR devices — such as Apple Vision Pro — this Milestones course explores Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its most widely used applications.

Course modules

  • Part design: CAD modeling
  • Assembly design: assemblies, kinematics and motion
  • Creative experience: virtual experience development

Learn how to use one of the leading CAD platforms in the industry to:

  • Create detailed and complex 3D models
  • Improve designs through kinematic and assembly-based analysis
  • Translate models into interactive virtual experiences using AR/VR/XR devices

This course serves as a starting point for exploring Virtual Twins technology at the Birck Nanotechnology Center (Virtual Twins@Birck).

Note: Windows computer required (Mac not supported).

Time: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Unique session: Sept. 8-Nov. 20

Location: MRGN 121

Electronics and App Development

Introduction to Electronics

Through this Milestones course, students learn to build a "Good Night Light” circuit using operational amplifiers and photoresistors. Students design, build and test a professional-grade printed circuit board (PCB) that they solder and take at the conclusion of the workshop. The course discusses the basics of electronics, covering concepts ranging from Ohm’s Law, filters and operational amplifiers. The course is meant to give students a practical look at the basic principles of circuits and their utility. Sessions are asynchronous, using an "open lab" concept. The first meeting is in person and explains the logistics of the course.

Students should budget two hours per week to get the work and come to the lab between 4-8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Time: Tuesdays, 4-8 p.m.

Session 1: Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6

Location: LMBS 5237

If an instructor or student cannot attend a meeting, a make-up week will be scheduled to finish any outstanding work.

Programming with Arduino

Arduinos are open-source, programmable microcontrollers that prototype a variety of electromechanical systems. They are great for demonstrating an idea or mechanism. In this Milestones course, students learn how to program them, make sketches, use them to take data and actuate motors. Sessions are asynchronous with an "open lab" concept. The first meeting is in person and explains the logistics of this course.

Students should budget two hours per week to get the work and come to the lab between 4-8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Time: Tuesdays, 4-8 p.m.

Session 1: Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6

Location: LMBS 5237

If an instructor or student cannot attend a meeting, a make-up week will be scheduled to finish any outstanding work.

FAQs

How much does a Milestones workshop cost?

Milestones workshops are free for Purdue students.

What is the benefit of the courses?

Students gain hands-on technical experience and earn a digital badge for professional profiles such as LinkedIn.

What is the time commitment?

Each workshop includes scheduled sessions plus recommended independent practice time.

Which courses require kits?

Instructors will notify students after registration.

Do students need to attend multiple sessions?

No. Multiple sessions are offered for scheduling flexibility.

For additional questions, contact Alejandro Benitez.