Manufacturing 1a: Introduction; 1b: Your Path in Manufactoring

Semester A: Do you ever look at your man-made surroundings and find yourself fascinated at how it was created? Modern manufacturing is the answer. In this course, you will learn the big picture of manufacturing- categories, how companies decide what to produce, and how companies produce it- and making items in the most cost-effective way. You will also study the history of manufacturing technologies, so you can see the future possibilities for manufacturing more clearly as you start to do activities where you’ll learn how your ideas can become a reality. Get ready to unveil how modern manufacturing creates the world we live in.

Semester B: We live in a manufactured world. From the chair you’re sitting on to each semiconductor in the screen you’re looking at, most of the objects in your life came out of a factory. While the knowledge, materials, and skills needed to create these objects are distinct, there are many commonalities in the manufacturing process. Ideas need to be generated, resources need to be managed, and teams need to be led. This course will cover many of these commonalities, including managing resources, product development, operations, testing, teamwork, documentation, and much more. You’ll learn both what is involved in the various areas of manufacturing and what a career in different fields would be like. Along the way, you’ll do activities that enrich your knowledge and give you the opportunity to delve into the areas that interest you most. A career in manufacturing is a chance to help make the world we live in!