Coursework Recommended by SSR Teams

As a Stanford undergrad, you’ve got access to a ton of classes. It’s easy to overload. Hands-on work matters just as much, and being on an engineering team is basically a 4–6 unit class on its own. Pace yourself!


Here are classes our members recommend based on what’s actually useful in SSR.

Software
Computer Organization & Systems
CS107
Low-level memory management, C programming, and debugging.
Operating Systems Principles
CS111
Concurrency, Processes, I/O, Systems. Useful when working on embedded Linux edge compute.
A Hands-On Introduction to Building AI-Enabled Robots
CS123
Provides hands-on foundational experience in building and controlling quadrupeds. Includes motor control, simulation, and RL.
Feedback Control Design
ENGR 105
Intro to feedback control design for stability, tracking, dynamic response.
Computer Vision: Foundations and Applications
CS131
Fundamentals of computer vision including image processing, feature extraction, 3D geometry, motion tracking, and visual recognition for autonomous systems.
State Estimation and Filtering
AA273
Teaches state estimation algorithms that enable accurate localization, sensor fusion, and navigation for autonomous robots.
Policy
Special Operations Forces in an Era of Great Power Competition
INTLPOL 242S
Features guest lectures from experienced Special Operation Forces leaders.Teaches integrated deterrence, irregular warfare, and strategic influence.
AI, Autonomy, and the Future of Warfare
PUBLPOL 119
Explores how government, industry, and academia integrate emerging technologies into defense systems, teaching how to build and deploy impactful national security innovations.
Fundamentals of Cyber Policy and Security
INTLPOL 321
Intro to fundemental issues in cyber policy and security. Explores economics, psychology, law, warfare, IR, critical infra, privacy, and innovation.
Hacking for Defense (H4D)
MS&E 193
Spend 10 weeks working on real problems from SOCOM, DARPA, e.c.t. Learn to sell into governement and navigate procurement.
Mechanical
Intro to Mechatronics
ME 210
Electronics, Mechanical Design, Circuits
Mechanics of Materials
ME 80
Stress, strain, bending, torsion, and failure analysis for designing lightweight, strong structures like drone frames and mounts.
Mechanical Design
ME 102
Design methodology, tolerances, fasteners, fatigue, and real-world part design for manufacturable, reliable mechanical systems.
Electrical
Intro to Making
ENGR 40M
Circuits, sensors, actuators, MCUs, PWM, ADCs, wiring and soldering.
Circuits I
EE101A
Learn circuit modeling, component behavior, and linear and nonlinear analysis under static and dynamic operation.
Circuits II
EE 101B
Aanalog gain stages, frequency response, feedback, filtering, ADC fundamentals, and circuit simulation for modern electronic systems.
Introduction to Embedded Systems
EE 186
MCUs, GPIO, interrupts, buses, storage, testing
Board Level Design
EE 156
Basics of how to build PCBs! In this class you will make several PCBs and gain deep exposure to circuits and planar elecromagnetics.
Analog Communications Design Lab
EE 153
Hands-on RF systems, analog modulation, filtering, noise, amplification, and communication circuits, emphasizing real-world signal generation, transmission, measurement, and debugging in lab.

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