The course EID-103 – Principles of Design, aimed at freshman engineering students, is an elective which combines reverse engineering with the creation of a simple device. In reverse engineering an object – such as a floppy disk drive, a toy robotic arm, or a computer mouse, for instance – is dissected, and the components as well as the assembly are analyzed sketched and discussed. A CD-Rom, Leonardo and His Flying Machine, is used in this course. Students working in teams discuss the rationale for selected materials, components operations, dimensions, manufacturing, repair, replacement, modification, patents, economics of production, marketing and recycling. Students keep a journal, report their findings orally and in writing, and prepare a short video demonstration. After that experience lasting 5 weeks, students spend the next 10 weeks designing a product. The product must be embodied in a prototype of 10 pieces or less and the presentation must include a patent search and a marketing plan. LINK: Engineering Design in Context.