Course syllabus for Introduction to industrial design engineering

Course syllabus adopted 2025-02-21 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameIntroduktion till teknisk design
  • CodeIMS170
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKTDE
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Design Engineering
  • ThemeEnvironment 1 c,MTS 1.5 c
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingUG - Pass, Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 70114
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0125 Written and oral assignments 4 c
Grading: UG		4 c
0225 Written and oral assignments 3.5 c
Grading: UG		 3.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

None beyond what is required for eligibility for Chalmers’ Industrial Design engineering program (300hp).

Aim

The course will provide an introduction to the industrial design subject area both theoretically and practically. Which includes theoretical foundations in design as a concept, the design process and its methods/tools, the professional role(s) 

Practical elements in sketch, modeling, product development project, workshop introduction, study visits will be part of the course.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Understand basic fields of work and content of the Industrial design engineer engineer's work.
  • Relate to some key ethical concepts and theories in a discussion of ethical aspects of engineering systems
  • Describe and use basic theories and working methods (need identification, idea generation, concept generation, concept evaluation) in design/product development methodology.  
  • Apply a design/product development methodology with associated methods and tools to solve open and uncertain problems with the goal of creating value. 
  • Understand and create value in a solution through user-centric design based on identified needs and requirements. 
  • Describe and fundamentally understand the concept of design from different theoretical and practical perspectives include (historical point of view). 
  • Disassemble simple mechanical products and describe their construction both in text and in pictures. 
  • Describe and explain the concept of sustainable development and its connection to product development. 
  • Compile and adapt material for a written report so that the report in a clear and coherent way describes the solution that has been chosen during a simple product development work and the choices that have been made on the way to this solution.
  • basic skills in design, sketching and layout, analog and digital, with the goal of using sketching as a tool during the design/product development process. 
  • practically apply basic techniques for physical product visualization in 3 dimensions and be able to produce a suitable product representation using different model materials. 
  • Describe and explain common conflicts that can arise in a group and suggest actions if any of them occur
  • Analyze, visualize and problematize the importance of gender equality aspects in the development of products, processes and systems.
  • Discuss and reflect on gender equality, equal treatment, diversity based on the professional role of engineer.

Content

The course is an introduction to design and the methodology and practice of the product development work. In order for the students to understand the structure of the education, related issues, working methods and their future professional role, they will get to know the product development process and its various phases, as well as the content, scope and problems of the development work - popularly called Design Thinking.


Organisation

The course includes:

Lectures and exercises that introduce the course content.
Mandatory workshops deepens the understanding in a number of areas. 

The knowledge and skills gained during lectures, exercises and workshops are then applied in a product development project.

The project is carried out in groups and focuses on solving a real, open and uncertain problem, ie. a problem whose formulation is not given and which may have several alternative solutions. The project is presented both orally and in writing.

Literature

To be announced two weeks prior to course start, at the latest.

Examination including compulsory elements

On the course the grades fail (U) or pass (G). In order for you to pass the course, you must pass all the following points:
  • Approved attendance at supervision.
  • Approved attendance at workshops  and that you have successfully completed the  exercises that are included.
  • Approved report writing and participation.
  • Approved implementation and presentations of the project work
  • Small exam that covers the theory presented

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.