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Product Development and Engineering Design
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:54:31
Abstract
The course introduces students to the product development process. In a team, you will explore the early phases of conceptual development and product design, from ideation and concept generation through to hands-on prototyping. This is an opportunity to gain product development experience and improve your skills in prototyping and presenting your product ideas. The project topic changes each year.
Objective
The course introduces you to the product development process and methods in engineering design for: product planning, user-centered design, creating product specifications, ideation including concept generation and selection methods, material selection methods and prototyping. Further topics include design for manufacture and design for additive manufacture. You will actively apply the process and methods learned throughout the semester in a team on a product development project including prototyping.
Content
Weekly topics accompanying the product development project include: 1 Introduction to Product Development and Engineering Design 2 Product Planning and Social-Economic-Technology (SET) Factors 3 User-Centered Design and Product Specifications 4 Concept Generation and Selection Methods 5 System Design and Embodiment Design 6 Prototyping and Prototype Planning 7 Material Selection in Engineering Design 8 Design for Manufacture and Design for Additive Manufacture
Resources
Lecture Notes
available on Moodle
Literature
Ulrich, Eppinger, and Yang, Product Design and Development. 7th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2020. Cagan and Vogel, Creating Breakthrough Products: Revealing the Secrets that Drive Global Innovation, 2nd Edition, Pearson Education, 2013.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 60
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Product Development and Engineering Design |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Design, Mechanics and Materials (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Kristina Shea In order to achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Design, Mechanics and Material you are free to choose any of the courses offered within the focus and are encouraged to select among those recommended. If you wish to take one of the Master level courses, you must get approval from the lecturer.)
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Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed.)
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Design, Computation, Product Development & Manufacturing (The courses listed in this category “Core Courses” are recommended. Alternative courses can be chosen in agreement with the tutor.)
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Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed.)
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