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151-0332-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC D-MAVT

Interdisciplinary Product Development: Definition, Realisation and Validation of Product Concepts

Lecturers & Examiners: Martin Schütz
Number of participants limited to 5 (ETHZ) + 20 (ZHdK) To apply for the course please create a pdf of 2+ Pages describing yourself and your motivation for the course as well as one or more of your former development projects. Please add minimum one picture and your CV as well, send the pdf to .
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:36

Abstract

"Project-based Education (PBE)",This course is offered by the Design and Technology Lab Zurich, a platform where students from the disciplines industrial design (ZHdK) and mechanical engineering (ETH) can learn, meet and perform projects together. In interdisciplinary teams, students develop a product using early-stage development methods.

Objective

This interdisciplinary course has the following learning objectives: - to learn and apply methods of the early stages of product development from both fields: mechanical engineering and industrial design - to use iterative and prototyping-based development (different types of prototypes and test scenarios) - to run through a development process from product definition to final prototype and understand the mechanisms behind it - to experience collaboration with the other discipline and learn how to approach and deal with any appearing challenge - to understand and experience consequences which may result of decision taken within the development process

Content

At the end of the course each team should present an innovative product concept which convinces from both, the technical as well as the design perspective. The product concept should be presented as functioning prototype. The learning objectives will be reached with the following repeating cycle: 1) input lectures The relevant theoretical basics will be taught in short lectures by different lecturers from both disciplines, mechanical engineering an industrial design. The focus is laid on methods, processes and principles of product development. 2) team development The students work on their projects individually and apply the taught methods. At the same time, they will be coached and supported by mentors to pass through the product development process successfully. 3) presentation Important milestones are presented and discussed during the course, thus allowing teams to learn from each other. 4) reflection The students deepen their understanding of the new knowledge and learn from failures. This is especially important if different disciplines work together and use methods from both fields.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Hands out after input lectures

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Grading is based on Presentations, Project-Documentation and the developped Prototype.

Registration & Places

Limited places (Special selection)
Signup End
17.02.2026

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Interdisciplinary Product Development: Definition, Realisation and Validation of Product Concepts
This 9-weeks course takes place at zhdk/Toniareal: - First Course day:Wednesday 11.03.2026 - Last course day: Thursday 21.05.2026 - Regular course days: Wednesday afternoon and Thursday within the given time slot. Project and Team based course: zhdk Students will be present always Thursday and Friday. It is highly recommended that ETH Students can contribute 1 to 1 1/2 days too. Students will be informed about details on the course dates, times and locations by the lecturer.
  • 09.03 Date 12:15-14:00 (RZ D 8)
2 h weekly
independent project Interdisciplinary Product Development: Definition, Realisation and Validation of Product Concepts
This 9-weeks course takes place at zhdk/Toniareal. - First Course day:Wednesday 11.03.2026 - Last course day: Thursday 21.05.2026 - Regular course days: Wednesday afternoon and Thursday within the given time slot. Project and Team based course: zhdk Students will be present always Thursday and Friday. It is highly recommended that ETH Students can contribute 1 to 1 1/2 days too. Students will be informed about details on the course dates, times and locations by the lecturer.
No time listed 60 h semesterly

Offered In

  • Mechanical Engineering Bachelor
    • Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2022)
      • Focus Specialization
        • Design, Mechanics and Manufacturing (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Dennis Kochmann To achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Design, Mechanics and Manufacturing, all of the courses listed can be selected. If required, one course from another focus specialization or from the electives of the ME Bachelor program can be selected. For recommended courses and further information, please visit the MAVT website for Focus Specialization ( ).)
  • Mechanical Engineering Master
    • Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)