Course syllabus - Product Development 1

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the product development process as well as answers to the following questions, among others: How can ideas be developed into business opportunities and competitive products? What does the lifecycle of a product look like? What practical methods and tools are available for the different product development stages? How can product development be made qualitatively and environmentally safe?
Another objective is to train students in project teamwork.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- work in a well-structured manner in a project team
- use methods for the generation of ideas, the choice of concepts, functional analysis, and for identifying client needs - and to be aware of additional methods
- set up a requirements specification
- develop a product as a motivated solution to an identified client need and present it as a CAD model
- give an account of suitable manufacturing methods
- give a structured account of the work in a technical report

Course content

- the product development process and the lifecycle of a product
- quality control and environmental safety in product development
- methods for identifying client needs, creating business opportunities, setting up a requirements specification, and carrying out a functional analysis
- the application of techniques for the generation of ideas
- methods for the choice of best concept and the use of tools for the choice of materials and manufacturing method, as well as for the choice of best physical product with regard to a detailed requirements specification
- the presentation of authentic examples of product development, from idea to finished product
- project work: methodology, aids, quality control
- CAD modeling and the creation of drawings
- manufacturing technology: overview of different methods
- environmental aspects of relevance to product development

Tuition

There will be a number of lectures to provide an overview and general context. These will be complemented with supervised group exercises. The knowledge acquired will be consolidated in a comprehensive project comprising the development of concepts as well as a physical model, prototype or CAD model based on market needs.

Specific requirements

Innovation and Product Design 7,5 ECTS credits and a basic knowledge of CAD.

Examination

Exercise (INL1), 0.5 credits, marks Pass (G)
Project (PRO1), 4.5 credits, marks 3, 4 or 5
Examination (TEN3), 2.5 credits, marks 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail