Course syllabus - Challenges in Innovation and Design

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with a more in-depth introduction to the field of innovation and design, via literature studies elucidating the development of the area, as well as further studies of theories and methods applied within it. Another objective is for students to acquire the ability to formulate research foci and to position these within the field of innovation and design
 

Learning outcomes

 Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1. give an account of the development of core theoretical and methodological perspectives on innovation and design
2. give an account of similarities and differences in the practical application of innovation and design
3. independently formulate a research focus, provide an state of the art overview, as well as suggest suitable methods for data collection and analysis
4. discuss and problematise, in interaction with different groups, research regarding innovation and design from ethical and sustainability perspectives
5. in interaction with different groups discuss and problematise the value-creating functions of innovation and design practices

Course content

- Theoretical and methodological perspectives
- Literature studies
- State-of-the-art
- Trends in innovation and design
- Defining an area for further investigation
- Developing a research focus
- Reflection

Tuition

Lectures, workshops, seminars, co-productive learning and peer-to-peer learning.
 

Specific requirements

A completed Bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to 180 credits, within the fields of innovation management, information design, product and production development, industrial economics and management, industrial design, engineering design, interaction design, mechanical engineering, or entrepreneurship. Graduates with a Bachelor's degree in other fields are required to have at least one year of working experience in fields related to design or innovation. A TOEFL test result, with a minimum score of 575 with a TWE score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT) or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of at least 6.5 and no band score below 5.5, or the equivalent, is required.

Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish. B/Swedish 3.

Examination

Written assignment (INL1), 4 credits, examines the learning objectives 1 and 2, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Promemoria (PMO1), 5 credits, examines the learning objectives 3 and 4, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Group assignment (GRU1), 3 credits, examines the learning objectives 4 and 5, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Seminar (SEM1), 3 credits, examines the learning objectives 1 and 5, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)

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, Fail