Syllabus - Master's Programme in Innovation and Design

Outcomes

One overall aim of the programme is to create a common and in-depth knowledge environment as a starting point for research as well as skilled management work in the private and public sectors within the area of innovation and design.

Innovation and Design is an interdisciplinary third-cycle subject area at Mälardalen University and has its base in the meeting between the first-cycle subjects of Information Design, Product and Process Development, and Innovation Technology. The Master’s programme forms a bridge between first-cycle education and research. The programme emphasises and reinforces cooperation with the private and public sectors regarding research and development, with a particular focus on relevant and optimal process and product development.

Knowledge and Understanding

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of innovation and design, including broad knowledge within the area as well as substantially deeper knowledge within certain parts of the field, and also a deeper insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate in-depth methodological knowledge of innovation and design.

Aptitudes and Accomplishments

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability, critically and systematically, to integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, problems and situations even with limited information,
• demonstrate the ability, critically, independently and creatively, to identify and formulate problems, to plan and carry out, using adequate methods, advanced assignments within given timeframes, thereby contributing to the development of knowledge and also to evaluate this work,
• demonstrate the ability, in national as well as international contexts, to clearly account for and discuss, orally and in writing, the conclusions arrived at and the knowledge and arguments that form the basis of these in dialogue with different groups, and also
• demonstrate such skills as are required to participate in research and development work or to work independently in some other advanced activity.

Ability to Evaluate and Assess

On completion of the degree programme the student shall:

• demonstrate the ability, in Innovation and Design, to make assessments with regard to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, and also demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work,
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the responsibility of human beings for how this is used, and also
• demonstrate the ability to identify his/her need of further knowledge and to take responsibility for his/her own knowledge development.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English, and the course literature is in English.

Contents

The Master’s programme in Innovation and Design is an interdisciplinary degree programme based on the three first-cycle subjects of Information Design, Innovation Technology, and Product and Process Development.

In the various courses of the programme, innovation and design is studied from different perspectives such as the design of information, products, services and support. Technology and the social sciences are brought together and offer unique opportunities of learning process and project work from different perspectives. In the programme the focus is placed on processes and interdisciplinary projects in cooperation with industry and the surrounding community. The programme promotes innovations by creating unique meetings between students within different fields and in cooperation with parties within for example the cultural, health care and industrial sectors.

During the first year of the programme the students are given a common and in-depth knowledge of the main field of study of innovation and design. This is done during the first four courses by the students working in integrated groups in which each of the first-cycle subjects – Information Design, Innovation Technology and Product and Process Development – meet the third-cycle subject of Innovation and Design. The first year also contains a course in applied quantitative methods, the aim of which is to deepen the students’ knowledge of the research methods used within the field. The first year of the programme gives a deeper understanding of research and the formation of theories in innovation and design, by the students becoming acquainted with research methods, scientific perspectives in the area as well as current research projects being carried out in the environment.

The second year provides opportunities of studies abroad. The students also have the opportunity to work with a joint project, thereby coming into contact with the project methods applied within the area. Apart from working with an internship-related R&D project (degree project), the second year is open to a free choice of courses and studies abroad.

During the programme the students have the opportunity of freely choosing courses equivalent to a total of 22.5 credits. This is so that the students, within the framework of their degree, shall have the opportunity of combining in-depth continuing professional development in innovation and design, with either advanced knowledge within their own field of specialisation, or a broadening of their competence within some other sphere of interest.

Year 1
Information Design:
Integrated Information Design, 7.5 credits
Applied Quantitative Research Methods, 7.5 credits

Innovation and Design:
Research Methods for Innovation and Design, 7.5 credits
The Research Practice in Focus, 7.5 credits
Theoretical Perspectives on Innovation and Design, 7.5 credits

Innovation Technology:
Innovation Techniques in Innovation and Design, 7.5 credits

Product and Process Development:
Integrated Product and Process Development, 7.5 credits

Elective, 7.5 credits
Innovation Technology:
Foresight and Scenario Design, 7.5 credits
or
an optional course in competition with other applicants at Mälardalen University or other higher education institution

Year 2
Innovation and Design:
Master Thesis Work, Innovation and Design, 30 credits
Project Methodology for Innovation and Design, 15 credits

Elective, 15 credits
Innovation Technology:
Innovation and Creativity Management, 7.5 credits
Chaos and Order in Social Systems, 7.5 credits
or
an optional course in competition with other applicants at Mälardalen University or other higher education institution

Choices within the program

During the first year the students have a free choice of courses equivalent to 7.5 credits. During the second year the students have a free choice of courses equivalent to 15 credits. These courses can be regarded as an opportunity either to gain more in-depth knowledge within their own field of specialisation, or to broaden themselves within some other sphere of interest.

University degree

The programme syllabus is so designed that the studies will lead towards fulfilment of the requirements for the following degree:

• Master of Science in Innovation and Design

If the programme contains elective or optional components, or if a student chooses not to complete a certain course, the choices made can affect the possibility of fulfilling the degree requirements. For more information about degrees and degree requirements, consult the local degree regulations which are published (in Swedish only) on the University website.