Postgraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses marked with [EXP] may adopt the approach of experiential learning subject to different offerings. Students should check the delivery mode of the class section before registration.

• ISDN 5010

  Design Methodologies

  [3-0-1:3]
  Description

  This course will begin with an introduction to various key design methodologies covering industrial design process, human-centered research and design thinking that are widely used, additionally, AI-enhanced design and transitions design for environmental good that are emerging in the field. The student will be introduced to design as a systematic yet creative process, which is the unique value of design approaches for new and useful solutions. Fundamental design elements regarding function, usage and aesthetics quality will be introduced to support product design, service design or a product and service systems design. During the lectures and lab sessions, students will learn the importance of “design for research”, reasoning, integrating the design thinking mindset into research and project development, and making optimal design decisions. Finally, students will apply the learned design methodologies in real-life projects. Students will be encouraged to discuss their interested ideas with faculty, and present research-related design ideas in class. During the real-life project development process, short lectures will be delivered to provide students with diverse perspectives and knowledge across different areas.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Describe history and language of important design movements.
  • 2.
    Explain basics of Industrial Design and design communication.
  • 3.
    Convert concept design to prototyping level digital or physical design.
  • 4.
    Apply the basic considerations and techniques for human centered design.
  • 5.
    Identify and develop the research questions.
  • 6.
    Explain the research topics with holistic view, and how the research link to the real-world applications.
• ISDN 5060

  Embedded Systems

  [3-0-1:3]
  Exclusion(s)

  EESM 5060

  Background

  Basic undergraduate electronics

  Description

  This course introduces trends and design strategies for embedded systems.It is designed to provide the basic and hands-on knowledge on embedded system design, including the software and hardware components design. It will give a holistic view of embedded system design using practical applications such as smart phone as illustration example. The course will also discuss the design issues such as testability and power considerations. Hands-on experience will be provided.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Recognize and define the basic software and hardware components of an embedded system.
  • 2.
    Recognize the anatomy of a mobile embedded system, and identify the key hardware of a smart phone and software components of a mobile operating system.
  • 3.
    Analyze, design, and debug simple software and hardware components used in an embedded system.
  • 4.
    Explain the interaction between the hardware and software components of a mobile embedded system, and the importance of integration of hardware and software components in optimizing the performance of the embedded system.
  • 5.
    Work in a team environment, and demonstrate effective project and time management in lab sessions.
• ISDN 5101

  Design Thinking for Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship

  [3-0-0:3]
  Description

  This course teaches user-collaborative design methods to create inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will learn how to think, design, and resolve constraints arising from technical, aesthetic, human factors, and business concerns through hands-on exercises, presentations, and case studies. The course covers topics such as design thinking, stakeholder research, concept development, screening, and selection, and interaction design.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand and apply design thinking principles to solve complex problems.
  • 2.
    Conduct user research and analyze data to gain insights into user needs and behaviors.
  • 3.
    Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate user and market research findings and inform design decisions.
  • 4.
    Collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment, communicate ideas and feedback clearly and respectfully.
  • 5.
    Develop and deliver effective presentations that communicate design concepts and solutions to stakeholders.
  • 6.
    Create clear and organized documentation that captures the design process and outcomes.
• ISDN 5102

  Entrepreneurial Literacy

  [3-0-0:3]
  Description

  This course equips students to create and manage new ventures. Through theory, practical exercises, case studies, and projects, students will learn to identify and evaluate opportunities, develop innovative business ideas based on a technological concept, and analyze resources and strategies for implementation. Focusing on entrepreneurial teams, opportunities, and iterative processes of venture development, students will gain handson experience and learn key components of venturing a business.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Appreciate the process of designing a new venture concept from a technical idea and developing innovative business model for implementation.
  • 2.
    Effectively communicate and articulate the value proposition of a new venture.
  • 3.
    Demonstrate foundational business literacy to evaluate the resource required for implementing the designed concept and business model.
  • 4.
    Develop practical strategies for exploiting business opportunity and understand the process of new venture creation and development.
  • 5.
    Gain awareness and begin developing own leadership styles by practicing relevant skills.
• ISDN 5210

  Product Design Engineering

  [3-0-1:3]
  Description

  This course will introduce incoming graduate students from diverse backgrounds to basic techniques and theoretical approaches in design. It will cover the mathematical foundations of user-centered design, including anthropometric statistical approach as well as quality function deployment, optimal searches over design domains via robust design, and several aspects of green design and lifecycle assessments. It will also cover optimization of mechanical designs via programmed searches on parametric CAD models.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand and articulate the principles guiding user-centered design, including the use of QFD.
  • 2.
    Understand and apply the theory of Robust design, including Taguchi and other Experimental Design methods.
  • 3.
    Understand the economic basis of product design for firms, including product families and portfolios.
  • 4.
    Understand and articulate the need for and methods to achieve green design in firms, including the application of standards such as RoHS and WEEE; assess the lifecycle impact of a product design.
  • 5.
    Learn basic concepts of 3D CAD design for parametric design.
• ISDN 5220

  Introduction to Marine Technology

  [2-0-3:3]
  Description

  he aim of this course is to provide students with a solid background in marine technology, enabling them to design innovative solutions that help conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. The course will have a multidisciplinary nature, approaching marine problems from a technological as well as biological perspective.
• ISDN 5230

  Artificial Intelligence of Things for Healthcare

  [3-0-0:3]
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 6830D

  Description

  This course explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart health, commonly known as AIoT. Students will learn how intelligent algorithms and connected hardware devices work together to enhance patient care, streamline medical processes, and improve diagnostic accuracy. The curriculum covers foundational AI methods, IoT architecture, real-time health monitoring, wellness management applications, and essential knowledge of data privacy, ethical considerations, and regulatory compliance in AIoT. Through lectures, and a team-based final project, students will gain hands-on experience and develop the skills needed to harness AIoT technologies for proactive, personalized health solutions.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Explain the core principles of AI and IoT systems in healthcare applications.
  • 2.
    Design and implement a prototype that integrates AI and IoT to address a healthcare need.
  • 3.
    Analyze ethical, privacy, and regulatory aspects of deploying AIoT systems in healthcare.
  • 4.
    Evaluate the potential of AIoT to improve patient care and personalize health solutions, considering technological, ethical, and practical implications.
• ISDN 5240

  RoboFab: Robotic Fabrication with Python

  [3-0-0:3]
  Background

  Familiarity with the Python programming language and foundational concepts in linear algebra.

  Description

  Have you ever imagined robots bringing your digital 3D models to life? This course introduces the fundamental concepts of robotics alongside practical programming skills to control robots for conducting a variety of fabrication processes using Python. Students will gain a solid foundation in essential robotics topics such as forward and inverse kinematics, collision avoidance, and motion planning algorithms. Through hands-on experience, students will also acquire practical fabrication techniques including 3D printing, robotic assembly, and more. As a final project, students will work in teams to design, program, and deploy robots to fabricate their own creative ideas.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand the principles of robotics.
  • 2.
    Apply robotics principles to program and operate robotic systems using Python.
  • 3.
    Design and implement practical fabrication tasks using robots.
• ISDN 5300

  Advanced Digital Design

  [3-0-0:3]
  Exclusion(s)

  CSIT 5940

  Description

  This course will provide an in-depth study of various digital design and computer graphics algorithms and software. Topics include 1) 3D Modelling such as spline surface, solid modelling, transformations, hierarchical modelling; 2) Algorithms in content generation such as procedural modelling and optimization-based modelling; 3) 3D Animation which includes principles of computer animation, particle systems, cloth simulation, and collision detection; 4) 3D rendering such as ray casting and tracing, shading, texture mapping, global illumination, and volume rendering; 5) Advanced topics and recent advances such as Neural Rendering using Generative adversarial network (GAN) and Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF).

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Understand the fundamental of digital design algorithms.
  • 2.
    Implement digital design algorithms for a variety of applications: CAD, video games, movies, etc.
  • 3.
    Understand the basics of real-time rendering.
  • 4.
    Present designs to suit industry standards and in a professional manner.
  • 5.
    Use C++ and OpenGL programming to build 3D digital design applications.
• ISDN 5400

  Advanced Manufacturing

  [1-1-3:3]
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 6810A

  Description

  The course introduces advanced manufacturing and characterization skills for fundamental research and emerging applications. This course includes fundamental theory and practical hands-on labs and projects for the students to acquire the basic knowledge of advanced manufacturing skills, including laser engraving, transfer and cutting, CNC, waterjet cutting, UV and electron-beam lithography, dry etching, nanoimprint lithography, metal 3D printing, and stereolithography. The students will acquire knowledge through lectures and practical hands-on labs, and will be fully prepared for future hands-on research and entrepreneurship projects.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Use key facilities for advanced manufacturing.
  • 2.
    Identify the suitable manufacturing methods for advanced materials.
  • 3.
    Carry out fundamental analysis of the experimental fabricated samples.
  • 4.
    Prepare skillsets for future hands-on research and projects for advanced manufacturing.
• ISDN 5500

  Advanced Functional Materials Characterizations

  [3-0-0:3]
  Description

  This course focuses on the most widely used experimental approaches for structural, morphological, and spectroscopic characterization of functional materials, providing background and insights on the correct usage of the respective techniques, as well as the interpretation of the results. Through systematic lectures and tutorials, students will gain enough knowledge and experience in material characterization. Through the final project, students will conduct a comprehensive characterization of popular functional materials to deepen their understanding of the functional mechanism and the potential for application in integrated systems.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Analyze and propose suitable requirements for functional materials.
  • 2.
    Understand the importance of material characterization.
  • 3.
    Perform characterizations for the desired properties.
  • 4.
    Operate material characterization technologies and analyze the obtained data.
• ISDN 6101

  Industry Engagement Workshop

  [3-0-0:3]
  Description

  This course is designed for MPhil(TIE) students to understand the different ways of creating an industry engagement strategy for a product that they are developing. This is determined by the interplay of three topics: an understanding of the industry landscape, an understanding of the technology landscape, and an understanding of the regulatory landscape. The students will be exposed to these topics in the context of their selected project domain.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Explore and describe the details of the industrial landscape for a specified domain.
  • 2.
    Investigate and summarize the key technologies pertinent to specific product requirements.
  • 3.
    Summarize the technological landscape relevant to specified functional requirements of a product.
  • 4.
    Find and describe regulatory protocols and rules related to specified products or domains.
  • 5.
    Use industrial, technological and regulatory landscapes to define practical industrial engagement strategy for a specified product.
• ISDN 6601

  Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Seminar

  [1-0-0:1]
  Description

  This course consists of a series of seminars given by faculty and guest speakers to broaden the horizon of students in terms of research excellence and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Regular MPhil(TIE) students must register and pass this course in at least one term of their study period. Graded P or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Gain insight into research on topics that are directly related to their own research.
  • 2.
    Gain insight into research methodologies used by other scholars working on areas not directly related to their own focus area for exposure.
  • 3.
    Gain insight into the entrepreneurial approach and ecosystem in the industry.
  • 4.
    Connect a network group of researchers and industry partners for future commercialization of products/services.
• ISDN 6602

  New Product Development Project

  0 credit
  Description

  This project-based product development course covers modern tools and methods for conceiving, designing, and prototyping physical products. Through academic and industry expert advising on marketing, industrial design, patent law, and more, students will learn to identify customer needs, generate concepts, develop engineering designs, and build working prototypes. The course emphasizes integration of marketing, design, and manufacturing functions to create successful products. Students will engage with industries to define real-world user-centered design problems and develop solutions. Graded PP, P or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Design and develop a commercialisable product, and conduct research on a cross-disciplinary topic.
  • 2.
    Employ research and analysis methodologies as it pertains to the product design process and user experience.
  • 3.
    Use a systematic approach to develop creative design solutions to satisfy identified need.
  • 4.
    Demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem.
  • 5.
    Develop and deliver effective presentations that communicate design concepts and solutions to stakeholders.
  • 6.
    Collaborate effectively in an international and multidisciplinary team.
• ISDN 6660

  Integrative Systems and Design Seminar

  [1-0-0:1]
  Description

  Series of seminars by faculty, guest speakers and senior graduate students. Regular MPhil(ISD) students must register and pass this course in at least two terms. Regular PhD(ISD) students must register and pass this course in at least four terms. Graded P or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Gain insight into research on topics that are directly related to their own research.
  • 2.
    Gain insight into research and research methodologies used by other scholars working on areas not directly related to their own focus area.
  • 3.
    Gain insight about the career of the industry.
• ISDN 6710-6720

  Independent Study

  [1-3 credit(s)]
  Description

  Selected topics related to the research focus of postgraduate students, particularly those pursuing PhD. The course will be studied under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit for different topics. Graded P or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Demonstrate mastery of knowledge related to the studied topic introduced by the instructor.
• ISDN 6810-6830

  Special Topics

  [1-3 credit(s)]
  Description

  This course will cover selected topics of current interest. It may be repeated for credit, if different topics are covered.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    To get a deeper understanding of the specialization of a topic of current interest.
  • 2.
    To learn in depth about a recent ISD-relevant topic not covered by existing courses.
• ISDN 6990

  MPhil Thesis Research
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ENGG 6990

  Description

  Master's thesis research supervised by a faculty member. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Design, develop and conduct research on a cross-disciplinary topic.
  • 2.
    Demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem.
  • 3.
    Apply principles of design in solving a technical problem.
  • 4.
    Communicate research findings effectively via written and oral communication.
• ISDN 7990

  Doctoral Thesis Research
  Description

  Original and independent doctoral thesis research. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • 1.
    Design, develop and conduct research on a cross-disciplinary topic.
  • 2.
    Demonstrate sufficient knowledge about the state-of-the-art in the areas related to the research problem and on the broader related topics.
  • 3.
    Apply principles of design in solving a technical problem.
  • 4.
    Communicate research findings effectively via written and oral communication.