Undergraduate Courses 2025-26

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 1001

  Introduction to Integrative Systems and Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This is a foundation course in which students will learn about the societal, economical, and cultural impact of integrative systems and the importance of integrating design into the creation of integrative systems. Through lectures, discussions, case-study and presentation, hands-on dis-assembly and re-assembly exercises, students will learn about the basic design principles, design terminology, design skill-sets, design thinking and process, and how a good design relates to the design principles. Students will also learn about what is an integrative system and the importance of using technology to build an integrative system and how it is decomposed into different sub-systems that involve multiple technology components, interacting with each other.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Identify the impact of design and integrative systems on social, economic, and cultural context
  • 2.
    Appreciate the values of integrative systems and design
  • 3.
    Connect different disciplines in integrative systems and design
  • 4.
    Recognize the value of and identify the interaction among different building blocks of systems
  • 5.
    Develop the ability to work within constraints (e.g. technology boundary) and prioritize the needs
  • 6.
    Integrate knowledge from integrative systems
• ISDN 1002

  Redefining Problems for the Real Needs

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  ISDN 1007

  Description

  Design Research is an introduction of research methodology and methods used for exploring problems as well as identifying opportunities for design initiatives. It guides designers how to unravel needs and problems in the real world before inventing. This course introduces students various design research principles, methods and ethics for investigating people and their world. It is a learning-by-doing course in which students, work in groups, learn the principles in class and apply them in the field. The course sets out several challenges in local context. After conducting both contextual research and user research, students are guided to seek insights and identify opportunities for technological innovation aiming to solve the identified problems. Overall, students explore the real world in a lively yet methodical way.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand different principles of design research methods through doing
  • 2.
    Choose the right methods to conduct systematic field research, particularly in the context of specific integrative systems
  • 3.
    Identify target users and stakeholders, and probe into their problems, needs and expectations
  • 4.
    Articulate the identified problems
  • 5.
    Seek insights and identify opportunities for technological innovation
  • 6.
    Explain the whole research process with justification
  • 7.
    Form their own judgement in order to discuss and evaluate others’ work in a critical but constructive way
• ISDN 1004

  Sketching

  1 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course focuses on developing the skills to generate, visualize and define design concepts in 2-D and 3D in both paper and digital formats. Topics covered include freehand sketching on paper, freehand sketching on mobile devices, illustrating the basics of perspective and orthogonal drawing, storyboarding, and visual communication. Students will develop skills in sketching both organic as well as geometric forms.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Implement effective communication of design concepts.
  • 2.
    Acquire expertise in freehand sketching.
  • 3.
    Generate a storyboard for communication.
• ISDN 1006

  Human-centered Innovation

  3 Credit(s)
  Corequisite(s)

  ISDN 1002

  Exclusion(s)

  ISDN 1007

  Mode of Delivery

  [EXP] Experiential learning

  Description

  A project-based, experiential course that exposes students to practice the five modules in design thinking - “Empathize”, “Define”, “Ideate”, “Prototype” and ‘Test”. The unmet needs will be identified by observing the daily routine of real services and people. Research on existing solutions and how to conduct the stakeholder and market analyses will be taught for designing the needs screening matrix in needs selection. Students are going to unlock their creativity potentials through the in-class activities.The new ideas of addressing the unmet needs are generated in which the ideas are grouped ad organized into a concept map. To translate a promising concept from an idea into a rudimentary design, the concept exploration is facilitated by prototyping. The prototypes are tested by the potential users. This course aims to develop students’ communication, interpersonal, analytical, design and project management skills.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Apply “Empathize”, “Define”, “Ideate”, “Prototype” and “Test” in design thinking
  • 2.
    Identify the unmet needs by observing the daily routine of real services and people as a group
  • 3.
    Understand the existing solutions and innovate new solutions for solving corresponding issues
  • 4.
    Define the stakeholders and undergo the analyses
  • 5.
    Analyze the market landscapes and validate new markets
  • 6.
    Interview the stakeholders and obtain the concept feedbacks
  • 7.
    Work and communicate effectively in a team
  • 8.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
• ISDN 1007

  From Design Thinking to Design Action: Defining Problems for Better Solutions

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course combines design research and design thinking to equip students with the skills to address real-world challenges. Following the five modules of “Empathize”, “Define”, “Ideate”, “Prototype”, and “Test”, students will learn to explore and understand complex problems using design research methods. Starting with contextual and user research, students will identify the primary stakeholders and their needs in a given context. The second part of the course will focus on ideating and prototyping innovative solutions to the identified problems, turning creative ideas into actionable solutions. Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on projects, working collaboratively to develop their communication, analytical, and project management skills. By the end, students will be prepared to apply these skills in real-world contexts, creating meaningful and impactful solutions. Students who have taken both ISDN 1002 and ISDN 1006 should not take this course. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.
• ISDN 1010

  Academic and Professional Development I

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is designed to provide academic advising to enhance personal and professional skills for ISD students throughout their 4 years of study. Activities involve workshops and a mentoring program. For ISD students only. Graded P, PP or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Communicate effectively
  • 2.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
  • 3.
    Plan study for each semester
  • 4.
    Expose to new technologies and various industries
• ISDN 1011

  Industrial Training

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is designed to provide practical technical and design training to ISDN students. For ISDN students only. Graded P, PP or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Acquire practical technical skills, such as operating fast-prototyping machines, 3D CAD skills (e.g., SolidWorks), etc.
  • 2.
    Acquire visual communication skills set and/or 3D digit skill sets, such as photography, SolidWorks etc.
• ISDN 1100

  Experiencing Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims to cultivate students’ appreciation of design and sense of aesthetic sensibility. This raises students’ awareness of design to the visuals and beauty of surroundings and equally important, solving everyday problems in an aesthetic way. Furthermore, the course familiarizes students with design language, which enables them to discuss design and exchange their viewpoints. The course covers design fields from city planning, architecture, lighting, cars, consumer products, to information, services and interaction design. Different design stories from different parts of the world are unfolded wherein the need, cultural and environmental specificity of the design in different societies and at different times are explained. Each week, a special topic is addressed, for example, form follows function, design and technology, color theory and so on.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Evaluate and critique a design from functional and aesthetic aspects
  • 2.
    Learn and use design language terminology
  • 3.
    Apply a selected set of design principles/methods to solve problems
  • 4.
    Identify and critique the design used in artifacts of everyday life
• ISDN 1120

  Bring AI to Your Side

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This introductory course offers a hands-on approach to utilizing AI tools for creating personalized text, images, and 3D models. Designed specifically for non-programmers, the course discusses the strengths and limitations of current AI technologies, empowering students to enhance their familiar problem-solving workflows with AI. The course aims to inspire creativity and motivate students to explore potential applications of AI in addressing everyday challenges, including personalized game creation, fashion design, personalized fabrication, and more.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Identify and utilize simple AI tools for creative projects
  • 2.
    Apply AI-driven design tools to create visuals, 3D models, and interactive elements
  • 3.
    Evaluate the practical uses of AI in everyday design, understanding basic strengths and limitations
  • 4.
    Present a project in a public setting, explaining their process and outcomes
• ISDN 1130

  Introduction to Eco-Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  A project-based course that introduces students to the basics of Eco-design. Eco-design is the practice of designing for the purpose of conserving, sustaining and the propagating of Nature’s eco-systems. Given the current crisis of climate change and environmental degradation, students will learn how to use ideas and insights from ‘Science’, ‘Technology’, ‘Arts’, ‘Politics’, ‘Ethics’ and ‘Spirituality’, to develop meaningful designs for products, services and/or communication strategies, that balance man-made needs with the integrity of natural eco-systems. Ideas from leading research in sustainable and ecological practices will be incorporated with methodologies from Design Thinking, Circular Design, Design Futuring and Design Fictions. Students will at the end of the course be able to understand the interdisciplinarity and interrelatedness of Eco-design and be able to use this understanding in their own daily practices and/or chosen professions.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Explain basic Eco-design concepts and the Six Spaces principles
  • 2.
    Apply Eco-design concepts in the designing of artefacts, systems, services or communication strategies
  • 3.
    Collaborate effectively with individuals from different academic disciplines and backgrounds
  • 4.
    Utilise ecologically focused creativity and problem-solving skills
• ISDN 1200

  Design Thinking for Technological Innovations

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  ISDN 1001

  Description

  This course explores the dynamic intersection of innovation and technology in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Students will apply design thinking as a human-centered approach to driving innovation practices, examine the progression and integration of emerging technologies, and learn how to translate from ideas to innovation and entrepreneurship. The course emphasizes hands-on projects, case studies, and collaborative work to foster an innovative mindset and equip students with the tools to drive technological advancements in various industries. By the end of the course, students will work in teams on a mini project to gain hands-on experience in innovation.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Explain the role of technological innovations in addressing user needs
  • 2.
    Evaluate design thinking example studies and assess their impact on communities and potential for scalable and inclusive solutions
  • 3.
    Trace the evolution of key technologies and predict future trends, assessing their potential implications for various industries
  • 4.
    Apply design thinking methodologies, developing human-centered innovations to solve wicked problems
  • 5.
    Create and present a mini-project on technological innovation
  • 6.
    Develop skills in interdisciplinary collaboration through group projects
• ISDN 2000

  What is Design and Why Design?

  3 Credit(s)
  Exclusion(s)

  CORE 2261

  Description

  This course introduces what design is and why it is valued. Design is the purposeful act of creative problem solving. Students learn about design history, famous design styles, design thinking, sustainable design principles, sustainable design skills through a project-based learning approach. Students then experience several stages of a creative design process. The process begins by asking students to identify real-world problems through social, business, scientific, and sustainable-focused technological perspectives. To add specificity, students will be able to describe the behaviors and needs of social interactions, observe demographic phenomena, assess business viability, and identify and understand technological changes and sustainable impacts, etc. After defining a problem statement, students will be guided to generate creative solutions using brainstorming tools and creative thinking skills. Selected solutions will be presented in form of prototypes and open for user feedback. This course emphasizes the appreciation of the role and significance of design for our society. The final project of this course will focus on sustainability and how to achieve sustainable goals through a 4-week group design project.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Evaluate and judge design issues using fundamental design principles, design thinking method and consider sustainability
  • 2.
    Compare, select, and employ design research methods to design-oriented projects and research
  • 3.
    Analyze research data to gain insights into people’s needs or problems in the real world’s sustainable development demands
  • 4.
    Plan and coordinate a sustainable design project using the design process to meet the project schedule and objectives
  • 5.
    Create, assess, and iterate ideas through prototyping turning ideas into innovations, with focuses on sustainability
  • 6.
    Present their final design and appraise their own and peers’ work with constructive feedback
• ISDN 2001

  Second Year Design Project I

  1 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ISDN 1002 OR ISDN 1006 OR ISDN 1007

  Corequisite(s)

  ISDN 1004 AND ISDN 2300

  Description

  This course is the first part of a one-year project course offered to second year students. The project requires application of technology and design to develop innovative solutions to a challenging problem. Each student is assigned a component of a large project, which is sponsored by industry. Project planning. Distribution of tasks among the team members. Identification of the problem through interactions with the staff of the sponsored company. Ideation. Design concept generation. Selection of ideas. Prototyping. Testing and redesigning. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Be a self-learner
  • 2.
    Identify the real problem through interactions with users and environment
  • 3.
    Apply design thinking, relevant knowledge and skills to develop solutions for the identified problem
  • 4.
    Acquire relevant knowledge and skills via project-based learning
  • 5.
    Communicate with and function as an interdisciplinary team
  • 6.
    Document and present one’s own work
  • 7.
    Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of ethics
  • 8.
    Conduct project planning activities
• ISDN 2002

  Second Year Design Project II

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ISDN 2001

  Corequisite(s)

  ISDN 2400

  Description

  This course is the second part of a one-year project course offered to second year students. The project requires application and integration of technology and design to develop innovative solutions to a challenging problem. Each student is assigned a component of a large project, which is sponsored by industry. The focus of this course is testing and redesigning of the design concept created in 2001. The process is repeated until a final design emerges. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Be a self-learner
  • 2.
    Identify the real problem through interactions with users and environment
  • 3.
    Apply design thinking, relevant knowledge and skills to develop solutions for the identified problem
  • 4.
    Acquire relevant knowledge and skills via project-based learning
  • 5.
    Communicate with and function as an interdisciplinary team
  • 6.
    Document and present one’s own work
  • 7.
    Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of ethics
  • 8.
    Conduct project planning activities
• ISDN 2010

  Academic and Professional Development II

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  Continuation of ISDN 1010. Graded P, PP or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Communicate effectively
  • 2.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
  • 3.
    Plan study for each semester
  • 4.
    Expose to new technologies and various industries
• ISDN 2200

  Systems Thinking and Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course in Systems Thinking aims to gain students systemic understanding when tackling global challenges in the real world. For example, as widely understood that climate change is more than merely a technological problem. Rather, it is systemic problem underlying aspects of people, technology and environment that are all interconnected in the entire environment. With emphasis on systems, it is important to broaden students' perspective from merely viewing problems in isolation but in relationship with its surroundings. This course stresses on attaining a systemic perspective when approaching technological design in integrative systems. The course introduces studies of systems thinking to aid students systemic understanding. In the course, students are given specific assignment, such as intelligent mobility or waste management systems, and work in groups. At the beginning, they define the systems and analyze specific issues underlying in the systems. Afterwards, they suggest, justify and evaluate their solutions in systemic context.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Apply key systems thinking theories to understand real-life problems in their systems
  • 2.
    Define the systems by describing the contextual relationships in the systems relevant to the target problems
  • 3.
    Identify and explain the target problem in its systems
  • 4.
    Analyze and evaluate the existing systems about what works and what does not work as well as why this works and that does not work
  • 5.
    Propose solutions to improve the systems
  • 6.
    Evaluate the impact of the proposed solution in its system
  • 7.
    Present and communicate ideas
• ISDN 2210

  Introduction to Brand Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 4000P

  Description

  A project-based course that introduces students to the basics of Brand Identity Design. Brands and branding are key business tools and techniques. An understanding of how brands are strategically designed and developed can lead to greater coherence between the design disciplines and business development. This course will introduce to the student the basic principles and practices of brand identity design and development through the lens of graphic design and visual communications. Brand assets such as the logo, brand fonts and secondary graphics, brand tone, tools and touch points (and much more); and how they are structured, designed and developed via brand frameworks and branding strategies will be explored through a series of lectures and in-class exercises. The course will culminate in an extended hands-on project. Guest speaker(s) will also be invited to give context and insight into the practice and profession.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand basic Brand design concepts and techniques
  • 2.
    Apply these concepts and techniques in the designing of visual and/or communication strategies
  • 3.
    Utilise basic graphic design and problem solving skills
  • 4.
    Work with people from different academic disciplines
• ISDN 2300

  Introduction to 3D Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course will provide the theoretical principles and real-life examples of a wide variety of digital design technology. The course includes using computer-aided techniques to convert sketches into digital 3D models, animate static 3D models into computer animation, and finally render the 3D models to become the final product image or video. The course also describes how the 3D models and renderings are being used in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Topics covered will include Photogrammetry, Fundamentals of 3D Modeling, NURBS, Principles of Traditional Animation, Computer Animation, 3D Rendering, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Instructor’s approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Be proficient in the fundamental concepts of computer-aided design
  • 2.
    Use a variety of techniques to generate digital designs with differing levels of detail
  • 3.
    Generate functional designs
  • 4.
    Present designs to suit industry standards and in a professional manner
• ISDN 2400

  Physical Prototyping

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ISDN 2300

  Description

  The aim of this course is to take design concepts to reality. Students will convert their concepts that were created using sketches or 3D design software to tangible prototypes. Quick prototyping using various materials will provide hands-on experience. The course will also provide knowledge on various 3D prototyping technologies so that students can explore the most suitable means to generate functional and aesthetically pleasing prototypes. Hands-on experience with assembly to generate complete prototypes will be emphasized.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Use manual and prototyping technologies for making prototype
  • 2.
    Validate and develop proof of concept models
  • 3.
    Acquire skills to assemble parts into an assembled product
  • 4.
    Acquire skills to change concepts to desirable, feasible and viable alternatives
• ISDN 2500

  Introduction to Systems Design Engineering

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  A project-based course that introduces the core concepts in Systems Design Engineering. A system is a purposeful set of interrelated components that form an integrated whole and work together to achieve some objective. The course aims to better prepare future design engineers, as they will be challenged with different multidisciplinary systems in the future. Topics covered in this course include multidisciplinary system design, the design process (problem definition, life-cycle design, design specification, concept/design generation and evaluation, design for manufacturing and assembly), system modeling and analysis, mechanical design and prototyping, ergonomics & human factors through industrial design, user experience & usability testing, design documentation and communications. Instructor's approval is required.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand basic concepts of systems analysis and design
  • 2.
    Use modern systems design simulation and prototyping tools
  • 3.
    Perform requirement analysis through eliciting user information requirements and system expectation
  • 4.
    Apply learning when iterating through different multidisciplinary systems
  • 5.
    Prepare and interpret system design documents, including use cases, process diagrams, class diagrams, etc.
  • 6.
    Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team and to apply design principles from complementary fields, such as industrial design
• ISDN 2601

  Exploring the World through Smart Mechatronics

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 4000I

  Exclusion(s)

  ELEC 1100

  Description

  This course provides an introductory experience into the design and application of smart mechatronic systems on building integrative systems. Students will learn how smart integrative systems are built to sense and interact with humans and the environment, to serve everyday real-world needs. The course includes fundamental theory and also practical hands-on labs and projects for the student to acquire the basic knowledge of designing mechatronic systems, using embedded system to control and practice design thinking process. In the lab sessions, students design and build a succession of mechatronic subsystems, leading to an integrated system in a final project. Lecture topics include embedded system design, basic electronics, use of sensors and actuators, system modelling, measurement and control, and appreciation of the impact of smart mechatronics system in solving real-world problems. In the final project, students will apply design thinking approach to meet the project requirements, specified from users’ perspective.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Describe how an embedded system work and Learn how to program an embedded system and how the software and hardware work together
  • 2.
    Understand the basics of electrical circuits and electronic devices
  • 3.
    Understand the basics of sensor and actuator theory and able to design sensor circuits for simple applications
  • 4.
    Understand the theoretical and practical aspects of measurement system design, system modelling and control system design
  • 5.
    Gain hands-on experience in designing and constructing basic mechatronic systems as well implementing the control algorithms using embedded system
  • 6.
    Appreciate the impact of smart mechatronics system in solving real-world problems
  • 7.
    Work as a team to prototype a system
  • 8.
    Understand how smart integrative systems sense and interact with humans and the environment
• ISDN 2602

  Internet of Things: Integrative System Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 4000G

  Exclusion(s)

  ELEC 1200

  Description

  IoT (Internet of Things) is the key enabling technology for many integrative systems. A design thinking-led approach is used to motivate and engage students to design IoT systems, leading to user-centric solutions. Through the design of IoT systems, students learn fundamental theories and gain hands-on working experience on several key components for IoT systems, including circuits and sensors, signal processing, embedded systems, and communication and networking. In the final project, students will apply design thinking approach to meet the project requirements, specified from users’ perspective.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Describe how an IoT system works
  • 2.
    Identify the basic components of an IoT system
  • 3.
    Understand how different components are integrated
  • 4.
    Acquire hands-on experiment technique
  • 5.
    Apply design thinking in designing simple IoT systems
  • 6.
    Carry a detail analysis of the IoT solutions to determine the best one which satisfies the three key design thinking criteria for a product solution
  • 7.
    Work and communicate effectively in a team
  • 8.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
• ISDN 2603

  Materials, Shape and Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This is a course on design and materials infused with design thinking. It covers the relationship between materials and their properties that inform their use in the design of things. We take a design-focused view, expanding the design requirements into an exploration of material properties for given shapes. This will lead naturally into a deeper understanding of functional properties and structures of materials on the one hand, and deformation and failure modes of solid mechanical objects on the other. Various material families, including metals, alloys, polymers, copolymers, and composites will be studied, and a basic understanding of how shape affects mechanical performance will be introduced. In the projects, the choice of optimal materials and shapes of an object will be determined using the design thinking approach. Instructor's approval is required.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand the basic functional properties of materials
  • 2.
    Explain the atomic and crystalline structures of materials and how it changes under stimuli
  • 3.
    Quantitatively and qualitatively understand the relationship between material properties and behavior under loads
  • 4.
    Understand failure modes of materials under stress
  • 5.
    Apply knowledge of material properties, their relationship between stresses and strains under loads, into practical product design
• ISDN 3000

  Special Topics

  1-3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course will cover selected advanced topics related to system engineering, robotics, smart cities, biomedical applications, and/or design thinking. It may be repeated for credit if different topics are offered. Grading may be based on letter grades or a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (DI/PA/F) system, depending on the specific offering.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Equip students with a broad and useful knowledge to various topics that are not covered by existing courses
• ISDN 3001

  Third Year Design Project I

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is the first part of a one-year project course offered to third year students. Each student is assigned a component of a large project, which is sponsored by industry. The project is expected to be of increased technical complexity compared with the second year project. Project planning. Distribution of tasks among the team members. Identification of the problem through interactions with the staff of the sponsored company. Ideation. Design concept generation. Selection of ideas. Prototyping. Testing and redesigning. In addition, students have to consider sustainability, manufacturability, and marketability of the proposed product solutions, which have to fulfill needs of the client under a budgetary constraint. Students are expected to spend less time on planning and idea generation as they have already gained these experiences in the second year but more time on prototyping and testing, as this project requires application and integration of more advance technologies and design. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Be a self-learner
  • 2.
    Identify the real problem through interactions with users and environment
  • 3.
    Apply design thinking, relevant knowledge and skills to develop solutions for the identified problem
  • 4.
    Demonstrate increased competence in technical knowledge and design skills
  • 5.
    Acquire relevant knowledge and skills via project-based learning
  • 6.
    Produce product design with sustainability and marketability mind-set as well as budgetary constraint
  • 7.
    Communicate with and function as an interdisciplinary team
  • 8.
    Document and present one’s own work
  • 9.
    Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of ethics
  • 10.
    Conduct project planning activities
• ISDN 3002

  Third Year Design Project II

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is the second part of the third-year project course offered to third year students. The focus of this course is testing and redesigning of the design concept generated in 3001. The process is repeated until a final design emerges. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Be a self-learner
  • 2.
    Identify the real problem through interactions with users and environment
  • 3.
    Apply design thinking, relevant knowledge and skills to develop solutions for the identified problem
  • 4.
    Demonstrate increased competence in technical knowledge and design skills
  • 5.
    Acquire relevant knowledge and skills via project-based learning
  • 6.
    Produce product design with sustainability and marketability mind-set as well as budgetary constraint
  • 7.
    Communicate with and function as an interdisciplinary team
  • 8.
    Document and present one’s own work
  • 9.
    Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of ethics
  • 10.
    Conduct project planning activities
• ISDN 3004

  Advanced Sketching

  2 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 4000L

  Prerequisite(s)

  ISDN 1004

  Description

  The course enhances the visual communication and creativity skills of students through a palette of advanced sketching skills such as how to draw in perspective and; how to develop visual narratives vis-à-vis scripts and storyboards. A larger spectrum of tools and materials will be introduced such as drawing with markers and other mixed-media. The course contains extensive in-studio sketching sessions where students will explore various advanced sketching approaches under the guidance of the instructor; to further develop their individual creativity and visual communication skills. The course requires basic knowledge on sketching.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Utilize intermediate to advanced sketching skills
  • 2.
    Understand the relationship between sketching and Design Thinking and design innovation
  • 3.
    Think and communicate through sketching
  • 4.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
• ISDN 3010

  Academic and Professional Development III

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  Continuation of ISDN 2010. Graded P, PP or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Communicate effectively
  • 2.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
  • 3.
    Plan study for each semester
  • 4.
    Expose to new technologies and various industries
• ISDN 3150

  AI for Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ISDN 1001 OR ISDN 1002 OR ISDN 1006 OR EMIA 2020

  Description

  This course explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and design, providing students with a general understanding of how AI tools can enhance the design process. Through practical exercises and case studies, students will learn how to use AI to generate design ideas and layouts, predict user behavior and preferences, and create human-centered designs. The course will also cover the ethical considerations of using AI in design, including data bias and privacy concerns. By the end of the course, students will acquire hands-on experience with AI tools and models and be able to incorporate them into their design process.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand what AI and Design are
  • 2.
    Understand the basic concepts for AI and Design, and related ethical issues
  • 3.
    Understand the design process
  • 4.
    Apply AI tools for specific design tasks
  • 5.
    Apply AI tools in the whole design process
  • 6.
    Acquire hands-on experiment technique
  • 7.
    Work and communicate effectively in a team
  • 8.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
• ISDN 3200

  Graphic Communication

  2 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course aims to get the students acquainted with a number of basic components used to build a coherent and meaningful graphic project/entity, which are central to understanding visual communication on fundamental level. This is done through series of lectures and related assignments where these are broken down and applied with special purposes. Necessary technical requirements for digital and physical/material application are covered at the start, after which main design tools (image and text) are analyzed along with basic visual design rules and guidelines (unity, hierarchy, balance, contrast, etc.) followed by addressing elements to build a fundamental graphic narrative (color, reduced visuals, full visuals, infographics), concluded by application of aforementioned items across different media: Deliverables ‐ Poster, Booklet, Digital Presentation, with consistency in translation of semiotic values and with showcasing basic visual literacy in execution of each as a final requirement.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Be capable to identify and formulate problems in a multidisciplinary environment with an understanding of science, engineering, technology, business and design issues and constraints
  • 2.
    Develop innovative problem-solving skills through hands-on learning and application of knowledge of science, engineering and design in integrative systems
  • 3.
    Integrate knowledge and skills using a team-based, project-based pedagogy to be experts in tackling challenging problems considering ethics and societal needs
  • 4.
    Communicate and perform as a design expert in individual and team-based environments
  • 5.
    Be life-long learners
• ISDN 3300

  Interaction Design

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Interaction Design is a design practice to enhance the interaction between users and design solutions. This course stresses user interaction with technology‐based products, services or systems. It also studies the broader interactions beyond merely interaction between users with computer platforms. Students will be introduced several forms of interaction design and their core design principles and tools improving user interaction. They include, Interaction Design (IxD) studying how to form a structure for users to act and react to the products, services or systems; User Experience Design (UX) exploring how to enhance a positive feeling for users while interacting; User Interface Design (UI) enhancing the experience through better design of the interface elements. Finally, the course will consider broader aspects of Interaction Design, including interfacing the workflow with other teams, privacy, and dark patterns. Students will design an interactive application from the initial ideation to usability testing.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand various interaction design principles and their methods
  • 2.
    Apply the methods for different projects
  • 3.
    Design and prototype their own interaction designs in given projects
  • 4.
    Select relevant technologies supporting their own designs and also able to synthesis different technologies when appropriate
  • 5.
    Evaluate their own projects as well as criticize other students’ projects and suggest ways to improve
• ISDN 3350

  Global Product Development

  3 Credit(s)
  Previous Course Code(s)

  ISDN 4350

  Alternate code(s)

  ENTR 3350

  Description

  Joint lecture and project-based course on global product development through a global and interdisciplinary team approach among three institutions in Beijing, Hong Kong and Seoul. This course requires students to go out into global society and industry companies beyond (China, Hong Kong, Korea) for seeking and defining a global user-centered design problem by themselves, to develop the engineering design alternative to solve it, and then to build a working critical function prototype. Students will collaborate through online tools as well as 3 face-to-face meetings throughout the semester in the three respective campuses. This course provides various lectures such as marketing, industrial design, patent law, creative thinking, conceptual design methodology, and case studies in problem ideation. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Identify and articulate customer needs after market research
  • 2.
    Collaborate effectively in an international and multidisciplinary team
  • 3.
    Use design tools and systems engineering approaches to design a global product
  • 4.
    Present in front of diverse audience in a public exhibition
• ISDN 3360

  From Product Innovations to Successful Technology Startups

  3 Credit(s)
  Alternate code(s)

  ENTR 3360

  Description

  This course is intended for students who want to seriously pursue technology startups. Students will be guided to identify critical steps and important milestones associated with each step in order to build a technology startup. The course requires students to take an existing project idea with early conceptual design and prototype, and bring it to the next level of project realization. Lecture topics include market research, industrial design, patent law, supply chain management and business model development. Cross-college faculty and external experts will provide individual and team mentoring for student projects. Company visits, field trips, trade shows and interactions with experienced entrepreneurs will be arranged. Students with good performance in this course are recommended to different funding and incubation opportunities. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Identify the different phases involved in building a technology start-up
  • 2.
    Investigate different successful case studies and learn directly from the entrepreneurs
  • 3.
    Explore business opportunities given a technology innovation
  • 4.
    Explore supply chain, manufacturing networks and sales channel connections
  • 5.
    Investigate IP arrangements and funding opportunities to support the venture
• ISDN 4000

  Special Topics

  1-4 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course will cover the selected topics related to system engineering, robotics, smart city, biomedical applications and/or design thinking. It may be repeated for credits if different topics are taken. May be graded letter grades or DI/PA/F subject to different offerings.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Equip students with broad and useful knowledge to various topics which are not covered by existing courses
• ISDN 4001

  Final Year Design Project I

  4 Credit(s)
  Description

  This course is the first part of the final year project course. Students will continue to expand their skills in technical and design elements as well as knowledge about marketability, sustainability and manufacturability of their product solutions via this project. Students will be assigned into a team and they will define their own project. They will formulate a project proposal to demonstrate project feasibility from a technical and business perspective and seek approval through a proposed project presentation. Students will be given resource and time constraints to complete project milestones under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Regular project meetings will be held to track progress. Each student in a group will be responsible to lead one key element for a successful outcome. A first semester final presentation will update faculty advisors, other ISD faculty and mentors on the project progress and future development plans. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Define the problem and project; ensuring creation of value
  • 2.
    Follow design process to create prototype and iterate to enhance
  • 3.
    Conduct technical, business and design research and being resourceful to overcome limitations and obstacles
  • 4.
    Seek external funding and IP/copyright establishment if needed
  • 5.
    Document and present (including pitching) on project
• ISDN 4002

  Final Year Design Project II

  4 Credit(s)
  Prerequisite(s)

  ISDN 4001

  Description

  This course is the second part of the final year project course, which continues the project based learning training from the first semester. Students will continue their project and come to a conclusion achieving the project milestones or coming up with the final product prototype by the end of the semester. A final project presentation covers the overall project achievements to the faculty advisor, other ISD faculty members and mentors. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Follow design process to create final product prototype
  • 2.
    Conduct technical, business and design research and being resourceful to overcome technical limitations and obstacles
  • 3.
    Put together business plan and pitch deck for product
  • 4.
    Document and present on project
  • 5.
    Registering new company- understand the process and register if appropriate
• ISDN 4010

  Academic and Professional Development IV

  0 Credit(s)
  Description

  Continuation of ISDN 3010. Graded P, PP or F.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Communicate effectively
  • 2.
    Conduct personal reflection from time to time
  • 3.
    Plan study for each semester
  • 4.
    Expose to new technologies and various industries
• ISDN 4200

  Product Management

  3 Credit(s)
  Description

  A product manager can be considered the CEO of a product line. Interdisciplinary skills are required to deal with the design, technical and business aspects to make the product successful in the marketplace. In this course, students are introduced to various responsibilities of a product manager and clear examples are used to illustrate how product managers interface with cross functional team members to make decisions, assess markets and financials, develop strategies and product roadmaps, and seek customer input. The course aims to get students ready for a position as a product manager. Instructor's approval is required for enrollment in the course.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Understand the overall framework for product management
  • 2.
    Develop product strategies and roadmap
  • 3.
    Get product users, product manufacturers, product designer ideas and feedback with a good understanding of the process and procedures involved
  • 4.
    Work with technologist and marketing personnel to get ideas and feedback for product development and feature enhancements
  • 5.
    Perform product competitive analysis
  • 6.
    Document work and make presentations effectively
• ISDN 4330

  Ergonomics in Design

  2 Credit(s)
  Description

  Many of the products marketed today have the word "ergonomic" attached to them. How ergonomic are they? The course is designed to provide a basic understanding of ergonomics in design through the introduction of human anatomy, anthropometry, and modeling techniques with the aim of improving safety, productivity, comfort and health of people.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Apply ergonomic principles for the creation of safer, healthier and more efficient and effective products and activities
  • 2.
    Apply anthropometric tables for evaluation and design criteria for products
  • 3.
    Design a workplace according to ergonomic principles
  • 4.
    Identify engineering solutions to improve human performance and reduce the risk of discomfort and injury when interacting with products
• ISDN 4900

  Independent Study

  1-3 Credit(s)
  Description

  Independent studies or projects under the directed guidance of a faculty member on an integrative systems and design topic. A written report, presentation, and/or an examination are required. Enrollment in the course requires prior approval of the course instructor, and credits assigned depend on the workload. May be repeated for credits. Graded by letter or P/F subject to different offerings. May be graded PP.

  Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • 1.
    Perform literature review and interpret information in a research focus
  • 2.
    Formulate an independent study plan and/ or research hypothesis
  • 3.
    Carry out research through rigorous methodologies such as verification of systems analysis and modeling, and/ or design iteration reviews, etc.
  • 4.
    Prepare high quality research documentation
  • 5.
    Collaborate in multidisciplinary team in problem formulation, design process and application