Overview
This course is stackable to the Master of Science in Technology and Design Programme
Design Science is a research-driven field dedicated to understanding and improving the design process. This course applies the scientific method to analyse design activities and systematically develop and evaluate new design methods. Drawing from grounded theory, psychology, systems engineering, and design practice, it combines observational studies in both academic and real-world settings with controlled experiments. Participants will engage with prevailing research and explore cutting-edge design thinking methodologies, with a core focus on how new design methods are created and extract foundational insights from design studies.
Insights from disciplines such as engineering, architecture, science, psychology and business will be explored through lectures, case studies, and project work. Participants will work in teams to develop a novel design method and plan a rigorous experimental evaluation. Through this hands-on approach, you will learn to apply advanced design thinking techniques, use statistical tools effectively and design well-controlled studies to uncover meaningful and repeatable phenomena in the design process.
Course details
Course dates:
- 26 January to 2 May 2026
- Two sessions per week over a 14-week period, with a break during Week 7 (recess week).
Registration closing:
- 26 December 2025
Duration:
- 4 hours per week, delivered over 2 sessions weekly. Exact dates and times will be made available in December 2025.
You will attend classes alongside Master of Science in Technology and Design students.
Who should attend
Middle managers with a mission to implement design thinking and/or design innovation in your team/organisation. Typical backgrounds include (but are not limited to): Engineering, Architecture, Business, Industrial Design, Management, Finance