MAE 4631 - Advanced Product Design

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Enrollment limited to: MAE seniors. Satisfies M.E. senior design requirement. Co-meets with MAE 4630/MAE 5630.

R. Shepherd.

This hands-on course instructs on strategies to invent - make - and disseminate products that solve an identified need. These products can be consumer, enterprise, research, for profit or non-profit. The lectures will primarily be discussion based on assigned readings and tasks, and guest lectures from domain experts. The course combines lectures and field/lab activities on the new product development cycle: invention based on bioinspiration, iterative design based on customer discovery, team brainstorming, prototyping, testing/consumer feedback, and manufacturing innovation.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to experience the major impact of a human-centered design approach.

Outcome 2: Students will be able to understand the importance of managing interfaces between subsystems in prototype development.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to identify product platforms for mechanical design with commercial potential.

Outcome 4: Students will be able to appreciation of Intellectual Property in terms of design and utility.