course-details-portlet

TPD4505

Design Theory, Specialization Course

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2024 / Spring 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement A scientific paper

About

About the course

Course content

The aim of this course is to extend the knowledge about scientific and theoretical approaches used in design research. Key abilities that students should practice are: 1) Choosing, defining and refine a research topic for further scientific study, 2) Using scientific research methodologies related to design research, 3) Selecting, reviewing and interpreting relevant literature, and deriving implications for future research, 4) Writing a scientific review article in English. The course set up requires students to select and refine a theme, and discuss with an assigned IPD supervisor approaches towards writing a scientific review article. All results must be open for publication.

It should be noted that students can determine self the topic they write about, and have many opportunities to obtain theoretical knowledge related to design for sustainability themes.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • The course has provided the candidates with a theoretical specialization related to design.
  • Students have improved their knowledge on how to collect, read, appropriate and write scientific literature.

Skills:

  • Students are able to write an academic essay (in English) using the insights gained from article writing exercise, literature studies and method choices.

General competence:

  • Candidates can write a scientific paper related to design research.
  • Candidates can organise and execute an independent project, and can organise supervision from relevant teachers according to their needs.
  • Candidates gain experience with opportunities and challenges related to choice of theme and focus finding in an independent project. Thereby they will be better prepared for their master thesis.

Learning methods and activities

Literature review, supervision meetings, and article writing. It is expected that students work very independently, and organise a supervision routine with an appointedsupervisor themselves.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

TPD4166 Design 8 OR IDG4113

Course materials

Defined individually.

Subject areas

  • Product Design Engineering - Design Methodology
  • Eco Design
  • Design Strategies
  • Design Methodology
  • Interaction Design