- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


ME50294: Product design and development

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 50%, EX 50%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: ME30294 Re-Assessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To illustrate the stages of product design processes, methods for creativity and styling, awareness of human factors and ergonomics.
To provide awareness of the product design discipline and typical activities undertaken.
To introduce strategic, cultural, organisational and technological aspects of product development in a global context, including consideration of knowledge management issues, models of the new product introduction (NPI) process, management of the NPI process, product development strategies, sustainable development issues.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Describe typical product design processes; appreciate user requirements such as style, form and interaction.
* Identify the key elements of successful products.
* Describe the historic context of global product development.
* Outline strategic, organisational, human and cultural factors that should be taken into account when developing products for a global market.
* Describe approaches to sustainable design.
* Undertake individual independent study of relevant topic.

Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently; written communication.

Content:
Product design: user requirements, form, styling, functionality. Creativity, concept generation, concept evaluation. Human factors, ergonomics. Examples of successful products and best practice.
Product development: historical and cultural context. Human aspects: communities of practice; critical situations; methods for knowledge sharing, cultural issues. Strategic aspects: managing the design process; product platform and strategy; mass customisation; late and local configuration, issues of and approaches to sustainable development. Topics for self study that could be examined.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME50294 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ME50294 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.