Product Design - B.S.
The Product Design bachelor's degree program at JWU invites students to imagine and create the next generation of connected products, high-tech systems and user experiences. Graduates leave prepared to lead as technologists, innovators and designers in a rapidly changing global economy.
The edges of professional design practice are becoming porous, revealing new challenges and opportunities in the field. A new kind of design thinking is needed to develop the next generation of experiences, interconnected products and interfaces. The Product Design B.S. degree prepares students to integrate system and experience design with strategic innovation, removing traditional boundaries within design practice.
JWU Product Design students explore the web of systems and human experiences surrounding and supported by a design proposal. This approach positions graduates to create smart, connected products or integrate design thinking and problem-solving into established businesses and industries, helping them adapt and differentiate themselves.
Students begin their studies with an intensive design foundation. In small project-based classes, students work closely with faculty to develop their representation, research and communication skills. With skills in hand, students proceed through a studio sequence of increasingly complex design projects with exposure to real clients and real-world problems. In their final year, students develop a capstone design investigation to explore a specific area of interest and begin the transition from student to design professional. Graduating students enter the world ready to use design as a catalyst for change, transforming and improving people’s lives.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply the concepts of universal design to create inspiring, user-focused products and experiences.
- Model systems to improve system performance through design intervention.
- Move iteratively and critically from open-ended problems to design proposals.
- Communicate complex ideas visually, orally and in written form.
- Propose appropriate materials, technologies and processes for design proposals.
Product Design
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| GDES1000 | Drawing for Design | 3 |
| GDES1001 | First Year Design Student Seminar | 1 |
| GDES1020 | Design Theory and Practice | 3 |
| GDES1030 | Vector-Based Design | 3 |
| GDES1040 | Foundations of Web Design | 3 |
| GDES1050 | Image Editing and Design | 3 |
| IDES1010 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
| IDES1030 | Direct Modeling | 3 |
| IDES2010 | Human Factors | 3 |
| IDES2040 | Materials and Processes | 3 |
| IDES2050 | Parametric Modeling | 3 |
| IDES3010 | System Design | 3 |
| IDES3030 | Simulation, Analysis and Optimization | 3 |
| IDES3050 | Emerging Design Technologies | 3 |
| IDES4030 | Preparation for Capstone Project | 1 |
| IDES4050 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| Design Studios | 20 | |
| Design Studio Students will take the Design Studio course five times. Course objectives change based on individual student levels. | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| College of Engineering & Design Internship Ic | ||
| Technical Solutions Design Project | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| FYS1020 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, and one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM, LIT, PHIL or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Fundamentals of Algebra (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Discrete Mathematics | ||
| Science | 3 | |
One course from BIO, CHM, PHY or SCI | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ANTH, ECON, GEND, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC, RES or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 9 Credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 123.0 | |
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?