MAE 4631

Advanced Product Design

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

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.

Enrollment Information Enrollment limited to: Mechanical Engineering (M.E.) seniors.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2026SP, 2025SP, 2024SP, 2022SP

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to experience the major impact of a human-centered design approach.
• Students will be able to understand the importance of managing interfaces between subsystems in prototype development.
• Students will be able to identify product platforms for mechanical design with commercial potential.
• Students will be able to appreciation of Intellectual Property in terms of design and utility.

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