Introducing Human-Centered Design Early in the Engineering Curriculum

This paper focuses on the development and implementation of a cross-disciplinary, project-driven course on human-centered design. The sophomore-level course is required of all students in the industrial engineering major. The course prerequisites are a part of the college-wide freshman engineering curriculum, enabling students in other engineering majors to take the course as well. The primary objective of this course is to introduce the product development process and human-centered methodologies for designing engineering systems into the engineering curriculum. Additional objectives are to:

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Let the students experience the product development process through a semester-long, real-world design project.

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Prepare students to work with other specialists in the kind of cross-functional design teams employed in engineering practice.

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Educate students to focus early and continually on the customers and users of their products.

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Use a variety of writing and speaking activities to achieve active participation in the educational process, team building, and a class environment dedicated to professional success.

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Enhance retention of engineering students by emphasizing collaborative learning and the product development process early in the curriculum.