EPN-V2

MAPD4000 Philosophy of Science and Design Research Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Philosophy of Science and Design Research
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Course history
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
  • Introduction

    Design has evolved into a discipline that aims to make a positive impact on various aspects of nature and society. Consequently, designers find themselves in increasingly cross-disciplinary and multimodal environments, where they need to discover, investigate, define problems, and support claims based on evidence gained through universal scientific and academic practices.

    In this course, students will develop the ability to conduct scientific design research and gain an understanding of its relevance to practice.

  • Required preliminary courses

    Admission to the Master's programme.

  • Learning outcomes

    After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge

    The student has knowledge of

    • the philosophical underpinnings of scientific research
    • various theories and methods in science and design research
    • ethical implications of scientific and professional work

    Skills

    The student is able to

    • plan and complete their own research projects
    • identify, discuss and evaluate relevant research theories and methods
    • integrate academic scientific methods and coherence in practice based and creative research

    General competence

    The student

    • has a developed understanding of academic and practical design research and its relevance to practice
    • -can contribute to collaboration for the sustainability goals
  • Content

    • History and philosophy of science
    • Scientific research methods
    • Ethics in research and professional work
    • Research by design
    • Studio workshop experiments

  • Teaching and learning methods

    The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are lectures, seminars, group work, self-study, studio work and tutoring.

  • Course requirements

    The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

    • Attendance of minimum 80%
    • 2 milestone deliverables (oral presentation and/or written)
  • Assessment

    Individual or group assignment, consisting of:

    • Individual written home examination, 2500 - 4000 words long, or in accordance with specifications set by a publication channel of the student's choice
    • Students can choose to work in groups, but must submit 1 (one) written assignment per student
    • Language: English, or after discussion with course leader, in Norwegian

    The examination result can be appealed.

  • Permitted exam materials and equipment

    All aids allowed

  • Grading scale

    Grade scale A-F

  • Examiners

    Two internal. External examiner is used periodically.