EPN-V2

UNIK4000 Technology, Innovation and Product Development Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Technology, Innovation and Product development
Study programme
Master's Degree Programme in Product Design – Design in Complexity
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2017/2018
Programme description
Course history

Required preliminary courses

Admission to the Master's programme.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students are able to

  • explain how social, economic and cultural factors interact with technological factors in innovation processes
  • recognise and discuss alternative approaches and strategies involved in technological innovations
  • identify and analyse factors that may promote or threaten the innovation process
  • write a basic business plan for an innovation based start-up or a plan for the implementation of entrepreneurial ideas in existing companies
  • perform communicative skills orally and visually in the presentation of innovative ideas
  • relate well to students of all abilities and from other academic backgrounds in a project

Content

  • Innovation theories and related analytical approaches to innovation.
  • Diffusion of innovations and various diffusion dynamics.
  • Product development processes, management and organization.
  • Alternative approaches and strategies in product development.
  • How to anticipate and predict technology trends and future market demand.
  • Innovation and commercialisation.
  • Funding innovations and company start-ups, and intellectual property rights.

Teaching and learning methods

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are individual work, group work, lectures, tutorials and excursions.

The course is organised in three parts with a total of 42 hours of lectures.

Part 1: Theories on technological innovations - 15 hours of lectures.

Part 2: Product development - 12 hours of lectures.

Part 3: Commercialisation and business development - 15 hours of lectures.

In addition to this: Approximately six hours for excursions.

Course requirements

  • One individual presentation.
  • One group presentation.
  • One written assignment.

Assessment

Oral examination in small groups.

The examination result cannot be appealed against.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

At the final oral examinations, the student groups may use power-point presentations, exhibits, prototypes, etc. as they consider fit.

Grading scale

A grading scale of A (highest) to F (lowest) where A to E is a pass grade and F is a fail grade.

Examiners

One internal and one external.