Crafting Your Personalized Design Science Curriculum
One of the core strengths of the University of Michigan’s Design Science program is its flexibility and interdisciplinary nature. Students are empowered to design a curriculum tailored to their unique goals and interests, drawing on courses across the university. This personalization happens primarily through the selection of Group B courses, which allow students to go deep in a chosen area of specialization or integrate multiple domains in novel ways.
Because of this flexibility, no two Design Science degrees are alike. While this is a major advantage, it also requires intentional planning. Students are strongly encouraged to begin developing their course plan early—ideally as soon as they are admitted—and to consult regularly with program advisors. Crafting a meaningful and coherent curriculum often demands more effort than choosing courses within a traditional disciplinary program, but the payoff is a degree that is truly aligned with your aspirations.
These examples are not prescriptive, but illustrative. Many students blend areas or define entirely new pathways. The most successful students are those who actively engage in the process of reflection, exploration, and consultation to create a curriculum that supports their intellectual development and future career goals.
Here are several example specializations and representative courses for Group B course selections:
Human-Centered Design
Example Courses:
- IOE 536 – Cognitive Ergonomics and Human Systems Integration
- IOE 537 – Ergonomics for Inclusive Design
- MECHENG 557 – Front-End Design
- SI 552 – Introduction to Accessibility
- SI 582 – Introduction to Interaction Design
- SI 588 – Principles of User Experience
- SI 622 – Needs Assessment and Usability Evaluation
Design Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Example Courses:
- ENTR 419 (formerly ENTR 490.012) – Innovation for Urban Impact
- ENTR 520 – Technology-Inspired Business Models
- ENTR 530 – Innovation and Intellectual Property Strategy
- ENTR 570 – Creativity and Product Development
- ENRR 599.413 – Entrepreneurship Marketing
- IOE 548 – Integrated Product Development (IPD)
Design of Human-User Interfaces & Data Visualization
Example Courses:
- IOE 431 – Human-Centered and User Experience Design
- PSYCH 463 – Statistical Modeling and Data Visualization in R
- PSYCH 711 – Questionnaire Design and Evaluation
- SI 520 – Graphic Design and Visual Communications
- SI 544 – Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
- SI 559 – Introduction to AR/VR Application Design
- SI 582 – Introduction to Interaction Design
- SI 616 – Advanced Topics in Graphic Design and Communication
- SI 622 – Needs Assessment and Usability Evaluation
- SI 649 – Information Visualization
- SI 658 – Information Architecture
- SI 659 – Developing AR/VR Experiences
- STATS 513 – Regression and Data Analysis
Sustainable Design
Example Courses:
- ARCH 515 – Sustainable Systems
- ARCH 595/CEE 574 – Materials Selection for Sustainable Design
- EAS 512 – Strategies for Sustainable Development I: Enterprise Integration
- EAS 513 – Strategies for Sustainable Development II: Market Transformation
- EAS 514 – Sustainability and Development Foundations: Theories and Frameworks
- EAS 515 – Sustainability and Development Foundations: Grand Challenges
- EAS 537 – Urban Sustainability
- EAS/BA 605 – Green Development
- ME 489 – Sustainable Engineering and Design
- MSE 489 – Designing Sustainable Products and Processes
- URP 439/539 – Sustainable Design and Construction in Real Estate
- URP 532 – Sustainability and Social Change
Product Design Innovation & Management
Example Courses:
- BIOMEDE 651 – Product Realization Practicum I
- BIOMEDE 652 – Product Realization Practicum II: Design‑Build‑Test [Enforced Prerequisites: BIOMEDE 651]
- ES 605 – New Product and Innovation Management
- ENTR 405 – Digital Product Design
- SI 591 – Humanitarian Innovation: Co-Design for Social Impact
- TO 548 – Integrated Product Development (IPD)
- TO563 – Innovations in Global Health Delivery
Data Analysis & Research Methods
- Quantitative Methods
- SI 544 – Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
- STATS 513 – Regression and Data Analysis
- SOC 510 – Statistics
- EAS 570 – Environmental Economics: Quantitative Methods and Tools
- ECON 500 – Quantitative Methods
- EDUC 793 – Intro to Quantitative Research Methods
- EDUC 794 – Quantitative Methods for Causal Analysis in Education (Prerequisites: EDUC 793)
- PSYCH 613 – Advanced Statistical Methods I
- PSYCH 614 – Advanced Statistical Methods II
- Qualitative Methods
- SI 303 – Introduction to Qualitative Methods
- SI 622 – Needs Assessment and Usability Evaluation
- SI 724 – Qualitative Methods
- PSYCH 692 – Qualitative Research Methods
- PSYCH 711 – Questionnaire Design and Evaluation
- PUBPOL 633 – Qualitative Methods
- EAS 559 – Interviewing and Qualitative Data Analysis
- EDUC 692 – Methods in Educational Research: Qualitative Methods for Program Improvement and Evaluation