Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme specialises in understanding and accommodating the motivations, desires and capabilities of users, in all their forms, in the development of innovative products, services and systems. The emphasis of the programme targets design research evidenced based reasoning, and a range of human-centred methods to inform the design process. Students on this course will develop appropriate prototypes specifically designed to test and understand human performance and to inform the design of systems, services and interactive products.

In particular the curriculum aims to;

• Advance the understanding of designing with particular attention to human factors;
• Provide opportunities for students to develop skills, values and attributes, and to acquire knowledge and understanding, relevant to user centred product development;
• Develop a range of conceptual, practical and professional skills that reflects a synthesis of product design and ergonomics;
• Develop and foster imaginative, creative and scientific abilities, both individually and in teams;
• Provide opportunities for students to develop and apply appropriate methods to identify user needs, motivations and abilities and critically evaluate products that require human interaction;
• Develop effective communication skills, including those required for verbal, visual and technical presentation;
• Promote an understanding of, and examine the opportunities for, professional practice.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

 The Quality Assurance Agency’s framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (August, 2008);

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to understand: 

K1 - design methodology, the context of design activity, and the role of the designer within professional practice 

K2 - the synergy of design and people 

K3 - a user centred approach to design 

K4 - human needs, variability, capability and limitations 

K5 - anatomical, physiological and psychological aspects of humans to inform design practice 

K6 - the principles and practice of user research and its current limits 

K7 - 2d and 3d modelling and communication in both analogue and digital media and their role within design 

K8 - experimental design, data processing and presentation

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

C1 - demonstrate evidence based reasoning and make critical judgements about arguments in ergonomics and design 

C2 - develop design ideas, as an individual and also as part of a group 

C3 - identify suitable user centred techniques and the appropriate stages where they may be used to support the design process 

C4 – evaluate and interpret quantitative and qualitative data relating to the user and / or design 

C5 - analyse human variability and capability in terms of cognition and physiology 

C6 - understand the ethical, cultural and legal contexts of working with and for people 

C7 - understand the selection and application of appropriate visualisation and communication techniques to support design activity

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

P1 - design appropriate evaluations, process quantitative and qualitative data and apply findings in an iterative design process 

P2 - employ user research techniques to support design activity; 

P3 - communicate quantitative and qualitative data relating to the user and / or design 

P4 – apply a user centred design process in response to a brief, to produce appropriate design solutions 

P5 - measure human variability and capability in terms of cognition and physiology 

P6 - apply a range of 2d and 3d modelling and presentation techniques in both analogue and digital forms to support design activity

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

G1 - use creativity and innovation in problem solving 

G2 - apply their skills and understanding in professional practice 

G3 – evaluate and reflect upon and present ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms 

G4 - interact effectively with others, working as a member of a small group or team 

G5 – responsibly manage self-learning including efficient time management and the ability to meet deadlines 

G6 - identify, retrieve and analyse information relevant to a proposition, discussion or issue 

G7 - demonstrate competence with information technology, using a range of different software tools 

G8 - demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge gained in one area to a cognate problem in another area

4. Programme structure

4. Programme structure 

4.1          Part A - Introductory Modules 

In the following tables, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘o’ indicates an optional module 

Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (total modular weight 10)

Compulsory modules in Semester 2 (total modular weight 10)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 100)

4.2          Part B - Degree Modules 

Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (total modular weight 30)

Compulsory modules in Semester 2 (total modular weight 30)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 60) 

4.3          Part I – Placement (8 semester programme only) 

Candidates on degree programme User Centred Design with the Diploma in Professional Studies will undertake industrial/professional training.

Part I – Overseas Study / Placement (8 semester programme only) 

Candidates on degree programme User Centred Design with the Diploma in International Studies will undertake industrial/professional training for half the year and will study at one of the Design School’s approved academic institutions for the other half of the academic year. 

4.4          Part C - Degree Modules 

*Students must select from either DSC029 or DSC030 depending upon the nature of their DSC028 Final Year User Centred Design Practice: Product 1 module.

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 (total modular weight 60)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 10)

Compulsory modules across Semester 2 (total modular weight 30)

Optional modules across Semester 2 (total modular weight 20)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also:

 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits including Prototyping for Evaluation (DSA202).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark