Specializations - Design and Innovation

Specializations

DTU offers three specializations as part of the Design & Innovation MSc program. Pursuing a study line is voluntary - students can always choose not to pursue a specialization, giving the highest flexibility in their choice of courses.

Regardless of specialisation, all Design & Innovation students share a joined foundation of designerly thinking and the ability to develop, customize and deploy context-specific design processes, as well as to user-centric design engaging with a wide range of users and other stakeholders to design technology for people and society.

1. Design of Complex Technical Systems (Systems Engineering)
Students in this specialization focus on product development of complex technical systems. They develop advanced hardware components and systems in an application focus area of their choosing, for example, manufacturing and production systems, medical devices, maritime applications, energy systems (e.g. offshore wind and energy islands), or aerospace and defence systems. Their methodological focus is Systems Engineering, i.e. requirements engineering, platform and systems architecture, component design and integration, and testing (validation and verification).

2. Design for Circularity and Sustainability
Students in this specialization focus on design methods to advance the sustainable transition of society. They develop innovative circular solutions for products, services and systems. Students focus on design for circularity, product-service system design, and designing circular business models. This includes the ability to execute complex product and system sustainability life cycle assessments. Application areas include both industrial and consumer products, services and systems across a range of sectors (e.g. medical, electronics, construction, energy and mobility).

3. Design of Smart Products and Systems
Students in this specialization focus on developing integrated cyber-physical products and mechatronic systems that leverage advanced digital capabilities in conjunction with hardware design. This includes integrating sensors, data processing and analysis, autonomous and artificial intelligence capabilities and a wide range of actuators. Application areas range from consumer electronics to medical devices to autonomous systems.

Specializations are merely recommended ways of choosing the courses in the curriculum. Applicants are not admitted to a specialization but to the programme and it is possible to choose among all the courses in the curriculum following the directions given. However, if a specialization has been fulfilled the title of the specialization may be added to the diploma.