Study information

Design, Innovation & Entrepreneurship - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEDesign, Innovation & Entrepreneurship CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENGM026 MODULE CONVENER Pratheeba Vimalnath (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 15
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

How do firms design new products, services, and business models, protect them from imitators and competitors, and get them to the market? This module provides an overview of design thinking, innovation process management, intellectual property (IP), and entrepreneurship. It will equip you with the theories, key concepts and practical tools for idea generation & selection, product/service design & implementation, protection of intellectual creations, business model development, strategy formulation and commercialisation. In this module, you will take a deep-dive into practical exercises by applying the tools for identifying new business opportunities, navigating through the core innovation process phases, designing business models, and implementing innovation projects. The module will also include analytics workshops to search IP databases for exploring and analysing existing inventions (prior art) for informed decision making. Case studies, methods and tools from the latest research will be provided in the module. Guest talks and guest lectures will provide opportunity to directly interact with and learn from relevant experts.

No pre-requisite or co-requisite modules are needed to have in order to be able to take this module. This module is suitable for specialist/non-specialist students and is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of the module is to introduce the theoretical and practical elements of design, innovation and entrepreneurship while covering relevant aspects of intellectual property (IP) including patents. It will provide knowledge on design thinking, innovation process management, IP protection, road mapping, business model innovation and entrepreneurship. The module will introduce a set of new and emerging concepts and practical tools for you to solve real-time industry challenges and global issues. This module will adopt project-based learning approach which allows you to learn in a collaborative environment and apply tools provided to solve chosen challenges in groups. Additionally, by exploring IP in the context of real-world problems and innovations addressing global challenges, you will gain an appreciation for the critical role IP plays in building competitive advantage, but also for facilitating sustainable growth and societal development. The module will also include group discussions and presentations to enhance learning and engagement. 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes (i.e. MEng, MSc) which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-4). This module contributes to learning outcomes: M4, M8, M13, M15, M16, M17  

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:  
 
1 Gain a strong knowledge of design, innovation and entrepreneurship in manufacturing (M5, M6, M7) 

2 Gain fundamental knowledge of intellectual property rights relevant to design, innovation, and entrepreneurship (M4, M8, M13). 
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:  
 
3 Apply the learnt knowledge to analyse the real-world challenges in design, innovation and entrepreneurship 
 
4 Apply the knowledge and problem-solving skills to develop potential solutions of the real world challenges in design, innovation and entrepreneurship (M5, M6, M7, M14, M15) 

5 Apply relevant tools and techniques for determining relevant IP protection mechanisms, and analysing patent databases for state-of-the-art, and technology intelligence (M13, M15) 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:  
 
6 Communicate effectively to technical and non-technical people  (M17) 
 
7 Work in groups and have teamwork skills (M16) 
 
8 Study independently, acquire necessary knowledge and skills unaided (M16) 
 
9 Write concise and high-quality individual report (M16) 
 
10 Critical thinking and research skills (i.e. desk-based, online search for archival data) (M16, M17) 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

  1. Introduction: Understanding design, innovation and entrepreneurship in manufacturing 

  1. Design, innovation and entrepreneurship theories 

  1. Design thinking: problem definition and product/ service development 

  1. Need for protection mechanisms and types of IP rights 

  1. Understanding patents and searching patent databases: Prior art search  

  1. Circular thinking  

  1. Business model innovation  

  1. Technology management and road mapping

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 28 Guided Independent Study 122 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 12

Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 16 Tutorials & Workshops 
Guided Independent study  122 Self-study, Preparation for Teaching Sessions, Assessments 

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Verbal feedback during in-class group activities and workshops.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Individual Assignment 80
3500 words

1-6, 8-10 

 Written feedback
Group Work 20 Presentation/Video 1-3, 6-10  Verbal and written feedback 

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Individual Assignment Resubmission of Individual Assignment (3500 words, 80%)

1-6, 8-10

 Referral/deferral period
Group Work Individual narrated PowerPoint (20%)

1-6, 8-10

 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 50%. Deferred or referred group work assessment changes to an individual assignment. Referred assessments are based on either the component or components of the original form of assessment referred.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

Pugh. S (1990), “Total Design: Integrated Methods for Successful Product Engineering”, Prentice Hall Publisher. 

Osterwalder, A. and Pigneur, Y. (2010), “Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers”, John Wiley & Sons

Benjamin M. Legum, Amber R. Stiles and Jennifer L. Vondran (2019) Osterwalder, A. and Pigneur, Y. (2010), “Engineering Innovation: From idea to market through concepts and case studies”

Tidd, J., & Bessant, J. R. (2014). Strategic innovation management. John Wiley & Sons.

European Patent Office (EPO) & European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). (2016). IP Basics: An Introduction to Intellectual Property (part of IP Teaching Kit). EPO Munich.

Granstrand, O. (1999). The economics and management of intellectual property: Towards intellectual capitalism. In The Economics and Management of Intellectual Property. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Web-based and electronic resources: 

Relevant websites and articles will be posted on the Module’s ELE page.

E-journals provided on the Module’s ELE page

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Pugh, S. Total Design Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. 1990 978-0201416398
Set Osterwalder, A and Pigneur, Y Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers John Wiley & Sons 2010
Set Legum, B.M., Stiles, A.R. and Vondran, J.L. Engineering Innovation: From Idea to Market Through Concepts and Case Studies De Grutver 2019 9783110521900
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 31st October 2019 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 5th March 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Design thinking, innovation, Entrepreneurship, intellectual property, patents

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.