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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Strategic Sustainable Development

Revision: 3
Reg.no:


Course syllabus

Creativity for Product- and Service Development

Creativity for Product- and Service Development

7.5 credits (7,5 högskolepoäng)

Course code: MT2546
Main field of study: Mechanical Engineering
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2016-08-29
Approved: 2016-06-16

1. Descision

This course is established by Dean 2016-06-16. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering 2016-06-16 and applies from 2016-08-29.

2. Entry requirements

At least 180 ECTS credit points of university study, or the equivalent, is required. English 6 with a minimum score of IELTS 6,5 or TOEFL 575 is required. The student must also have completed, or concurrently be enrolled in, a 6 ECTS course in strategic sustainable development, e.g., the course Introduction to Strategic Sustainable Development, or a similar course.

3. Objective and content

3.1 Objective

The aim of the course is that student will gain:
• Deepened understanding for and experience of methods and tools that promote creativity, for use in the early phases of the product-service development process. 
• Deepened understanding for and experience of methods and tools for identification of user needs and assessment of how these relate to general human needs.
• Experience of designing, building and testing prototypes based on conceptual ideas.
• Basic knowledge about how to plan and manage creativity sessions in organizations.

3.2 Content

The course includes:

  • Methods and tools for creative problem solving for product-service development and examples of business models related to specific design challenges.
  • Methods and tools for identification and assessment of user needs.
  • Creativity related group dynamics and basics for planning and managing of creative thought processes.

4. Learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:

4.1. Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course the student will:

  • demonstrate deepened knowledge on how to independently plan and implement creativity sessions using creativity methods and tools for the development of products and services in organizations.

4.2. Competence and skills

On completion of the course the student will:

  • demonstrate ability to select and apply methods and tools for need identification and need assessment and also identify innovation opportunities.
  • demonstrate ability to identify sustainability challenges and apply methods and tools for creative problem solving to find adequate solutions to such challenges.

4.3. Judgement and approach

On completion of the course the student will:

  • demonstrate ability to independently identify, assess and prioritize methods and tools for working with specific design challenges.
  • demonstrate ability to evaluate products and services from a sustainability perspective.

5. Learning activities

The student learns through a combination of lectures, workshops, readings, group work and reflections. The course has a focus on student-led projects which are supported by lectures, workshops and presentations during the course. All students write an individual reflection journal and participate in group assignments that results in a portfolio of finalized tasks.

6. Assessment and grading

Modes of examinations of the course

Code Module Credit Grade
1610 Project 6 credits AF
1620 Reflection 1.5 credits AF

The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, Fx Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.

The final grade is weighed together linearly based on the credit points and grades of the respective moment. If grade FX are given, the student may after consultation with the examiner get an opportunity to within 6 weeks complement the grade to an E for the specific course moment.

The information before the start of the course states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.

An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.

7. Course evaluation

The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.

8. Restrictions regarding degree

The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.

9. Course literature and other materials of instruction

Provided articles and other materials.

The main course book is:

Kelley, T. and Kelley, D., 2013. Creative confidence:

Unleashing the creative potential within us all.

Crown Business.

10. Additional information

This course replaces MT2531