Curriculum
The University of Michigan Dearborn is on a semester system. The students pursuing the BSE degree in Human-Centered Engineering Design follow the curriculum that was approved by the faculty in 2020 and took into effect starting Fall 2020.
The Bachelor of Science Engineering in Human Centered Engineering Design (BSE in HCED) requires a total of 128 credit hours and provides first, a strong basis in the foundations of engineering: natural and physical sciences, mathematics, the behavioral sciences and the basic engineering sciences which begin the emphasis on creative problem solving. Then, the program develops strong foundation on which human centered design engineering work is founded. This includes studies in design process and creative problem solving, design communication, art design, qualitative and quantitative research methods in need finding, usability engineering, human factors engineering, and prototyping. Innovative problem solving, product/process design and prototyping skills are progressively developed and applied through a 4-year (freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year) individual and team based immersive design project experiences. The program creates an environment that inspires brainstorming for innovative and aesthetic solutions while emphasizing the theoretical, technological and design knowledge. The 128 credit hours required to finish the degree include at least 21 credit hours of distribution requirements that include courses in English Composition, Economics, Humanities, Behavioral Sciences, and Social Sciences. It also includes 47 credit hours of basic preparation courses that include courses in Basic Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. The remaining credit hours are in professional Human Centered Engineering Design course, 32 of which are in required courses, 9 credit hours are art + design courses, 6 credit hours business courses, and the up to 19 credit hours are concentration technical and free elective courses.
Visit the University Catalog to learn more about required coursework for the Human Centered Engineering Design major.
Curriculum Requirements
Curriculum requirement sheets and sample course sequences are available through the Office of Advising and Academic Success:
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
COMP 105 | Composition I | 3 |
COMP 106/270 | Technical Writing for Engineers I | 3 |
ART 210 | Beginning Digital Design | 3 |
ART 410 | Advanced Digital Design | 3 |
ENGR 360 | Design Thinking: Proc. Meth & Prct | 4 |
IMSE 421 | Engineering Econ and Des Analysis | 3 |
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
ENG 100 | Introduction to Engineering and Engineering Design | 3 |
Mathematics
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
MATH 115 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 116 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 228 | Diff Eqns with Linear Algebra | 4 |
IMSE 317 | Engr Probab/Statistics | 3 |
Chemistry, (Anatomy/Physiology), and Physics
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
CHEM 144 | Gen Chemistry IB | 4 |
BIO 103 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
PHYS 150 | General Physics I | 4 |
PHYS 151 | General Physics II | 4 |
Core Engineering Courses
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
IMSE 255/CIS 150/CIS 1501/ ECE 270/ENGR 216 | One Coding Class | 4 |
ECE 210 | Circuits | 4 |
ENGR 250 | Engr Materials | 3 |
ME 265 or ME 260 | Design Stress Analysys or Applied Mechanics | 4 |
Engineering Design Courses
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
ART 202 | Beginning Drawing | 3 |
HCED 220 | Engineering Design Communication | 2 |
ENGR 360 | Design Thinking: Proc. Meth & Prct | 4 |
HCED 370 | Needfinding & Res Methods in Des | 3 |
HCED 380 | Product Prototyping: Tools and Tech | 4 |
IMSE 382 | Manufact Processes I | 4 |
IMSE 421 | Engineering Econ and Des Analysis | 3 |
IMSE 4425 | Human Factors/Ergo | 4 |
HCED 450 | Product Realization: Des and Making | 4 |
HCED 4951 | Cap Proj: Needfinding & Conceptual | 2 |
HCED 4952 | Cap Proj: Design & Implementation | 2 |
Business Requirements – 2 courses to be selected (6 credits)
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
MKT 352 | Marketing Principles and Policies | 3 |
MKT 382 | Understanding Customers | 3 |
OB 354 | Behaviour in Organization | 3 |
ENT 400 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
BA 320 | Project Mgmnt and Leadership Skills | 3 |
CONCENTRATIONS: A student pursuing a concentration (1), (2), (3), or (4) must complete a minimum four courses from that specific concentration.
INDIVIDUALIZED CONCENTRATION: Complete at least three courses from concentrations (1) through (4).
Mechanical Engineering Design
ME 345 (4) Engineering Dynamics, ME 3601 (4) Design and Analy of Mech Elem, ME 4191 (4) Structural Mech & Design, ME 460 (3) Design for Mfg, ME 4981 (4) Automotive Engineering, ENGR 350 (4) Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Elect and Computer Engineering Design
ECE 273 (4) Digital Systems, ECE 311 (4) Electronic Circuits, ECE 329 (4) Intro to Computer Music, ECE 413 (3) Intro to VLSI Design, ECE 3731 (4) Microproc and Embedded Sys, ECE 471 (4), Intro to Network and Communications, ECE 450 (4) Analog and Digital Comm Sys, ECE 460 (4) Automatic Control Systems, ECE 473 (4) Embedded System Design, ECE 4951 (3) Sys Desgn and Microcontrollers
Software Engineering and UX Design
CIS 200 (4) or CIS 2001 (4), CIS 285 (3) SE Tools, CIS 350 or CIS 3501, CIS 375 (4) Software Engineering I, CIS 435 (3) Web Technology, CIS 436 (3) Mobile App Des and Impl, CIS 411 (3) Natural Language Processing, CIS 479 (3) Intro to AI
Systems Engineering Design
IMSE 3005, Intro to Operations Res, IMSE 440 (3) Appl Stat Models in Engin, IMSE 4795 (4) Prod, Inv Ctrl and Lean, IMSE 477 (3) UX/UI Design, IMSE 4835 (4) Comp Aided Proc Des & Mfg, BA 320 (3) Proj Management and Leader Skills, IMSE 4585 (4) Simulation in Systems Design
Other Technical Electives
COMM 300 (3), COMM 340 (3), ESCI 275 (3), ENST 340 (3), ESCI 490B (3), ANTH 460 (3), ANTH 470 (3)
FREE ELECTIVES - 1 course (3 credits)
There are opportunities to develop skills and connect with others interested in Human Centered Engineering Design beyond the classroom. Check out the Human Centered Engineering Design Major Map to get a more detailed, year-by-year view of how you can learn, engage, network, and transform your community and prepare for life after graduation.
Get Involved
Join a professional organization, such as the Society of Manufacturing Engineering (SME), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME),Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE), Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). Qualified students are invited to join the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. Explore UM-Dearborn student organizations on VictorsLink
Get Real-World Experience
Human Centered Engineering Design is a problem-based design program, where every year, each cohort of students will be presented with real-life community or industry problems and will be challenged to create solutions. Furthermore, internship, research, and study abroad opportunities are available for manufacturing engineering students. Talk with your professors to learn more.
Plan for Life After Graduation
Human Centered Engineering Designer works for a variety of engineering industries, including automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, medical devices, defense, software, website and phone application development, and product development...
Career Services offers assistance with job searching, resumes, interviews, or graduate school applications.
General Program Information
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Major/Dual Degree
- Internship and Research Opportunities Available
- Scholarships Available
- Educational Objectives
- Student Outcomes