CDIO-Based Master Programme in Product Development

In autumn 2007, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden, will launch 44 new Master’s programmes, as a step in the Bologna process. The Master’s programme in Product Development, one of these programmes, aims to provide an environment and course syllabus that gives students the knowledge, skills and attitudes to act efficiently within global product developing organizations.This includes specific technical knowledge related to product development, managerial skills to plan and control the process, and practical attainments in using advanced methods and tools for collaborative product development. The diversity of the intake, with students with an undergraduate background in mechanical, electrical, industrial management or industrial design engineering, is used as an asset, enabling student project to be truly multidisciplinary, addressing engineering as well as business development aspects. This paper summarizes the experiences of designing this programme using the CDIO standards and syllabus. In addition, the paper discusses challenges when designing a curriculum in a programme description and making sure that overall learning objectives for the programme are met through individual courses and assessment methods.