Product Engineering & Design Thinking Course | IIT Kharagpur & Ropar
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 2676 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Mastering Product Engineering & Design Thinking: An 8-Week Course by IIT Professors
In today's fast-paced and innovation-driven market, the ability to create successful products is paramount. The disciplines of Product Engineering and Design Thinking have emerged as the cornerstones of this process, blending technical rigor with human-centered creativity. For students and professionals aspiring to lead in fields like automotive, consumer goods, healthcare devices, and mechatronics, a deep understanding of these methodologies is no longer optional—it's essential.
This is where a structured, expert-led course makes all the difference. We are excited to introduce an intensive 8-week course designed and delivered by two distinguished professors from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). This program is meticulously crafted to transform how you approach product creation, from the first spark of an idea to a robust, manufacturable, and user-centric solution.
Meet Your Instructors: Industry Veterans and Academic Pioneers
The course is led by two authorities who bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world industrial application.
Prof. Pranab K. Dan - IIT Kharagpur
Prof. Dan is an Associate Professor at IIT Kharagpur's School of Engineering Entrepreneurship. With a robust background that includes senior roles in multinational corporations like GEC-Alsthom, he brings invaluable industrial perspective to the classroom. His research focuses on Design Thinking, Frugal Engineering, Automotive Powertrain, and Ecodesigning. He is the founder of the 'Product Analytic and Modeling Laboratory (PAM Lab)' and has introduced pioneering courses like 'Engineering Design Process' and 'Design Thinking Lab' at IIT KGP. As Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Cell and a mentor to startups, Prof. Dan is deeply invested in fostering design-led entrepreneurship.
Prof. Prabir Sarkar - IIT Ropar
Prof. Sarkar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Ropar. With a Ph.D. in Design Creativity from IISc Bangalore and prior research experience at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA, his expertise is cutting-edge. His research in the Design Research Laboratory and Sustainable Design and Manufacturing Laboratory spans Ecodesign, Biomimicry, Engineering Aesthetics, and Sustainable Machining. Having secured significant external funding and authored over 80 publications, Prof. Sarkar is at the forefront of developing tools for novel and sustainable product design.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This undergraduate/postgraduate level course provides a comprehensive journey through the modern product development lifecycle, anchored in mechanical engineering principles but applicable across disciplines.
Duration: 8 Weeks
Level: Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Category: Mechanical Engineering
Weekly Course Layout
| Week | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Product Design, Engineering & Design Thinking; Product Design Specification & Planning |
| Week 2 | Integrating the Fuzzy Front End of Complex Product Development with Design Thinking |
| Week 3 | Design Thinking for Need Identification; Conceptual Design & Idea Generation Techniques |
| Week 4 | Concept Evaluation, Selection, and Testing Methods |
| Week 5 | Embodiment Design, Product Architecture, Configuration Design, and Eco-design |
| Week 6 | Design for Manufacturing; Digital & Rapid Prototyping; Affordability Engineering |
| Week 7 | Design Challenges in Mechatronics; Design Thinking Tools; Frugal Innovation |
| Week 8 | Design Entrepreneurship & User Experience Study Methods in Industrial Design |
Who Should Enroll?
- Intended Audience: UG/PG Students, Research Scholars, and Faculty.
- Prerequisites: Completion of the first year of a UG Technology/Engineering program (B.Tech/B.E./B.Des.).
- Industry Support: Highly relevant for professionals and companies in automotive, white goods, equipment manufacturing, consumer goods, mechatronics, assistive technology, healthcare devices, and prototyping services.
Core Competencies You Will Develop
- Systematic Design Approach: Move from vague needs to precise product specifications and validated concepts.
- Human-Centered Innovation: Apply Design Thinking methodologies to ensure solutions are desirable, viable, and feasible.
- Sustainable & Frugal Engineering: Learn to design for affordability, robustness, and environmental impact (Ecodesign).
- From Concept to Prototype: Master embodiment design, product architecture, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: Understand how to leverage design for entrepreneurship and create compelling user experiences.
Essential Reading & Resources
The course curriculum is supported by a rich collection of texts and original lecture notes, including:
- Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach by Pahl, Beitz, et al.
- Product Design and Development by Ulrich, Eppinger, and Yang.
- Change by Design by Tim Brown.
- Design Thinking for Strategic Innovation by Idris Mootee.
- Exclusive Lecture Notes by Prof. Pranab K. Dan and Prof. Prabir Sarkar.
Why This Course is a Must-Do
This course is more than just a series of lectures; it's a blueprint for becoming a new-age product professional. By combining the systematic processes of Product Engineering with the empathetic, iterative approach of Design Thinking, it equips you to tackle the complex challenges of the emerging economy. You'll learn the methodologies adopted by blue-chip industries and world-class universities, making you a valuable asset in any organization focused on innovation.
Whether you aim to join R&D in a leading firm, launch your own product-based startup, or simply master the art and science of creating meaningful products, this 8-week journey with IIT's finest is your definitive starting point.
Enroll Now →