Industrial Design Electives

Suggested Technical Electives for BSME Students Majoring in Mechanical Engineering who are Interested in Industrial Design

(see also: Industrial Design minor offered through the College Architecture and Design)

Mechanical Engineering majors can use courses to count as both technical electives towards their BSME degree and also towards an Industrial Design minor. Courses used for a minor must be taken A-F. For more information about the Industrial Design minor please see the Industrial Design minor website.

Technical Electives

Mechanical Engineering majors must complete 12 credits of tech electives; no more than 3 credits can be used from List #2, with 6 credits of 3000- or higher level ME and/or NSEG subject courses.  Be sure to consult the graduation checksheet for the year in which you entered Virginia Tech for to see a full list of approved technical electives and the rules for technical elective selection. Please see the Timetable of Classes for course availability, which can change without warning.  Most technical electives are taught no more than once per year.

List #2 Technical Electives

IDS 2044 – Human Factors (3 credits) ***Required for Industrial Design Minor*** - recently taught Fall and Spring semesters
*Note: Course is often restricted to IDS minors/majors, but may be open to non IDS students if space permits (typically Spring) - check timetable for up-to-date offerings and restrictions.
This course examines human factors as it informs the design process, and as a tool to maximize the physical and psychological aspects of design toward the establishment of a human centered design. Frameworks of industrial design philosophy, research methods, standards and data, human issues, cultural context, and design outcomes. Pre: ARCH 1016.

IDS 3124– Materials & Processes (3 credits)
***Required for Industrial Design Minor*** - typically taught Fall only
Current design processes, materials, manufacturing processes, techniques, and equipment used in the design of products for mass and rapid production. Variety of materials and manufacturing processes available to the industrial designer for mass production impact his/her design process. Emphasis placed on the relationship of processes and equipment, to the environment and the end user. Includes concepts of material science. Practical issues of material selection and application, process selection, and specification.

List #1 Technical Electives

ISE 3614 – Introduction to Human Factors Ergonomic Engineering (3 credits) - recently taught Fall, Spring, and Summer 
*Note: This course may be restricted to ISE majors. Contact ISE advising department for force-add request (alternate ME prerequisites may be accepted)
Investigation of human factors, ergonomics, and work measurement engineering, with emphasis on a systems approach toward workplace and machine design. Discussion of basic human factors research and design methods, design/evaluation methods for work systems and human machine interactions, human information processing, visual and auditory processes, display and control design, and effects of environmental stressors on humans.  Pre: C- or better: in ISE 2004 and STAT 4105