Curriculum Overview
The Design program at Universal Ai University Maharashtra is structured over eight semesters, with a blend of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and hands-on laboratory experiences. The curriculum is designed to progressively build foundational knowledge while encouraging innovation and specialization.
Semester-Wise Course Breakdown
| SEMESTER | COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT STRUCTURE (L-T-P-C) | PREREQUISITES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | DES101 | Introduction to Design | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | DES102 | Design History and Theory | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | DES103 | Visual Communication | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | DES104 | Drawing and Sketching Fundamentals | 2-0-3-3 | None |
| I | MAT101 | Calculus for Designers | 4-0-0-4 | None |
| I | MAT102 | Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | PHY101 | Physics for Engineers | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | CHE101 | Chemistry for Designers | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | BIO101 | Introduction to Biology for Designers | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| I | ENG101 | English for Communication | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| II | DES201 | Design Thinking Methodology | 3-0-0-3 | DES101 |
| II | DES202 | User Research and Empathy Mapping | 3-0-0-3 | DES101 |
| II | DES203 | Color Theory and Application | 3-0-0-3 | DES103 |
| II | DES204 | Typography and Layout Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES103 |
| II | MAT201 | Differential Equations for Designers | 4-0-0-4 | MAT101 |
| II | PHY201 | Physics of Materials | 3-0-0-3 | PHY101 |
| II | CHE201 | Organic Chemistry for Designers | 3-0-0-3 | CHE101 |
| II | BIO201 | Biology and Design Applications | 3-0-0-3 | BIO101 |
| II | ENG201 | Technical Writing for Designers | 3-0-0-3 | ENG101 |
| III | DES301 | Prototyping Techniques | 3-0-3-4 | DES201, DES204 |
| III | DES302 | Human Factors and Ergonomics | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES202 |
| III | DES303 | Design for Accessibility | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES202 |
| III | DES304 | Interaction Design Fundamentals | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES202 |
| III | MAT301 | Probability and Statistics for Designers | 4-0-0-4 | MAT201 |
| III | PHY301 | Optics and Light in Design | 3-0-0-3 | PHY201 |
| III | CHE301 | Chemical Processes in Design | 3-0-0-3 | CHE201 |
| III | BIO301 | Biological Systems in Design | 3-0-0-3 | BIO201 |
| III | ENG301 | Design Presentation and Portfolio Development | 3-0-0-3 | ENG201 |
| IV | DES401 | Advanced UX Research Methods | 3-0-0-3 | DES302, DES304 |
| IV | DES402 | Service Design Thinking | 3-0-0-3 | DES302, DES303 |
| IV | DES403 | Sustainable Product Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES301, DES303 |
| IV | DES404 | Design Systems and Pattern Libraries | 3-0-0-3 | DES304, DES301 |
| IV | MAT401 | Numerical Methods for Designers | 4-0-0-4 | MAT301 |
| IV | PHY401 | Quantum Mechanics in Design | 3-0-0-3 | PHY301 |
| IV | CHE401 | Nanotechnology and Materials Science | 3-0-0-3 | CHE301 |
| IV | BIO401 | Biodesign and Bioengineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO301 |
| IV | ENG401 | Design Ethics and Responsibility | 3-0-0-3 | ENG301 |
| V | DES501 | Specialized Course in AI for Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES401, DES404 |
| V | DES502 | Design for Emerging Technologies | 3-0-0-3 | DES401, DES404 |
| V | DES503 | Design Leadership and Team Management | 3-0-0-3 | DES402, DES403 |
| V | DES504 | Global Design Trends and Case Studies | 3-0-0-3 | DES401, DES402 |
| V | MAT501 | Advanced Statistical Modeling for Designers | 4-0-0-4 | MAT401 |
| V | PHY501 | Applied Physics in Design Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | PHY401 |
| V | CHE501 | Advanced Chemical Processes in Design | 3-0-0-3 | CHE401 |
| V | BIO501 | Ethical Implications of Biodesign | 3-0-0-3 | BIO401 |
| V | ENG501 | Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills | 3-0-0-3 | ENG401 |
| VI | DES601 | Independent Project Development | 3-0-0-3 | DES501, DES502 |
| VI | DES602 | Design Innovation Lab | 3-0-3-4 | DES501, DES502 |
| VI | DES603 | Capstone Project Planning and Execution | 3-0-0-3 | DES501, DES502 |
| VI | DES604 | Professional Practice and Internship Preparation | 3-0-0-3 | DES501, DES502 |
| VI | MAT601 | Mathematical Modeling for Design Optimization | 4-0-0-4 | MAT501 |
| VI | PHY601 | Physics of Emerging Design Technologies | 3-0-0-3 | PHY501 |
| VI | CHE601 | Materials Innovation in Design | 3-0-0-3 | CHE501 |
| VI | BIO601 | Biological Design Systems | 3-0-0-3 | BIO501 |
| VI | ENG601 | Creative Leadership and Innovation Management | 3-0-0-3 | ENG501 |
| VII | DES701 | Advanced Capstone Project | 3-0-0-3 | DES601, DES602 |
| VII | DES702 | Research Methodology and Design Studies | 3-0-0-3 | DES601, DES602 |
| VII | DES703 | Design Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | DES601, DES602 |
| VII | DES704 | International Design Perspectives | 3-0-0-3 | DES601, DES602 |
| VII | MAT701 | Machine Learning Applications in Design | 4-0-0-4 | MAT601 |
| VII | PHY701 | Quantum Design and Computing | 3-0-0-3 | PHY601 |
| VII | CHE701 | Nanomaterials in Design Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | CHE601 |
| VII | BIO701 | Bio-Inspired Design and Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | BIO601 |
| VII | ENG701 | Creative Writing for Designers | 3-0-0-3 | ENG601 |
| VIII | DES801 | Final Year Thesis/Capstone Project | 3-0-0-3 | DES701, DES702 |
| VIII | DES802 | Industry Internship and Professional Experience | 3-0-0-3 | DES701, DES702 |
| VIII | DES803 | Design Portfolio Development and Presentation | 3-0-0-3 | DES701, DES702 |
| VIII | DES804 | Graduation Project Review and Evaluation | 3-0-0-3 | DES701, DES702 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
Departmental electives provide students with specialized knowledge and skills in niche areas of design. These courses are designed to be flexible and adaptive, allowing students to tailor their education based on personal interests and career aspirations.
Advanced UX Research Methods (DES501)
This course delves into advanced techniques for conducting user research, including ethnographic studies, cognitive walkthroughs, A/B testing, and heuristic evaluation. Students learn how to design comprehensive research plans, recruit participants effectively, and interpret complex data sets. The course emphasizes the integration of qualitative and quantitative methods to create robust insights that inform design decisions.
Service Design Thinking (DES502)
Service design is a holistic approach to designing services that are effective, efficient, and satisfying for both customers and employees. This course explores frameworks like the Service Design Canvas, Journey Mapping, and Co-Creation Techniques. Students work on real-world projects with service providers to redesign existing services or create new ones from scratch.
Sustainable Product Design (DES503)
This course focuses on creating products that minimize environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Topics include material selection, energy efficiency, circular economy principles, waste reduction strategies, and sustainable manufacturing processes. Students learn to evaluate the ecological footprint of their designs using tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Design Systems and Pattern Libraries (DES504)
Design systems ensure consistency and scalability in large-scale digital products. This course teaches students how to create, maintain, and implement design systems that support collaboration across teams. It covers component-based design, documentation practices, version control, and governance models for maintaining system integrity.
AI for Design (DES505)
This interdisciplinary course bridges artificial intelligence and design, exploring how machine learning algorithms can be applied to generate, analyze, and optimize design outcomes. Students learn about generative design, neural networks, natural language processing for creative tasks, and ethical considerations in AI-assisted design.
Design for Emerging Technologies (DES506)
This course examines how emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are transforming design practices. Students explore new interaction paradigms, prototyping techniques for immersive experiences, and the challenges of designing for smart environments.
Design Leadership and Team Management (DES507)
Effective leadership is crucial for success in the design industry. This course prepares students to lead cross-functional teams, manage design projects, and navigate organizational dynamics. It includes modules on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, and change management.
Global Design Trends and Case Studies (DES508)
This course provides an overview of global design trends and their cultural implications. Through case studies from different regions and industries, students gain insight into how local contexts influence design decisions and how global perspectives can enrich creative output.
Mathematical Modeling for Design Optimization (DES509)
This course applies mathematical modeling techniques to optimize design parameters. Students learn to use optimization algorithms, simulation tools, and computational methods to improve performance metrics in various design domains.
Physics of Emerging Design Technologies (DES510)
Exploring the intersection of physics and design innovation, this course investigates how advances in quantum mechanics, nanotechnology, and materials science are reshaping the possibilities for future products and services. Students engage with cutting-edge research and develop prototypes based on emerging physical principles.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
Our department strongly believes in project-based learning as a core pedagogical strategy. This approach allows students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world contexts, fostering deeper understanding and meaningful skill development.
Mini-Projects Structure
Mini-projects are assigned at the end of each semester to reinforce course content and encourage experimentation. These projects typically last 2-3 weeks and involve small teams working under faculty supervision. Projects may include designing a mobile app interface, creating a sustainable packaging solution, or conducting user research for an existing product.
Final-Year Thesis/Capstone Project
The capstone project is the culminating experience of the program. Students select a topic aligned with their specialization and work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a comprehensive solution or innovation. The project involves extensive research, iterative design cycles, stakeholder engagement, and public presentation. It serves as a portfolio piece that demonstrates students' ability to solve complex problems independently.
Project Selection Process
Students begin the capstone project by attending workshops on idea generation, feasibility analysis, and research planning. They then submit proposals outlining their project scope, methodology, timeline, and expected outcomes. Faculty mentors are matched based on expertise and availability to ensure optimal guidance throughout the process.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are evaluated using a rubric that assesses creativity, technical execution, problem-solving approach, teamwork, presentation quality, and adherence to ethical standards. Peer reviews and self-assessments are also incorporated to promote reflective learning and accountability.