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Quick Guide
Overview
The MDes program at UC Berkeley is a studio-based, on campus program. Over three semesters (fall, spring, and a second fall), you will complete a total of eight required core courses, a lecture/colloquium course, and three electives to meet a minimum of 38 units before graduating in December.
In the summer between the first and second years of the program, you are expected to engage in an experience, such as an internship, international design study, or community service, outside of the classroom and apply what you have learned in the studio in a broader context. This professional development requirement is called Design@Large.
Required Courses
- DES INV 200: Design Frameworks (3 units)
- DES INV 201: Debates in Design (3 units)*
- DES INV 202: Technology Design Foundations (4 units)
- DES INV 290: Advanced Special Topics in Design Innovation
Studio Foundations (3 units) (MDes 2023 cohort requirement) - DES INV 211: Designing Emerging Technologies I (5 units)
- DES INV 212: Designing Emerging Technologies II (3 units) (FA22 Cohort requirement)
- DES INV 213: Design Studio (5 units)
- DES INV 219: Capstone Portfolio (2 units)
*students are required to take this course twice; once during the fall semester in year one, and again during the fall semester of year two.
Lecture/Colloquium
The MDes requires students to take a one 1-unit lecture or colloquium series about technology & entrepreneurship, social practice, or design from a list of approved options (e.g. ENG 283: A. Richard Newton Lecture Series). Please consult with an MDes advisor for an up-to-date list of options.
Elective Courses
The MDes requires three electives: one technical elective, and at least one entrepreneurship or social practice elective from the approved lists of courses, shown below. The third elective may be either an additional elective from the approved list (technical, social practice, or entrepreneurship) or any 3 or 4 unit upper division or graduate level course offered at UC Berkeley, subject to enrollment availability.
See approved electives here.
Sample Student Program (MDes 2024 cohort)
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Sample Student Program (MDes 2023 cohort)
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Course Descriptions
- IND ENG 295Newton Lecture Series1 Unit
- DES INV 219Capstone Portfolio2 Units
- DES INV 213Design Studio5 Units
- DES INV 212Designing Emerging Technologies II3 Units
- DES INV 211Designing Emerging Technologies I5 Units
- DES INV 210Studio Foundations3 Units
- DES INV 202Technology Design Foundations4 Units
- DES INV 201Debates In Design3 Units
- DES INV 200Design Frameworks3 Units