Teaching product design to non-engineers: A review of experience, opportunities and problems

Despite many developments in software and related tools, improving effectiveness and efficiency in product design is a concern. One of the reasons for this fact might be the use of different languages, tools, etc. by designers coming from different disciplines. Accordingly, in order to cross-train our students in the Entrepreneurship Minor and the Masters in Manufacturing Management program at Penn State, we have been offering Engineering Design Principles: Quality and Manufacturing Management (QMM 492) as a course where non-engineering students get a chance to cross-train before they are put in product design teams with their engineering counterparts. This paper aims to provide a review of our experience with the course in addition to potential opportunities and problems.