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Students following the course as an elective are required to follow the SEPAM linkage programme modules 1-6 before participating in the course. The SEPAM linkage programme can be found online on Blackboard.

The course introduces design thinking in socio-technical systems as the core orientation of the entire SEPAM master. Students learn about designing complex technological systems in multi-actor environments. It follows a storyline from understanding socio-technical systems towards creating artefacts to realize change in socio-technical systems. Different perspectives on systems design are discussed to provide students with a background for working with designers from different disciplines. Thereby, the course lays the foundation for further design-oriented courses. Typical questions the module will address are:
- How to explore a problem situation?
- How to oversee a design challenge?
- How to formulate a design task?
- What is a suitable design approach for specific design challenges?

After completion of the course, the student is able to
- use and differentiate discuss concepts and terminology related to the design in socio-technical systems
- analyze a problem situation in complex, technological, large-scale systems in multi-actor environments
- use and combine methods and tools for requirements analysis and conceptual design
- use and compare methods and tools that facilitate systems design and engineering
- apply and compare methods and tools related to decision, project and risk management
- determine a suitable design approach for specific socio-technical design challenges
- use and combine methods and tools for systems analysis and modelling to address complexity and uncertainty in design processes

Formal lectures, exercises

The main book of the course is:

Faulconbridge, R. I. & Ryan, M. J., Systems Engineering Practice, Argos Press, 2014

The book is available for purchase from CURIUS. The concepts and topics discussed in the course will be reinforced by regular reading of papers, articles and book chapters as appropriate. These reading materials will be available on Blackboard.

The overall grade for this course consists of 2 sub grades:
1) Exam: The exam will check on the theoretical knowledge as well as on the capability to apply and reflect on the taught theory. The exam contributes to 70% of the final grade.
2) Exercises: During the exercises, theory from the lectures will be applied. The exercises contribute to 30% of the final grade.

Both parts must be completed with a passing grade (at least 5.75) in order to pass the course.