Two General Objectives:

A. To produce students who can synthesize engineering, social science, and design professions approaches in the creation of innovative solutions to design challenges of the twenty-first century. 

B. To develop a replicable program model of international renown that provides a highly technical education with a solid understanding of technology and design in societies and across the world.

Two Supporting Objectives:

A. Educate students to:

1. Work in multidisciplinary teams and translate across different design cultures of engineering design, the design professions (such as industrial design), and social science/policy design research.
2. Understand design as a multidisciplinary enterprise that includes problem analysis, problem solving, design research, articulating alternatives, exploring social problems that have significant technical content, and developing design solutions that take into account the values statement.

B. Place graduates in positions such that they

1. Provide leadership in solving “complex” design problems.
2. Interface with different design cultures.
3. Spread the influence of our vision and perspective in industry,government, and academia.
4. Start up new venues or work in firms engaged in design.