The Design Thinking Minor is designed flexibly to include courses that may already be in a student’s major. It culminates in a capstone course with a studio format in which students with multi-disciplinary backgrounds collaborate and learn by using the design thinking process to explore problems, prototype solutions, and convey their ideas through effective visual, written, and oral presentations.

Policies

In addition to the required coursework, three courses should be selected from either the list of electives under the Design in the Built Environment Track or the User Experience Design Track. Note that the three electives must all belong to one of these two groups.

Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.

For policies governing all undergraduate programs, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: DSTH

Minor Requirements

Total credits: 18

Required Courses

DSGN 101Introduction to Design Thinking3
DSGN 102Design in the Modern World (Mason Core)3
DSGN 401Design Thinking Capstone3
Total Credits9

Design in the Built Environment Track

Select 9 elective credits from the following:9
Introduction to Architecture (Mason Core)
Design of Cities (Mason Core)
Modern Architecture
Visual Thinking
Typography (Mason Core)
Creative Processes
Art as Social Action
Graphic Design Methods and Principles
Visual Communication Theories
Experiential Design History
Introduction to Agent-based Modeling and Simulation
Cartographic Design
Human Dimensions of the Environment
Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration
Total Credits9

User Experience Design Track

Select 9 elective credits from the following:9
Introduction to Web Design
Mobile App Design
User Experience Design
Package Design
Problem Solving and Leadership in STEAM
Introduction to Learning Technologies
Web Accessibility and Design
Professional and Technical Writing
Peer Tutoring in Writing across the Disciplines
Introduction to Game Design (Mason Core)
Systems Analysis and Design
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Experiential Entrepreneurship
Human Factors Psychology
Software Usability Analysis and Design
Human Computer Interaction
Total Credits9