Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Design+

The Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Design+ (BASc(Design+)) is an interdisciplinary program aimed at nurturing highly effective, adaptive, and creative graduates. These individuals will be capable of leading across multiple disciplinary subjects and will become known globally for their distinctive qualities of creativity, analytical ability, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving.

Curriculum Structure

The BASc(Design+) curriculum comprises a 96-credit Design+ Major that seeks to develop interdisciplinary skills and knowledge in design thinking and innovative interdisciplinary practices. This is combined with a second major (or two minors) in a disciplinary subject, allowing students to explore specific interdisciplinary subjects and methods.

Components of the Curriculum

• Design+ Major:
  • Ideas (6 credits)
  • Representation (6 credits)
  • Contemporary issues in design (6 credits)
  • Material science and engineering (6 credits)
  • Data for interdisciplinary innovation (6 credits)
  • Research for innovation (6 credits)
  • Law, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship (6 credits)
  • Interdisciplinary processes and applications (6 credits)
  • Design+ Studio 1 – Ideation (6 credits)
  • Design+ Studio 2 – Rationale (6 credits)
  • Design+ Studio 3 – Process (12 credits)
  • Design+ Studio 4 – Expertise (12 credits)
  • Design+ Studio 5 – Capstone (12 credits)
  • Sub-total: 96 credits
• BASc Core Courses:
  • Leadership beyond borders (6 credits)
  • Foundations of human knowledge (6 credits)
  • Basic programming and computer software skills (6 credits)
  • Sub-total: 18 credits
• Electives:
  • A second major or two minors (72-84 credits)
  • Free electives (6-18 credits)
  • Sub-total: 90 credits
• University requirements:
  • Common Core (24 credits)
  • Languages (12 credits)
  • Sub-total: 36 credits
• Grand Total: 240 credits

Career Prospects

The central pedagogical features of the program are the abilities to balance analytical forward-thinking approaches to problem-solving with solution-first imagination-based problem-solving. Graduates will be able to assemble and assimilate knowledge from across disciplines and synthesize it into an actionable plan. They will exit the program with a comprehensive understanding of design thinking methods and processes, and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary project teams to innovate and achieve original and commercially, environmentally, and socially relevant solutions to complex problems.

Postgraduate Studies

Internationally, students may continue their interdisciplinary design studies within graduate programs such as those offered at the Royal College of Art, MIT Media Lab, Aalto University, and Stanford University. Professional programs such as Architecture are available within schools such as the Graduate School of Design at Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia universities. Locally, students will be able to continue their studies within HKU at the graduate level.