MPD Program Structure

The 45-credit hour Master of Science in Product Development (MPD) Curriculum involves 13 three-credit courses and a six-credit capstone thesis.  The UDM MPD program is a two calendar year (six semester) experience beginning with an intensive full-time two week launch experience. 

 MPD students have the option of earning Six Sigma Greenbelt and Blackbelt Certification as part of the program.  To learn more about our Six Sigma Program, which is offered in partnership with the International Quality Federation, click here.

Students must complete the program's courses in a defined sequence with the other members of their class.  The remainder of the program requires two courses per semester and a required capstone thesis.

The program is designed to support students' development of the following competencies:

• contribution to and leadership of product development/manufacturing teams
• structured systems thinking and design
• in-depth understanding and application of the most current and advanced tools for design, analysis, manufacturing and management
• transformation of customer/market requirements into competitive products and functions 

To develop these competencies, students complete the following five program components:

1. Launch Experience: This two-week, full-time experience occurs during January as the student's first program activity.  It introduces students to the systems concepts through their application to a real design project and other experiences specifically directed toward the development of team building and creativity skills.  Completion of this initial experience in its entirety is a requirement of the program.

2. Core Courses (3):  Three required core courses explore systems thinking, philosophy and strategies related to product design, analysis, manufacturing and management:

• Systems Architecture
• Systems Engineering
• Systems and Project Management

3.  Fundamental Courses (6):  Six required courses develop a broad fundamental knowledge of concepts, methods and tools related to product and manufacturing systems, organizations, marketing and finance.

• Engineering Risk-Benefit Analysis
• Systems Optimization
• Organizational Processes
• Finance and Managerial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Operations Management

4.  Elective Courses (4):  Students take four electives to broaden their understanding of areas of special interest and utility to them and their companies.  Elective course offerings are changed as needed to better reflect industry needs.  Past and present elective offerings include:

• Product Planning and Development
• Entrepreneruship and E-Commerce
• Business Turnaround Management
• Design for X
• Mechatronics
• 6 Sigma Greenbelt
• 6 Sigma Blackbelt

5.  Capstone Thesis Project: All students complete a capstone project describing a real initiative in one or more core aspects of product development.  This provides an integrative experience whereby students can both apply their knowledge, skill, attitudes and behaviors essential to competent leadership in product development.  

Case Studies/Design Projects:

In order to amplify the complex issues of systems design and assure student understanding of the application of theory, many of the courses involve use of hands-on case studies and projects.  These case studies and projects are heavily focused on automotive applications.

Guest Lecturers:

Guest lecturers from the participating companies or elsewhere are also employed to bring leaders in the practice and theory of product development/manufacturing together with students.  Click here to see a  list of recent and planned guest speakers.

Co-Instructors from Industry:

Several MPD courses benefit by having top industry experts working with our expert full-time faculty to team-teach them.  This allows the program to integrate both theory and practice into the classroom. 

Program Admission: 

The UDM/MPD program requires the support of the applicant's supervisor.  Program applicants are required to meet UDM's normal graduate admission standards, plus have at least five years of engineering work experience (three years if the applicant possesses a Masters Degree).  Previous graduate studies are highly desirable.  The applicant's supervisor should be prepared to accommodate the study and learning demands placed on their employees in this rigorous academic program as well as participate in a program orientation.

Further information on admission and application materials

Schedule of class meetings:

For the convenience of students, classes are offered in the late afternoon - early evening time period (4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.).  Students must receive release time during the two-week launch experience.

All lectures are videotaped.  This allows students with unavoidable work conflicts to keep abreast of ongoing course materials.