Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design
Our Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design (BSID) is a STEM-designated program that prepares students to address complex societal challenges through the integration of design, research, and technology. Students learn to understand people, investigate opportunities, and create products, services, systems, and experiences that improve lives.
As part of one of the world's leading research universities, our students combine creative exploration with evidence-based design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on making. Through studio courses, research laboratories, and partnerships across Georgia Tech, they develop the knowledge and skills needed to shape the future relationship between people, technology, and society.
For a list of academic program requirements and electives, please refer to the BSID Course Catalog.
| Year 1 - Fall | Hours | Year 1 - Spring | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID 1011 Industrial Design Fundamentals I | 2 | ID 1012 Industrial Design Fundamentals II | 2 |
| ID 1101 Intro to Industrial Design I | 1 | ID 1102 Intro to Industrial Design II | 1 |
| ID 1401 Intro to Graphic Communication I | 1 | ID 1402 Intro to Graphic Communication II | 1 |
| ID 1418 Intro to Sketching & Modeling I | 1 | ID 1419 Intro to Sketching & Modeling II | 1 |
| ID 2202 History of Modern Industrial Design | 3 | CS 1315 Intro to Media Computation | 3 |
| ENGL 1101 English Composition I | 3 | ENGL 1102 English Composition II | 3 |
| MATH 1551 Differential Calculus | 2 | MATH 1552 Integral Calculus | 4 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | Wellness Requirement | 2 |
| 16 | 17 |
| Year 2 - Fall | Hours | Year 2 - Spring | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID 2023 Industrial Design Studio I | 3 | ID 2024 Industrial Design Studio I | 3 |
| ID 2101 Digital Design Methods | 3 | ID 2102 3D Modeling | 2 |
| ID 2325 User-Centered Design Methods | 3 | ID 2320 Human Factors in Design | 3 |
| MATH 1553 Linear Algebra | 2 | ID 2510 Intro to Smart Products | 3 |
| PHYS 2211 Physics I | 4 | ID 2242 Art History II | 3 |
| Lab Science Requirement | 4 | ||
| 15 | 18 |
| Year 3 - Fall | Hours | Year 3 - Spring | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID 30-- Junior Design Studio I | 4 | ID 30-- Junior Design Studio II | 4 |
| ID 3302 Materials & Processes II | 3 | ID 3301 Materials I | 3 |
| Industrial Design Elective | 3 | ID 4206 Culture of Objects | 3 |
| Industrial Design Elective | 3 | Industrial Design Elective | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 |
| Year 4 - Fall | Hours | Year 4 - Spring | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ID 40-- Senior Design Studio | 4 | ID 40-- Senior Design Studio | 4 |
| Industrial Design Elective | 3 | Industrial Design Elective | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 |
First Years, Sophomores: Building Foundations
Students begin by developing the creative, technical, and analytical foundations of industrial design. Studio courses introduce sketching, visualization, physical and digital modeling, design methods, and prototyping, while lectures explore the history, theory, and evolving role of industrial design.
As students progress, they deepen their design research skills, strengthen their digital and fabrication capabilities, and begin exploring emerging technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration. These experiences prepare them to address increasingly complex design challenges.
Junior Year: Exploring Areas of Impact through Research
Our program offers three distinct tracks.
Product Innovation and Manufacturing
Students explore how products move from research and concept to realization through advanced manufacturing, digital fabrication, and emerging technologies. The emphasis is on creating innovative products that balance human needs, technical feasibility, business viability, and sustainability.
Health and Well-Being
Students investigate how design can improve health, accessibility, and quality of life across diverse populations. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and human-centered research, they develop products, services, and systems that address challenges in healthcare, aging, disability, and community well-being.
Interactive Products and Intelligent Systems
Students examine how embedded electronics, sensing technologies, artificial intelligence, and connected systems shape interactions between people and products. They design intelligent experiences that are intuitive, responsible, and responsive to evolving human needs.
Senior Year: Integrating Knowledge Through Design
Senior students synthesize their creative, technical, and research skills through complex design projects developed in collaboration with industry, community organizations, and interdisciplinary partners. Working across products, services, systems, experiences, and emerging technologies, students address real-world challenges while refining their professional practice.
The curriculum culminates in a capstone project that demonstrates each student's ability to investigate opportunities, generate knowledge, collaborate across disciplines, and develop meaningful solutions with societal impact.
Learning Beyond the Studio
Learning extends beyond the studio through internships, cooperative education, study abroad experiences, undergraduate research, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaboration across Georgia Tech. These opportunities allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings while expanding their professional and global perspectives.
Minor
Co-Op & Internships
Study Abroad
Undergraduate Academic Support
Troy Whyte
Kevin Shankwiler