Course of Study
Known for more than its longstanding influence in automotive design, our program helps prepare you for a career in all modes of transportation.
In addition to traditional elements of styling, comfort, safety and usability, our curriculum emphasizes vital topics such as sustainable mobility, the implications of brand, and product life cycle. Exploring the balance between form and function, Transportation Design students develop the ability to create vehicle concepts with distinct personality, improved function and broad social impact. Our program can help you gain fluency in drawing and in physical and digital modeling, as well as develop an understanding of vehicle architecture, materials, process and aerodynamics.
We offer three highly focused, advised areas of concentration: Vehicle Exteriors, Vehicle Interiors (including user interface and user experience) and Alternative Transportation (including motorcycle, marine, aircraft, personal mobility and public transit). No matter what type of transportation draws your passion, we can help prepare you for a highly rewarding career making an impact in that field.
Curriculum is subject to change.
For students entering Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024
| TERM 1 | |
| Writing Studio OR Writing Studio: Intensive | 3 |
| History of Automobile Design | 3 |
| Visual 1 | 3 |
| Prototype Process 1 | 3 |
| Design 1 | 3 |
| TERM 2 | |
| Art History Course | 3 |
| Vehicle Technology | 3 |
| Visual 2 | 3 |
| Model 2 | 3 |
| Design 2 | 3 |
| TERM 3 | |
| Vehicle Architecture | 3 |
| Art of Research | 3 |
| 3rd Term Review | 0 |
| Design 3 Exterior | 3 |
| Design 3 Interior | 3 |
| Model 3 | 2 |
| Visual 3 | 2 |
| TERM 4 | |
| Human Factors & Design Psychology | 3 |
| Insights for Transportation Design | 3 |
| Design 4 Exterior | 3 |
| Design 4 Interior | 3 |
| Model 4 | 3 |
| Visual 4 | 3 |
| TERM 5 | |
| 5th Term Review | 0 |
| Design 5 Exterior OR Design 5 Interior | 3 |
| Model 5 | 3 |
| Visual 5 | 3 |
| Portfolio and Presentation | 3 |
| TERM 6 | |
| Automotive Engineering | 3 |
| Design 6 | 3 |
| Model 6 | 3 |
| Visual 6 | 3 |
| TERM 7 | |
| Automotive Industry | 3 |
| 7th Term Review | 0 |
| Design 7 | 3 |
| Model 7 | 1 |
| Visual 7 | 3 |
| TERM 8 | |
| Design Professional | 3 |
| Design 8 | 3 |
| Model 8 | 1 |
| Visual 8 | 1 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Humanities and Sciences electives: | |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 |
| Business and Professional Practice | 3 |
| Any of the above | 3 |
| Studio Electives | 12 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total H&S units | 45 |
| Total Studio units | 87 |
| Total Required Units | 132 |
If you can imagine it, we can find a way to make it.
Stewart ReedChair, Transportation Design