Study program Master Innovation

Here is the course of study in the overview as pdf.

1st semester qualification
The modules in the first part of the course are designed to enable students to analyze and understand the context in which change (in the sense of innovation) can take place and is perceived. This applies in particular to the modules Design Thinking, Brand Strategy and Project Management.
In addition, this semester lays the foundations for a critical examination of the concept of innovation in the context of design development for products and services. The modules Design Criticism and Design & Social Responsibility deal explicitly with the real consequences of innovations for the environment and focus on resource-saving solutions.
This first study phase can be recognized depending on previous qualifications. For this purpose, the course content of the BA is compared in writing with that of the first semester; you will be informed of the exact procedure after admission. The examination board will decide on recognition.

2nd semester: Methods & Processes
In the second study section, Methods & Processes, the curriculum focuses on innovation, founding and development. In addition to interdisciplinary fundamentals such as Social Skills, Business Organization and Strategic Design, the focus here is on the concrete implementation of Innovation Development as part of a strategic project. The Innovation Development and Research Methods modules are usually carried out in cooperation with the research project in order to achieve a well-founded examination of the problem.

3rd semester: Integration & Implementation
The third semester, Integration & Implementation, focuses in particular on the topic of innovation culture. In this section, the modules Experience & Interaction Design, Business Management and Innovation and Project Management sharpen the understanding of innovation culture in the corporate context.
The aim here is to translate theoretical tools and processes into entrepreneurial action. The aim is to review and implement innovation developments based on the criteria of economic efficiency and sustainability. The modules Innovation and Project Management and Business Management teach the application relevance in a company or institution. Depending on the topic of the cooperation project, modules are also synchronized appropriately here. In the Design & Sustainability module, methods for checking sustainability are taught and applied to practical examples.

4th semester: Thesis
The fourth semester is dedicated exclusively to the Master's thesis. The Master's thesis should demonstrate that students are able to independently analyze innovation projects in complex systems scientifically, present them in a coherent manner and derive and develop strategies and concepts from them. Furthermore, the thesis should demonstrate that students are able to assess and implement diverse influencing factors in their technological, ecological and aesthetic relevance according to scientific criteria.
A key factor of the final examination is the presentation of the Master's thesis, in which the acquired argumentation, presentation and communication skills are to be demonstrated. The strategic concept, the innovation approach, the decision-making processes and the milestones in the processing of the problem solution are the central assessment criteria of the thesis, including the presentation.