Minor Smart Innovation (Venlo)

Introduction

Students will look into innovation and research from a technical as well as a conceptual and design perspective. Students from different disciplines together will focus on information gathering/processing and product design, and learn how data can be gathered by different means, be communicated, interpreted, combined, processed and transformed into information understandable for others. Activities are based on carrying out research in innovative areas leading to a prototype showing applicability. Usability improvement is done by analyzing user behaviour on prototyping events.

Summary

This programme gives students an opportunity to experience innovative research. The purpose of the programme is to gain a multidisciplinary view of innovation and how it is applied to research as well as thourough understanding and knowledge about how to carry out research. Students learn how to design and build prototypes in multidisciplinary teams by applying research methods and also carry out an individual research.

Goals

You understand what applied research and innovation is, you can partipate in an applied research project. You have basic knowledge about how to plan, organize and carry out research as well as how to apply innovative techniques. More specific, you:

• Are able to do innovative applied research;
• Know what innovation is and show how to design and build innovative prototypes;
• Are able to do research through design in which the user is central;
• Work as a team member in a project group and apply different technologies and methods as mentioned above, to realize a prototype of an innovative concept.

Content of the programme

The total work load for this minor 30 European Credits (EC), duration is 1 semester. The minor consists of the following modules:

Admission requirements

For this exchange programme we have the following admission requirements:

• English level: equivalent to IELTS 6.0;
• The student’s foundation year should be successfully rounded off.
• Students must have affinity with IT

Fontys way of studying

At Fontys you will study in various ways. There are tutorials and lectures in classrooms with about 25 other students. In these sessions you will work in small groups or independently and depending on course choices, within a project team on your assignments. The campus offers a wide array of facilities to study alone or with a group. Here at Fontys, we believe that collaborative learning stimulates a hands on, independent way of working. At Fontys we believe in interaction. We like it when you ask questions during lectures and also outside lectures we are there for you.

Recognition

How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?

Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.

Scholarschips

Fontys does not provide scholarships for its exchange students

Studycoach

If you encounter problems regarding a certain subject, you can either speak to your lecturer or contact your exchange coordinator.