Principles of Design

This course is designed to introduce students from all disciplines to theconcepts of rational design. It is open to first-year students and sophomores. In the first part of the course students will learn by hands-on experience the importance of giving attention at the design stage to consideration of accessibility, repair, replacement, choice of materials, recycling, safety, etc. Students will develop the ability to make observations and record them in suitable form for further analysis of the design process. From this, concepts of 'good' design will be developed, and students will be introduced to the formal design axioms and principles.This will lead to the second part of the course which will consist of a comprehensive, realistic design problem. Creativity, intuition and cultivation of engineering 'common sense' will be fostered within the framework of design principles and axioms. The course will constitute a direct introduction to the disciplines in their interdisciplinary context.

Prerequisite: EID 101

Open to all students.

Credits: 3.00

Course Code: EID 103

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.