Main Content
Syllabus
ENGR 804
Engineering Product Innovation (3 credits): Develop competencies for leading new product/process development or participating in corporate spin-outs using entrepreneurial skills within a corporation.
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Accomodating Disabilities | Additional Policies
Course Overview
Welcome to Engineering 804: Engineering Product Innovation. In this course, you will be introduced to a number of considerations relating to research, theory, application, and practice in product innovation with the goal of developing your awareness of fundamental issues. In particular, this course will focus on relevant leadership and organizational issues related to product innovation in the corporate setting. While this course is designed with engineering leaders in mind, you do not need to be an engineer to enroll in or benefit from it.
This course is designed to raise awareness of key issues in product innovation and innovation leadership, including the importance of internal/organizational and external/market contexts; the major types of innovation, when to use them, and what impact they have within and beyond the organization; the fundamentals of innovating a product, including market research and design; overcoming barriers to innovation; and leading innovation through failure.
Course Objectives
The overall objective for this course is to grow your understanding of leadership and innovation in technical contexts within the global engineering business environment.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to
- Distinguish among the major types of product innovation;
- Recognize the contextual factors that may make one type of innovation more appropriate than another in a given application;
- Describe the work an organization would undertake during a product innovation initiative, including market research, business case development, opportunity assessment and product launch;
- Identify common barriers to product innovation and strategies to overcome them;
- Describe “failure” in the context of product innovation and how to provide effective leadership in the case of a failure;
- Demonstrate the ability to apply course concepts in the evaluation of organizational case studies and product innovation simulations; and
- Produce a product innovation proposal with a team of classmates.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and search for your instructor's last name.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
| Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 94.0 to 100.0 |
| A- | 90.0 to 93.9 |
| B+ | 87.0 to 89.9 |
| B | 84.0 to 86.9 |
| B- | 80.0 to 83.9 |
| C+ | 77.0 to 79.9 |
| C | 70.0 to 76.9 |
| D | 60.0 to 69.9 |
| F | below 60.0 |
Late assignments will be penalized. An assignment is considered late if not received by the date and time specified, which have times listed in Eastern Time. Late assignments will be accepted up to 4 days after the specified due date/time (ET). Graded assignments, with the exception of Discussion Forum posts, that are turned in late will receive a 20% automatic grade reduction for each 24 hour period that it is late (e.g. on the first day it is late, an earned 90% will go to 72%). The fifth day results in a zero. Discussion Forum posts/responses may never be turned in late.
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Assignments
The course assignments are assigned weekly throughout this course and may require extra reading and/or research in addition to the course content provided to you. Be sure to complete the assignments as you come upon them, rather than waiting until the end. It's important to begin your lessons early in the week (Monday) in order to support dialog in the discussion forums. Be sure to check back often throughout the week to add comments and read your classmates' posts throughout the week.
- All assignments must be submitted no later than their respective Due Date/Time in the Course Schedule. No exceptions. Computer problems are not an acceptable excuse. This course requires work and discipline. It is important to allow sufficient time to complete all assignments on time; do not wait until the last minute to complete the assignments.
- You should ask for help when you need it. If you have questions, concerns or need clarifications about the course syllabus, material, assignments, etc., it is important that you communicate them to your instructor immediately.
| Assignment (Total #) | Points per Assignment | Total |
|---|---|---|
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Reading Quizzes (6)
|
16–20 pts each | 100 |
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Journal Entries (19)
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6–8 pts each | 150 |
| Discussions (15) | 10 points each | 150 |
| Assignments (11) | 20 points each | 220 |
| Simulation of Product Innovation | 100 | 100 |
| Product Dissection | 50 | 50 |
| Individual Product Innovation | 110 | 110 |
| Team Product Innovation | 120 | 120 |
| Total | 1,000 |
**All activities are due by 11:59 PM (ET), on the Sunday of the week they are assigned unless otherwise noted.
Following are details and grading procedures of each type of assignment.
Reading Quizzes (100 Points Possible)
Lessons which require reading beyond the course commentary include a short reading quiz. You may review the reading quiz before you begin the required reading.
Journal Entries (150 Points Possible)
Throughout each lesson there will be a journal entry to assist in your comprehension of key course concepts. Use the journal feature associated in canvas to reflect on the questions in the content. Your grade will be based on your demonstration of an understanding of the course concepts as well as your honest reflection on the journal prompt. Your responses do not have to be especially long. Being concise with your thoughts, especially in business writing, is a skill. In most cases, 2–3 thoughtful paragraphs will be enough; however, if you only write 1–2 sentences for each question, you will not earn full credit. Journal entries should demonstrate that you have internalized and reflected on the relevant lessons. In your response, please do not just write what you think…elaborate and explain how and/or why you have arrived to that way of thinking. Typically, there is no “right or wrong” answer for the journal responses, but you will be evaluated on your display of critical thinking with respect to the prompts.
Discussions (150 Points Possible)
Most lessons require two discussion forum posts and two replies to your classmates' posts. Your initial post reflecting on the question is due by Thursday at 11:59 pm ET of each week, with two responses to your peers' posts due by Sunday of each week at 11:59 pm ET. Your replies should be thoughtful and constructive; more than just, “Good point!” When appropriate, discussion forums may offer an opportunity for students to offer very different contributions based on the variety of educational and professional backgrounds represented in the class.
Your critical thinking about the prompt should be evident. If you have done research to write the post and/or respond to a classmate, please properly cite the source using APA guidelines. Many of these discussion posts require that you do some research in advance of writing the initial post, creating a “flipped classroom” environment. Any research you collect needs proper citation. Please review the Penn State Libraries' APA Quick Citation Guide.
Assignments (220 points possible)
Many of the lessons include an assignment. Written submissions will be a 1–2 page write-up based on a prompt provided at the end of the lesson. In some cases, your submission will be in the form of a video presentation and/or an evaluation of other students' presentations. Lesson assignments will be graded based on completeness, timeliness of submission, and demonstrated mastery of the lesson content.
Again, as mentioned above, you will have done research to write the assignment, it is required that you properly cite the source using APA guidelines. Any research you collect needs proper citation. Per APA Guidelines, you must use in-text citations as well as a References Cited list. Please review the Penn State Libraries' APA Quick Citation Guide.
Simulation of Product Innovation (100 Points Possible)
Toward the end of the course you will be assigned to a group to work with a team of students to propose a plan for innovating a hypothetical product within a prescribed hypothetical context. Your team will submit a short (3–5 page) proposal explaining how you would innovate the product and why you proposed that particular approach. After submitting the innovation plan, teams will have the opportunity to see how other students approached the same scenario.
Product Dissection Activity (50 Points Possible)
Toward the end of the course you will be required to participate in a virtual product dissection activity. Once you have completed the activity, you and your teammates will submit a short (3–5 page) write-up of your experience with the virtual product dissection and how you feel it had an effect on your approach to your team's creativity and product development of your team's product innovation proposal. This submission must display application of the course concepts in the write-up.
Individual Product Innovation Proposal (110 Points Possible)
Each student in the class will submit a proposal for a product innovation. This submission will include both a 3–5 page written summary of the proposal as well as a short (maximum 5 minute) video presentation detailing the product innovation concept. The focus of this individual product innovation proposal will be the type of innovation proposed and the appropriateness of that type of innovation for its relevant market context. Students will evaluate and rank each others' proposals and the highest ranking proposal(s) will be assigned a team of students to further develop the concept as part of the Team Product Innovation Proposal project.
Team Product Innovation Proposal (120 Points Possible)
The final project for this course is the submission of a five (5) minute video presentation in which assigned teams of students detail a proposal for a product innovation. This final project also includes the submission of a ten (10) page written document that details relevant factors including related market and organizational factors, preliminary market research, a summary of the target market and value proposition, and a preliminary business case. Submissions will be evaluated based on the quality of students' practical application of course concepts and the professionalism and timeliness of the submissions.
Additional Course Grading Policies
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies. If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
Lesson 1: Introduction to Engineering Product Innovation
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Lesson 2: Product Innovation in Context—Organizational and Market Considerations
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Lesson 3: Major Approaches to Innovation
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Lesson 4: What to Innovate, Why and How
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Lesson 5: Market Research, Analysis, and Product Testing
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Lesson 6: Intellectual Property (IP) Considerations
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Lesson 7: Submission and Peer Evaluation of Semester Product Innovation Pitches
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Lesson 8: Group Work on the Team Product Innovation Proposal
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Lesson 9: Product Innovation Measures and Metrics
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Lesson 10: Launching Innovative New Products
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Lesson 11: Overcoming Common Barriers in Product Innovation
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Lesson 12: Leading Innovation Through Failure
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Lesson 13: Product Dissection Ideation
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Lesson 14: Simulation in Product Innovation
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Lesson 15: Semester Project Submissions and Course Reflections
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
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- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Military
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.
Report Bias
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Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you directly in a timely manner of any changes.