Academic Offerings: Courses, Degree Programs, and Certificate Programs
Design Innovation Courses (DES INV)
The Jacobs Institute offers nearly 20 of our own Design Innovation courses (DES INV) at undergraduate and graduate levels. DES INV courses are taught alongside a growing list of courses from supported departments and outside majors that align with design education.
Graduate Level: The Berkeley Master of Design (MDes)
MDes is a professional graduate program in design for emerging technologies that emphasizes critical design and social practice to address the new realities of emerging technologies in the 21st century. The program prepares students for a design career by connecting technical rigor, design theory and social practice, set over three semesters.
Berkeley Certificate in Design Innovation (BCDI)
At the undergraduate level, many of our DES INV courses satisfy the requirements needed to fulfill the Berkeley Certificate in Design Innovation (BCDI), a program that has seen yearly growth with numbers comparable to many of campus’ most popular minors.
The Maker Launchpad Summer Program
The Maker Launchpad Summer Program is a six-week comprehensive prototyping program, intended to introduce students—regardless of their background in engineering— to design methodologies and the required prototyping skills to bring projects to reality. This program is open to all who would like to learn (high school diploma required), and invites current and non-current students alike.
In addition to BCDI, many of our courses fulfill requirements for design and technology-focused certificate programs in affiliated departments.
Grant Programs
Jacobs Innovation Catalysts Grant Program
Awarded twice a year, the Innovation Catalysts grant supports students who wish to further the development of an ongoing project, or those looking to get a great idea launched. Grants are awarded at two levels—the Ignite Grant, intended for students continuing work and research on already-initiated projects; and the Spark Grant, intended for students at the early stage of developing an idea and prototype.
Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars Program
A 10-week summer research program open to all undergraduates in the College of Engineering or with relevant experience in design innovation. The Scholars actively contribute to the growing design ecosystem at UC Berkeley while practicing critical design skills using our Maker Pass program.