PhD Course Structure
Below is an overview of the minimum-credits requirement based on the degree of entry:
| Degree | Credits Requirement | ||
| Postgraduate | Design-related degrees | MDes, MFA, MArch, MURP, PG Diploma of NID and equivalent | min 20 credits |
| All other degrees * | PhD Committee may ask to do additional design courses, up to a maximum of 44 credits | ||
| Undergraduate | Design-related degrees | BDes, BFA, BArch, UG Diploma of NID and equivalent | min 44 credits |
| All other degrees * | PhD Committee may ask to do additional design courses, up to a maximum of 56 credits | ||
* One needs to reach out to the PhD supervisor in such a case
- In the first year, all PhD scholars are required to take up mandatory courses on 'Design Research Methodologies'.
- The PhD scholars who are required to take up electives must choose the courses in consultation with their respective supervisors.
- In the first and the second semester, a PhD scholar is required to undertake one minor project each. This project will have a research orientation or a combination of design and research. It is strongly encouraged that the output of the minor project is published as a paper in a peer-reviewed conference or a journal.
Below is an overview of the courses and the credits for the 1st year PhD students:
| Year 1 | Credits | |
| DE 803 | Quantitative Design Research Methods | 6 |
| DE 804 | Qualitative Design Research Methods | 6 |
| DE 801 | Mini Project I | 4 |
| DE 802 | Mini Project II | 4 |
| DE 899 * | Communication Skills | Non-Credit |
| TA 101 * | Teaching Assistant Skill Enhancement & Training | Non-Credit |
| GC 101 ** | Gender in the Workplace | Non-Credit |
| Total Minimum Credits (for postgraduate entry) | 20 | |
| Electives from any department (for undergraduate entry) | 24 | |
| Total Minimum Credits (for undergraduate entry) | 44 | |
* The award of the degree is subject to completing these courses. DE 899 is required to be cleared within the first two semesters. For exemption from doing DE 899, please refer to the IITB PhD Rules.
** The award of the degree is subject to completing the institute course GC 101, Gender in the Workplace. Students are required to complete the course in their first semester as per the IITB PhD Rules.
On successfully completing the course credit requirements, the PhD scholar is granted the confirmation of PhD registration.