The GIX Prototyping Labs are fully integrated into the MS in Technology Innovation, starting from day one. All students learn advanced prototyping and hardware development skills as part of their experience.
View the LabsThe University of Washington’s Master of Science in Technology Innovation program offers an 18-month curriculum in emerging technologies, user-centered design, and business fundamentals.
Integrated Prototyping Labs
Full-time, STEM-Designated Program
This 18-month program, which includes 15 months of intensive course work and a three-month break for internships, offers international students with eligibility to gain three years of work experience in the United States.
Multiple Technology Tracks
Choose one of two tracks that focus in different areas of emerging technologies:
- Connected Devices: Develop custom smart devices to bring technology solutions to a wide range of problems.
- Robotics: Learn to deploy robotic solutions that must navigate dynamic, human-occupied spaces and interact with the world around them.
Project-Based Learning
Students learn to work on interdisciplinary and multicultural project teams, improving their leadership, collaboration, communication, planning, and financial skills.
View the ProjectsSummer Opportunities
The summer break is an excellent opportunity for students to explore trends in technology in the real world. Many students pursue internships at leading technology companies, participate in academic research projects, or dive deeper into global technology topics in our tech-focused Global Technology Experiences.
Global Tech ExperiencesCurriculum Details
The Master of Science in Technology Innovation curriculum has been custom-developed with feedback from leading global technology companies to give students the most in-demand skills for a wide range of technology careers.
Courses are taught by expert faculty from the UW's College of Engineering and Foster School of Business; all classes are delivered at the Global Innovation Exchange in Bellevue, Washington.
Courses
Technology Foundations
Credits: 3
This course serves as a review of intermediate level objected oriented programming concepts in Python and will also focus on using Python to perform data analysis, visualization, and manipulation. Note: Students who have completely met the MSTI prerequisites may petition to replace this class with an elective.
Introduction to Sensors and Circuits
Credits: 3
Students develop the background and techniques needed to connect digital systems to the physical world.
Fabrication & Physical Prototyping
Credits: 3
Students learn the concepts and skills required to design, prototype and fabricate physical artifacts, including 2-D and 3-D CAD modeling, high-fidelity prototyping (laser cutting, CNC milling, 3-D printing) and low-fidelity prototyping (paper, foam, media). Industry standards for manufacturing are also covered.
Design Thinking Studio
Credits: 3
Working in teams, students learn and apply the entire user-centered design process to real-world problem, executing methods to design, prototype and evaluate ideas for innovative solutions in a team project.
Courses
Robotics Lab 1 (Robotics Track)
Credits:4
This is the required winter quarter Lab 1 course for the Robotics track. Students learn and apply fundamental principles for robotics applications including basic manipulation and motion planning.
Hardware/Software Lab 1 (Connected Devices track)
Credits: 4
This is the required winter quarter Lab 1 course for the Connected Devices track. Students execute a series of projects to integrate software and hardware concepts learned in the Prepare phase of the program.
Managing Data and Signal Processing
Credits: 3
Students learn the basics of digital signal processing and machine learning, as well as simple methods for storing, managing and retrieving data in the cloud.
Programming for Digital and Physical User Interfaces
Credits: 4
Students build fundamental programming skills, with a focus on sensor-based signals (including audio and images) and useful tools for prototyping software and hardware user interfaces.
History & Future of Technology
Credits: 2
Students gain an understanding and appreciation of past trends in hardware and software technology, in order to think about future technology trends and develop prototypes for futuristic ideas.
Courses
Hardware/Software Lab 2 (Connected Devices track)
Credits: 4
This the required spring quarter Lab course for the Connected Devices track. Students continue prototyping hardware/software systems, with the added complexity of signal processing, networking, cloud interfaces and web-based user interfaces.
Robotics Lab 2 (Robotics track)
Credits: 4
This is the required spring quarter Lab course for the Robotics track. Students build on foundational knowledge from Lab 1: Robotics to continue to learn increasingly complex principles for robotics application including mobility and navigation.
Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Credits: 3
Students explore the key issues and strategies involved in evaluating new market opportunities and starting a new venture including identifying new venture opportunities, developing and testing market strategies, evaluating test market performance, and evaluating business plans.
Students learn the basics of finance and accounting for start-up businesses, including reading and understanding a profit-and-loss statement, managing cash flow and margins, and making investments in high-growth businesses.
Fundamentals of Technology Strategy
Credits: 2
Students are introduced to the core concepts of business level strategy with a particular emphasis on establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage through strategy formulation and implementation.
User Research & Evaluation Studio
Credits: 3
This project-based course focuses on the user research components of the design process. Students learn methods to engage stakeholders and elicit their needs to provide insight for defining requirements for ethically grounded designs. It also covers aspects of evaluation of technology designs with potential users, including usability and user experience evaluation techniques.
Courses
Internship/CPT (optional)
Credits: 5-10
Students may choose to pursue a part or full time internship to broaden and apply their skills in a real-world industry internship. Additional tuition and fees may apply to earn internship credit.
Study Abroad (optional)
Credits: 0-5
Students may choose to pursue a study abroad experience either through the Global Innovation Exchange’s custom programs, or University of Washington Study Abroad.
Courses
Launch Project Planning
Credits: 1
This course is for exploration and planning of Launch Project options, and meet industry sponsors who will present information on real-world industry problems and challenges. Students select which problems they would like to propose solutions for are placed in project teams.
Planning and Managing Hardware/Software Development
Credits: 2
Students gain experience in creating a software/hardware product roadmap and an engineering/development plan.
Integrated Launch Studio 1
Credits: 4
In this first course of a two-quarter course sequence, students work in teams with guidance from industry sponsors to plan and execute the front-end phases of a comprehensive MSTI Launch Project, including problem framing and scoping, exploration of needs and business constraints, and exploration of technology platforms with early prototyping.
Building Effective Teams
Credits: 3
Students learn concepts and principles that are fundamental to developing teams capable of extraordinary performance, helping lay the foundation for high performance in their teams during the launch project.
Visual, Interaction, and Industrial Design Studio
Credits: 3
This course immerses students in the theory and practice of basic design concepts for the design of interactive products that are functionally, emotionally and aesthetically appealing.
Courses
Corporate & IP Law for Technology Innovators
Credits: 2
This course introduces key areas of business law, including common organizational structures such as corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit/low-profit entities. It also covers the roles of founders, directors and shareholders in each structure, as well as the basics of intellectual property and copyright law.
Integrated Launch Studio 2
Credits: 8
Working in teams, students finalize their launch projects with a focus on proof-of-concept prototyping, business case, and final solution in connected devices or robotics innovation.
Launch Seminar
Credits: 1
This seminar focuses on preparing students for transitioning from student to professional, covering design and software/hardware industry trends and career outlook. Guest lectures in topics relevant to technology innovation, including leadership skills, program management, entrepreneurship, and ethics are presented.
Courses
Technology Foundations
Credits: 3
This course serves as a review of intermediate level objected oriented programming concepts in Python and will also focus on using Python to perform data analysis, visualization, and manipulation. Note: Students who have completely met the MSTI prerequisites may petition to replace this class with an elective.
Introduction to Sensors and Circuits
Credits: 3
Students develop the background and techniques needed to connect digital systems to the physical world.
Fabrication & Physical Prototyping
Credits: 3
Students learn the concepts and skills required to design, prototype and fabricate physical artifacts, including 2-D and 3-D CAD modeling, high-fidelity prototyping (laser cutting, CNC milling, 3-D printing) and low-fidelity prototyping (paper, foam, media). Industry standards for manufacturing are also covered.
Design Thinking Studio
Credits: 3
Working in teams, students learn and apply the entire user-centered design process to real-world problem, executing methods to design, prototype and evaluate ideas for innovative solutions in a team project.
Courses
Robotics Lab 1 (Robotics Track)
Credits:4
This is the required winter quarter Lab 1 course for the Robotics track. Students learn and apply fundamental principles for robotics applications including basic manipulation and motion planning.
Hardware/Software Lab 1 (Connected Devices track)
Credits: 4
This is the required winter quarter Lab 1 course for the Connected Devices track. Students execute a series of projects to integrate software and hardware concepts learned in the Prepare phase of the program.
Managing Data and Signal Processing
Credits: 3
Students learn the basics of digital signal processing and machine learning, as well as simple methods for storing, managing and retrieving data in the cloud.
Programming for Digital and Physical User Interfaces
Credits: 4
Students build fundamental programming skills, with a focus on sensor-based signals (including audio and images) and useful tools for prototyping software and hardware user interfaces.
History & Future of Technology
Credits: 2
Students gain an understanding and appreciation of past trends in hardware and software technology, in order to think about future technology trends and develop prototypes for futuristic ideas.
Courses
Hardware/Software Lab 2 (Connected Devices track)
Credits: 4
This the required spring quarter Lab course for the Connected Devices track. Students continue prototyping hardware/software systems, with the added complexity of signal processing, networking, cloud interfaces and web-based user interfaces.
Robotics Lab 2 (Robotics track)
Credits: 4
This is the required spring quarter Lab course for the Robotics track. Students build on foundational knowledge from Lab 1: Robotics to continue to learn increasingly complex principles for robotics application including mobility and navigation.
Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Credits: 3
Students explore the key issues and strategies involved in evaluating new market opportunities and starting a new venture including identifying new venture opportunities, developing and testing market strategies, evaluating test market performance, and evaluating business plans.
Students learn the basics of finance and accounting for start-up businesses, including reading and understanding a profit-and-loss statement, managing cash flow and margins, and making investments in high-growth businesses.
Fundamentals of Technology Strategy
Credits: 2
Students are introduced to the core concepts of business level strategy with a particular emphasis on establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage through strategy formulation and implementation.
User Research & Evaluation Studio
Credits: 3
This project-based course focuses on the user research components of the design process. Students learn methods to engage stakeholders and elicit their needs to provide insight for defining requirements for ethically grounded designs. It also covers aspects of evaluation of technology designs with potential users, including usability and user experience evaluation techniques.
Courses
Internship/CPT (optional)
Credits: 5-10
Students may choose to pursue a part or full time internship to broaden and apply their skills in a real-world industry internship. Additional tuition and fees may apply to earn internship credit.
Study Abroad (optional)
Credits: 0-5
Students may choose to pursue a study abroad experience either through the Global Innovation Exchange’s custom programs, or University of Washington Study Abroad.
Courses
Launch Project Planning
Credits: 1
This course is for exploration and planning of Launch Project options, and meet industry sponsors who will present information on real-world industry problems and challenges. Students select which problems they would like to propose solutions for are placed in project teams.
Planning and Managing Hardware/Software Development
Credits: 2
Students gain experience in creating a software/hardware product roadmap and an engineering/development plan.
Integrated Launch Studio 1
Credits: 4
In this first course of a two-quarter course sequence, students work in teams with guidance from industry sponsors to plan and execute the front-end phases of a comprehensive MSTI Launch Project, including problem framing and scoping, exploration of needs and business constraints, and exploration of technology platforms with early prototyping.
Building Effective Teams
Credits: 3
Students learn concepts and principles that are fundamental to developing teams capable of extraordinary performance, helping lay the foundation for high performance in their teams during the launch project.
Visual, Interaction, and Industrial Design Studio
Credits: 3
This course immerses students in the theory and practice of basic design concepts for the design of interactive products that are functionally, emotionally and aesthetically appealing.
Courses
Corporate & IP Law for Technology Innovators
Credits: 2
This course introduces key areas of business law, including common organizational structures such as corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit/low-profit entities. It also covers the roles of founders, directors and shareholders in each structure, as well as the basics of intellectual property and copyright law.
Integrated Launch Studio 2
Credits: 8
Working in teams, students finalize their launch projects with a focus on proof-of-concept prototyping, business case, and final solution in connected devices or robotics innovation.
Launch Seminar
Credits: 1
This seminar focuses on preparing students for transitioning from student to professional, covering design and software/hardware industry trends and career outlook. Guest lectures in topics relevant to technology innovation, including leadership skills, program management, entrepreneurship, and ethics are presented.
Our Technology Innovation Process
Scope Problems and Conduct User Research
The labs facilitate building a wide range of technology solutions, but just as crucial is the design intent of the solution, and meeting a user's real needs.
Design and Build Initial Prototypes
Using the tools and materials in the labs, students learn to make initial prototypes using basic fabrication techniques, and prototype their basic electronic components.
Begin Field Testing and Collecting Data
Working with your project sponsor, begin testing the solution in field conditions, collect and analyze data, and gather user test data.
Iterate and Improve Solutions
The dedicated labs allow rapid iteration and improvement on prototypes, from structural or electronics changes, or making design changes based on user feedback and data.
Build Final Prototypes
Finalize your prototype by utilizing more durable materials, or custom integrated circuits, and deploy in as close to real-world conditions as possible.
Join an Admissions Event
Join current students, faculty, and admissions advisors to learn more about the MS in Technology Innovation program and the application process!