CDE3301 Ideas to Proof-of-Concept

Formerly coded as EG3301R DCP Project / Ideas to Proof-of-Concept, this two-semester project course focuses on conceptualisation, implementation and realisation of a product solution to solve an identified problem while providing experience in an integrated product design and development process where technology plays a central role.

Through lecture classes, studio sessions and an open-ended project, students learn how to create a product idea to address a problem of interest, generate and evaluate concept designs, and build proof-of-concept prototypes for user testing. Students also learn how to work in a multidisciplinary team and with various stakeholders, manage the execution of their project, and document and present their work through appropriate mediums.

After completing this course, students should be able to:

  • Craft clear and compelling problem statement, value proposition, and design statement/strategy for a product idea through primary and secondary research.
  • Define stakeholder needs statements and translate them into product specifications and metrics.
  • Generate and evaluate product concept designs in a systematic manner using various methodologies.
  • Create a product architecture to identify the functional and physical elements of a product as well as their interactions with each other.
  • Build, test, and iterate functional proof-of-concept prototypes to communicate and assess the performance of a product idea.
  • Document and present a product idea and its proof-of-concept prototypes through various written, oral, and visual media.

Examples of projects completed by students in CDE3301 / EG3301R may be found on our projects page.

Workload: 12 units across two consecutive semesters

CDE3301 course timeline

CDE3301 runs across the January and August semesters of each calendar year and is roughly divided into three phases:

Students must be in NUS for both semesters of CDE3301. They cannot enroll concurrently in credit-bearing internship or go on overseas student exchange or an NOC programme during both semesters of the course.

Completing CDE3301 during Special Term

Students who wish to embark on semester-long internship, student exchange, or NOC in Year 3 Semester 1 may opt to complete CDE3301 during Special Term (i.e. May to July) immediately after the first semester of the course in Year 2 Semester 2, subject to the following conditions:

  • Everyone in the same project group must complete CDE3301 together during Special Term regardless whether they are in NUS in the August semester.
  • The second half of CDE3301 cannot be taken concurrently with a credit-bearing vacation internship during Special Term.

Project selection exercise for CDE3301

The project selection exercise for the next run of CDE3301 in 2027 will be open at the end of October 2026. Look out for our upcoming events for this project selection exercise!

TEA(M) UP! for 3301

16 September 2026

Looking for teammates for the next run of CDE3301 Ideas to Proof-of-Concept in 2027? Join our casual mixer and meet potential teammates before the course begins. Come with an idea — or without one. Meet people over light bites, share possibilities, and maybe leave with your CDE3301 team!

GEAR UP! for 3301

21 October 2026

Join us at this event to learn more about the projects that are offered for the next run of CDE3301 Ideas to Proof-of-Concept in 2027. Our project supervisors and industry partners will be present to tell you more about the many interesting projects they are offering for CDE3301.

EDIC Project Showcase Nov 2025 (opens in new tab)

The EDIC Project Showcase in November 2025 featured projects from students in CDE3301 who completed their projects at the end of the August 2025 semester, and students from the MSc Engineering Design & Innovation programme who were enrolled in the CDE5312 Beyond the Surface: Exploring Interactive Wearables course. Find out more about the projects on the showcase microsite!

EDIC Project Showcase 2024 (opens in new tab)

The EDIC Project Showcase 2024 featured the work of students in EG3301R who completed their year-long design projects at the end of the August 2024 semester. Find out more about their projects that were presented to members of the NUS community, industry partners, and the public during the event on 15 November 2024.

EDIC Project Showcase 2023 (opens in new tab)

The EDIC Project Showcase 2023 featured the work of students in EG3301R who completed their year-long design projects at the end of the August 2023 semester. Find out more about their projects that were presented to members of the NUS community, industry partners, and the public during the event.

EG3301R Project Showcase 2022 (opens in new tab)

The Innovation & Design Programme held its first project showcase for EG3301R on 11 November 2022. A total of 36 project teams were exhibited to students, alumni, faculty members, and industry partners and the event was live-stream via our social media channels. Take a look at the projects on our showcase page!