COMP41710 Human Computer Interaction

Academic Year 2022/2023

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a distinctive branch of computer science dedicated to understanding the relationship between people and computers. It provides a set of techniques that enable designers and software engineers to develop computing applications that better respond to the needs, abilities and interests of customers, clients and end-users. This module provides theoretical grounding, practical knowledge, and hands on experience of key skills needed to design and build better interfaces for computing systems.

The module addresses core areas of the ACM SIGCHI Curricula for Human-Computer Interaction and is intended for students with diverse disciplinary backgrounds and experiences, including Computer Science, Cognitive Science and Design.

The module covers the following core topics:
1. Human cognition and models of interaction
2. Usability and user experience
3. Experimental design and statistics for HCI
4. Interface design using user-centred and iterative methods
5. Design thinking and rapid prototyping
6. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation strategies

It also introduces advance topics within the field of HCI. For example:
- Intelligent and next generation user interfaces
- Information visualization
- Social impact interfaces for health and sustainability

Advanced topics are addressed through concrete case studies of successful and innovative design projects.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completing the module, students will be able to:
1. Understand different theoretical perspectives on cognition and human behaviour that are relevant to the design of interactive systems.
2. Propose and apply design approaches that are suitable to different classes of interactive system.
3. Rapidly prototype new interactive systems.
4. Identify appropriate techniques for analysis and critique of user interfaces.
5. Undertake quantitative and qualitative studies in order to evaluate and improve the design of interactive systems.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Practical

12

Specified Learning Activities

44

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures.
Design practicals.
Group exercises.
Case studies.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Design project Unspecified n/a Graded No

40

Class Test: Final quiz Unspecified n/a Graded No

40

Group Project: Empirical experiment Unspecified n/a Graded No

20


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.