Computer Science: Human-Computer Interaction

Covers the foundational theories and methods in the interdisciplinary field of human-computer interaction, focuses on the human-centered design and evaluation of user interfaces for various computing systems, as well as introduces a wide range of topics in current human-computer interaction research. Prerequisites: Minimum Junior standing. Pre/Co-requisites: CS 1080 or equivalent experience; completion of WIL1.

Prereq: CS 1080 or equivalent experience; minimum junior standing; completion of WIL1 Open to degree and PACE students

This course fulfills WIL2 (Writing and Information Literacy Tier 2). Why I cannot figure out how to use this thing I just bought? Why is this website/app so hard to use? These frustrations arise when systems are not designed with people in mind. This course is centered around one fundamental question: how can we design human-centered computing systems that people find useful and usable? This course (1) covers the foundational theories and methods in the interdisciplinary field of human-computer interaction (HCI), (2) focuses on the human-centered design and evaluation of user interfaces for various computing systems (e.g., tangible objects, the web, mobile devices, the Internet of Things), as well as (3) introduces a wide range of topics in current HCI research (e.g., social computing, ubiquitous computing, inclusive computing).

Section Expectations: The course materials include: Textbook: Norman, D. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition (Hard copy recommended; paperback around $15). Book chapters, articles, papers, and other online materials by HCI practitioners and researchers (available via UVM Library or online). Students are expected to read assigned course materials before class, submit homework for class discussion before class, participate in class discussion, and engage in various classroom activities. There will be in-class quizzes and a summative exam. Students are expected to work in groups on their semester-long course projects, where they are expected to apply human-centered methods to (1) identify a specific problem that can be addressed by a new or improved interactive user interface, (2) propose potential design alternatives, (3) evaluate these design alternatives, (4) implement the most appropriate user interface design as a prototype, and (5) report the project outcomes in a written report and an oral presentation. Students should expect to spend approximately 4 hours a week on coursework outside of class, with additional time on their semester-long course projects.

Evaluations: Student grades will be based on: (1) in-class quizzes, (2) a summative exam, (3) class participation, and (4) several individual and group deliverables for the course project, including written assignments, presentations, and a user interface prototype.