Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications

LCSCI6207 Human Computer Interaction Course Descriptor

Course code LCSCI6207 Discipline Computer & Data Science
UK credit 15 US credit 4
FHEQ level 6 Date approved November 2022
Core attributes None
Pre-requisites LCSCI5205 Object-Oriented Design OR LDSCI5206 Advanced Programming with Data
Co-requisites None

Course Overview

Studies the principles of human-computer interaction (HCI) and the practice of user interface design. Discusses the major human information processing subsystems (perception, memory, attention, and problem solving), and how the properties of these systems influence the design of interactive systems. Reviews guidelines and specification languages for designing user interfaces, with an emphasis on tool kits of standard graphical user interface (GUI) objects. Introduces usability metrics and evaluation methods. Additional topics may include World Wide Web design principles and tools; wireless/mobile device interfaces; computer-supported cooperative work; information visualisation; and virtual reality. Course work includes designing user interfaces, creating working prototypes using a GUI tool kit, and evaluating existing interfaces using the methods studied.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1c Demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of fundamental concepts and principles underlying HCI.
K2c Demonstrate detailed knowledge of human factors necessary to assess the effectiveness of a user interface.
K3c Identify strengths and weaknesses in design choices for HCI.

Subject Specific Skills

S1c Apply appropriate HCI concepts and techniques in the design of a user interface.
S2c Develop an effective graphical computer interface using prototypes, usability testing and iterative design processes.
S3c Articulate reasoning behind HCI design decisions.

Transferable and Employability Skills

T1c Constructively critique and assess interactive systems.
T3c Display an advanced level of technical proficiency in written English and competence in applying scholarly terminology, so as to be able to apply skills in critical evaluation, analysis and judgement effectively in a diverse range of contexts.

Teaching and Learning

This course has a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) page with a syllabus and range of additional resources (e.g. readings, question prompts, tasks, assignment briefs, discussion boards) to orientate and engage students in their studies.

The scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course are:

Lectures/labs. 40 scheduled hours – typically including induction, consolidation or revision, and assessment activity hours:

  • Version 1:All sessions in the same sized group, or
  • Version 2: most of the sessions in larger groups; some of the sessions in smaller groups

Faculty hold regular ‘office hours’, which are opportunities for students to drop in or sign up to explore ideas, raise questions, or seek targeted guidance or feedback, individually or in small groups.

Students are to attend and participate in all the scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course and to manage their directed learning and independent study.

Indicative total learning hours for this course: 150

Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment are used as part of this course, with purely formative opportunities typically embedded within interactive teaching sessions, office hours, and/or the VLE.

Summative Assessments

AE: Assessment Activity Weighting

(%)

Duration Length

(words)

1 Set Exercises 40 24-32 hours  
2 Written Assignment 40   2,500
3 Presentation 20 15 min.  

Further information about the assessments can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Feedback

Students will receive formative and summative feedback in a variety of ways, written (e.g. marked up on assignments, through email or the VLE) or oral (e.g. as part of interactive teaching sessions or in office hours).

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is for a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.

  • Donald Norman. 2013. The Design of Everyday Things. MIT Press.
  • Alan Cooper. 2014. About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design, Wiley.
  • David Benyon. 2014. Designing Interactive Systems, Third Edition. Pearson.
  • Jenifer Tidwill. 2020. Designing Interfaces: Patterns for Effective Interaction Design. O′Reilly.

Indicative Topics

Note: Comprehensive and current topics for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative topics provided below are used as a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.

  • Human factors
  • HCI design
  • Evaluation of user interfaces
Title: LCSCI6207 Human Computer Interaction

Approved by: Academic Board

Location: academic-handbook/programme-specifications-and-handbooks/undergraduate-programmes

Version number Date approved Date published Owner Proposed next review date Modification (as per AQF4) & category number
1.0 November 2022 January 2023 Dr Alexandros Koliousis November 2027  
Print/Save PDF