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Module ICE-2103:
User Experience (UX) & HCI

Module Facts

Run by School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Panagiotis Ritsos

Overall aims and purpose

  • To describe principal concepts and approaches to Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience.
  • To explore cutting-edge interaction paradigms and how these are shaped by fundamental aspects of human physiology and psychology.
  • To provide practical exposure and theoretical understanding of the technologies, methodologies and techniques used for user-centred design and the evaluation computer-human interfaces.
  • To reflect on ways that HCI can be applied in real-world context and the implication this has in our society, economy and culture

Course content

Indicative content includes:

  • Fundamentals of human-computer interaction and user experience.
  • Concepts of human physiology and psychology that influence interface design and information perception.
  • HCI issues in information visualisation, pervasive/ubiquitous computing, (x)reality, multimedia, and Word Wide Web-related environments.
  • Personas, user-needs and interaction requirements.
  • Methods for designing interfaces, including wire-framing, storyboarding and other lo-fi prototyping techniques
  • HCI/UX Evaluation methods, including heuristics, hierarchical task analysis, questionnaire-based surveys and talk-aloud methods.
  • Practical challenges when doing evaluation
  • Optimal and safe design, risks and ramifications of design, accessibility, ethical and professional issues.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Equivalent to 40%. Uses key areas of theory or knowledge to meet the Learning Outcomes of the module. Is able to formulate an appropriate solution to accurately solve tasks and questions. Can identify individual aspects, but lacks an awareness of links between them and the wider contexts. Outputs can be understood, but lack structure and/or coherence.

good

Equivalent to the range 60%-69%. Is able to analyse a task or problem to decide which aspects of theory and knowledge to apply. Solutions are of a workable quality, demonstrating understanding of underlying principles. Major themes can be linked appropriately but may not be able to extend this to individual aspects. Outputs are readily understood, with an appropriate structure but may lack sophistication.

excellent

Equivalent to the range 70%+. Assemble critically evaluated, relevent areas of knowledge and theory to constuct professional-level solutions to tasks and questions presented. Is able to cross-link themes and aspects to draw considered conclusions. Presents outputs in a cohesive, accurate, and efficient manner.

Learning outcomes

  1. Describe the fundamental principles of HCI and UX.

  2. Identify how people perceive and interpret information through computer interfaces.

  3. Use scientific methods and HCI/UX techniques for the evaluation of HCI interfaces.

  4. Use established HCI/UX methods and techniques for designing and prototyping HCI interfaces.

  5. Recognise HCI/UX design principles, standards and guidelines.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
CLASS TEST HCI Fundamentals Class Test 20
COURSEWORK Analysis of a Computer Interface 30
COURSEWORK Design and Evaluation of an Improved Computer Interface 50

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

Traditional lectures (2 hrs x 11 weeks).

 11
Laboratory

Practical exercises and assessment support (2 hrs x 11 weeks).

 22
Individual Project

Student-implemented application of lab exercises.

 46
Private study

Tutor-directed private study, including preparation and individual assessment.

 121

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly

Subject specific skills

  • Identify emerging technologies and technology trends;
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of the specialist cognate area of computer systems engineering in an international context;
  • Formulate and analyse requirements and practical constraints of products, processes and services, place them in an engineering context and manage their implementation;
  • Demonstrate familiarity with relevant subject specific and general computer software packages.
  • Analyse if/how a system meets current and future requirements
  • Deploy theory in design, implementation and evaluation of systems
  • Recognise legal, social, ethical & professional issues
  • Evaluate systems in terms of quality and trade-offs
  • Defining problems, managing design process and evaluating outcomes

Courses including this module