Human-Computer Interaction
The M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction is a 36-credit-hour program that integrates computing, usability, interface design, the social sciences and other disciplines in the design and development of user-friendly technologies, software and information systems.
As a graduate, you’ll be well prepared for a career in private industry or academia, or for admission to the Ph.D. in Informatics program with a human-computer interaction specialization.
The program may be completed in two years by a full-time student. Part-time study options are available for domestic students. However, international students and any students funded directly by the School of Informatics and Computing (in the form of an assistantship or fellowship) must complete the program in two years.
A thesis or applied research project is required to complete your degree.
Plan of Study
- INFO H501 Introduction to Informatics (3 cr.)
- INFO H541 Interaction Design Practice (3 cr.)
- INFO H543 Interaction Design Methods (3 cr.)
- INFO H561 Meaning and Form in HCI (3 cr.)
- INFO H563 Psychology of HCI (3 cr.)
- INFO H564 Prototyping for Interactive Systems (3 cr.)
- INFO H590 Ubiquitous Computing (3 cr.)
- INFO H590 Social Computing (3 cr.)
Final Project or Thesis (6 cr.)
Final Project OptionAll HCI students must complete a final project by registering for two courses: H680 HCI Professional Practice 1 (offered ONLY in the Fall) and H681HCI Professional Practice 2 (offered ONLY in the Spring). Each course includes a formally scheduled in-class time that students must attend. Students will work on one final project that extends throughout the two courses, i.e., in both fall and spring semesters. Students will receive an official grade at the conclusion of each course/semester. Students are encouraged to propose a project that can be realistically completed by the conclusion of H681, the Spring semester. Incompletes are NOT permitted.
Required Courses- INFO H680 HCI Professional Practice 1 (3 cr.) – Required for Final Project
Note: Pre-requisites: INFO H541, H561, H543, H563, and H564 - INFO H681 HCI Professional Practice 2 (3 cr.) – Required for Final Project
Note: Pre-requisites: INFO H680
The Thesis option is reserved for students who possess a demonstrated ability to carry out publishable empirical research. Qualified students must find a research-active faculty member willing to advise them on a thesis by the end of the second semester.
Students taking the Thesis option must take and successfully pass I575 Informatics Research Design by the completion of their first year. They should also take an additional statistics course prior to their final regular semester (see the plan of study). As with the final project, an incomplete will NOT be permitted. It is the student’s responsibility to propose a thesis that can be completed within a two-semester timeline. To do this, students MUST provide their primary thesis advisor with a full thesis proposal and outline that includes a timeline for the writing of the thesis.
Required Course- INFO H694 HCI Thesis (6 cr.)
Electives (6 cr.)
Last Updated: 4/23/2018