Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction
The interdisciplinary Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) degree program is a cooperative effort of the School of Interactive Computing; the School of Literature, Media and Communication; the School of Industrial Design, and the School of Psychology. The program provides students with the practical and interdisciplinary skills and theoretical understanding they will need to become leaders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the computer interfaces of the future.
Course of Study
The HCI master's degree is a four-semester program consisting of a total of thirty-six credit hours. Each student is required to complete a set of four core courses, a set of elective courses based on their academic background and interests, a set of area specialization courses based on the academic unit in which they reside, and a Master's project. The specific courses for each student will be determined by the HCI program coordinator in consultation with the academic unit. The area specialization courses are determined by the academic unit in which the student resides. The areas of specialization are: Interactive Computing; Digital Media (DM, through the School of Literature, Media and Communication); Industrial Design; and Psychology.
| Specializations | Fixed Core Credit Hours | Specialization Credit Hours | Elective Credit Hours | Project Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Computing | 9 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| Digital Media | 9 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| Industrial Design | 9 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
| Psychology | 9 | 10 | 11 | 6 |
Each student is required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average across credit hours used to fulfill degree requirements, a minimum grade of “B” in Fixed Core, Specialization, and Project credit hours, and a minimum grade of “C” in Elective credit hours.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 | |
| CS/PSYC 6755 | Human-Computer Interaction Foundations 1,2,3 | 3 |
| PSYC 6023 | Psychological Research Methods for HCI 1,3 | 4 |
| CS/ID/LMC/PSYC 6753 | Human-Computer Interaction-Professional Preparation and Practice (one credit hour Fall of first year and one credit hour Fall of second year) 1 | 2 |
- 1
A minimum grade of “B” is required in each of the Fixed Core classes.
- 2
Course must be taken during first semester.
- 3
Students are expected to take PSYC 6755/CS 6755 and PSYC 6023 during the same semester.
Specializations:
Interactive Computing Specialization
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Software | ||
| Select 3 credit hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Prototyping Interactive Systems | ||
| Principles of User Interface Software | ||
| Video Game Design and Programming | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing | ||
| Human-Robot Interaction | ||
| Special Topics (Mobile Apps and Services) | ||
| Design-Evaluation-and Cognitive Modeling | ||
| Select 6 credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Computing For Good | ||
| Information to Health Informatics | ||
| Personal Health Informatics | ||
| Introduction to Human-Centered Computing | ||
| Qualitative Methods for Design of Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Video Game Design and Programming | ||
| Educational Technology: Conceptual Foundations | ||
| Design of Online Communities | ||
| Social Computing | ||
| Privacy, Technology, Policy, and Law | ||
| Data Visualization: Principles and Applications | ||
| Information and Communication Technologies and Global Development | ||
| Human-Computer Interaction Applications | ||
| Mixed Reality Experience Design | ||
or LMC 6340 | Mixed Reality Experience Design | |
| Design of Design Environments | ||
| Introduction to Cognitive Science | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Human-Centered Data Analysis | ||
| Game Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Human-Robot Interaction | ||
| Special Topics (Animal interaction) | ||
| Special Topics (Personal Health Informatics) | ||
| Special Topics (Physical Prototyping in HCI) | ||
| Special Topics (Gender and Development) | ||
| Special Topics (Creative Design Practice) | ||
| Special Topics (Global Entrepreneurship) | ||
| Special Topics (Issues in Civic Technology) | ||
| Special Topics (Sonification Lab and Studio) | ||
| Special Topics (Psychology of Cybersecurity) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
A minimum grade of “B” is required in each of the Interactive Computing Specialization classes.
Digital Media (DM) Specialization
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LMC 6310 | The Computer as an "Expressive Medium" | 3 |
| Highly recommended: one of the following three courses: | 3 | |
| Principles of Interaction Design | ||
| Discovery & Invention | ||
| Project Studio | ||
| LMC 6000- or 8000-level courses | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
A minimum grade of “B” is required in each of the Digital Media Specialization classes.
Industrial Design Specialization
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required (select one): | 4 | |
| Grad Studio Two: Health and Wellness | ||
| Grad Studio Two: Interactive Products | ||
| Select two from the following (those with asterisk are highly recommended): | 6 | |
| Introduction to Graduate Studies in Industrial Design | ||
| Human Centered Design | ||
| Integrated Product Design | ||
| Service Design, Brand and Value Creation (*) | ||
| Visualizing Interaction | ||
| Design for Interaction: Working with New Technologies (*) | ||
| Interface Prototyping: Exploring Tools & Theories | ||
| Crafting Design Methods | ||
| Design of Interactive Environments | ||
| Investigations of Universal Design in the Built Environment | ||
| Wearable Tech for Health | ||
| Designing For Curiosity | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
A minimum grade of “B” is required in each of the Industrial Design Specialization classes.
Psychology Specialization
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| PSYC 6022 | Psychological Statistics for HCI (Fall or Spring) | 4 |
| Select 6 credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Biopsychology | ||
| Sensation and Perception | ||
| Human Abilities 1 | ||
| Current Topics in Cognitive Aging | ||
| Psychology of Aging | ||
| Psychological Testing 2 | ||
| Engineering Psychology I: Methods | ||
| Engineering Psychology II: Displays, Controls, and Workspace | ||
| Seminar in Experimental Psychology | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
- 1
The pre-requisite to this course is PSYC 2020 or equivalent. Note: PSYC 2020 (Psychological Statistics) is currently equivalent to PSYC 6022 (Psychological Statistics for HCI) which is required for all Psychology specialization students.
- 2
The pre-requisite to this course is PSYC 2020 or equivalent. Note: PSYC 2020 (Psychological Statistics) is currently equivalent to PSYC 6022 (Psychological Statistics for HCI) which is required for all Psychology specialization students.
A minimum grade of “B” is required in each of the Psychology Specialization classes.
Elective Courses:
- 12 credit hours for Interactive Computing
- 12 credit hours for Digital Media
- 11 credit hours for Industrial Design
- 11 credit hours for Psychology
Any Specialization course may be taken to fulfill an Elective course requirement for any of the four degree tracks. Other approved Electives appear in the list below.
For each area of specialization (track), a certain number of Elective credits must be taken outside of the area:
- Interactive Computing: at least 9 non-CS elective credits must be taken
- Industrial Design, Digital Media, and Psychology: at least 6 non-track elective credits must be taken
A maximum of 3 credit hours of Special Problems in HCI (CS/ID/LMC/PSYC 8903) may count toward the Elective course requirement.
A minimum grade of “C” is required in each of the Elective classes used to satisfy degree requirements.
Aerospace Engineering
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AE 6551 | Cognitive Engineering | 3 |
| AE 6721 | Evaluation of Human Integrated Systems | 3 |
Computer Science(NOTE: These courses are still approved electives, but they have been combined with the next section to create a single list of approved Computer Science courses).
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 6150 | Computing For Good | 3 |
| CS 6440 | Information to Health Informatics | 3 |
| CS 6451 | Introduction to Human-Centered Computing | 3 |
| CS 6452 | Prototyping Interactive Systems | 3 |
| CS 6454 | Qualitative Methods for Design of Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| CS 6456 | Principles of User Interface Software | 3 |
| CS 6457 | Video Game Design and Programming | 3 |
| CS 6460 | Educational Technology: Conceptual Foundations | 3 |
| CS 6465 | Computational Journalism | 3 |
| CS 6470 | Design of Online Communities | 3 |
| CS 6474 | Social Computing | 3 |
| CS 6726 | Privacy, Technology, Policy, and Law | 3 |
| CS 6730 | Data Visualization: Principles and Applications | 3 |
| CS/INTA 6745 | Information and Communication Technologies and Global Development | 3 |
| CS 6756 | Human-Computer Interaction Applications | 3 |
| CS/ID 6763 | Design of Design Environments | 3 |
| CS 6770 | Mixed Reality Experience Design | 3 |
| or LMC 6340 | Mixed Reality Experience Design | |
| CS 6795 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 |
| CS 7450 | Information Visualization | 3 |
| CS 7451 | Human-Centered Data Analysis | 3 |
| CS 7470 | Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing | 3 |
| CS 7497 | Virtual Environments | 3 |
| CS 7632 | Game Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS 7633 | Human-Robot Interaction | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Animal Interaction) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Personal Health Informatics) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Mobile Apps and Services) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Physical Prototyping in HCI) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Gender and Development) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Creative Design Practice) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Global Entrepreneurship) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Issues in Civic Technology) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Sonification Lab and Studio) | 3 |
| CS 8803 | Special Topics (Psychology of Cybersecurity) | 3 |
| CS 8903 | Special Problems | 1-21 |
International Affairs
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTA 8803 | Special Topics (Computers, Communications, and International Development) | 3 |
| INTA/CS 6745 | Information and Communication Technologies and Global Development | 3 |
Industrial Design
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ID 6100 | Introduction to Graduate Studies in Industrial Design | 3 |
| ID 6101 | Human Centered Design | 3 |
| ID 6107 | Integrated Product Design | 3 |
| ID 6212 | Grad Studio Two: Health and Wellness | 4 |
| ID 6213 | Grad Studio Two: Interactive Products | 4 |
| ID 6216 | Service Design, Brand and Value Creation | 3 |
| ID 6401 | Visualizing Interaction | 3 |
| ID 6510 | Design for Interaction: Working with New Technologies | 3 |
| ID 6520 | Crafting Design Methods | 3 |
| ID 6515 | Interface Prototyping: Exploring Tools & Theories | 3 |
| ID/CS 6763 | Design of Interactive Environments | 3 |
| ID 6800 | Investigations of Universal Design in the Built Environment | 3 |
| ID 6830 | Wearable Tech for Health | 3 |
| ID 7655 | Designing For Curiosity | 3 |
| ID 8903 | Special Problems in Human-Computer Interaction | 1-3 |
Industrial and Systems Engineering
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ISYE 6413 | Design and Analysis of Experiments | 3 |
| ISYE 6414 | Statistical Modeling and Regression Analysis | 3 |
| ISYE 6739 | Basic Statistical Methods | 3 |
| ISYE 6772 | Managing Resources of the Technological Firm | 3 |
| ISYE 7210 | Real-time Interactive Simulation | 3 |
Literature, Media, and Communication (Digital Media)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Any LMC 6000- 8000-level class may be used as a General Elective | ||
| LMC 6215 | Issues in Media Studies | 3 |
| LMC 6310 | The Computer as an "Expressive Medium" | 3 |
| LMC 6311 | Visual Culture and Design | 3 |
| LMC 6312 | Design, Technology & Representation | 3 |
| LMC 6313 | Principles of Interaction Design | 3 |
| LMC 6314 | Design of Networked Media | 3 |
| LMC 6315 | Product Production | 3 |
| LMC 6316 | Historical Approaches to Digital Media | 3 |
| LMC 6317 | Interactive Narrative/Fiction | 3 |
| LMC 6318 | Experimental Media | 3 |
| LMC 6319 | Intellectual Property Policy and Law | 3 |
| LMC 6325 | Game Design and Analysis | 3 |
| LMC 6340/CS 6770 | Mixed Reality Experience Design | 3 |
| LMC 6399 | Discovery & Invention | 3 |
| LMC 6650 | Project Studio | 3 |
| LMC 6748 | Social Justice, Critical Theory, and Philosophy of Design | 3 |
| LMC 8000 | Proseminar in Media Theory | 3 |
| LMC 8001 | Proseminar in Digital Media Studies | 3 |
Management of Technology (MOT)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 6056 | Electronic Commerce-Conducting Business on the Internet | 3 |
| MGT 6057 | Business Process Analysis and Design | 3 |
| MGT 6059 | Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| MGT 6086 | Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity | 3 |
| MGT 6111 | Innovation and Entrepreneurial Behavior | 3 |
| MGT 6165 | Venture Creation | 3 |
| MGT 6326 | Collaborative Product Development | 3 |
| MGT 6359 | Business Strategies For Sustainability | 3 |
| MGT 6450 | Project Management | 3 |
| MGT 6772 | Managing Resources of the Technological Firm | 3 |
| MGT 6799 | Legal Issues in Technology Transfer | 3 |
| MGT 6789 | Technology Ventures | 3 |
| MGT 8803 | Big Data Analytics in Business | 3 |
Music
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 6001 | Music Perception and Cognition | 3 |
| MUSI 6002 | Computer Supported Interactive Music | 3 |
| MUSI 6003 | Music Technology History and Repertoire | 3 |
| MUSI 6004 | Technology Ensemble | 3 |
| MUSI 6103 | Music Recording and Mixing | 3 |
| MUSI 6203 | Project Studio in Music Technology | 3 |
| MUSI 7100 | Music Technology Research Laboratory | 3 |
Psychology
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 6011 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6012 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 6014 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| PSYC 6022 | Psychological Statistics for HCI | 4 |
| PSYC 6041 | Current Topics in Cognitive Aging | 1 |
| PSYC 7101 | Engineering Psychology I: Methods | 3 |
| PSYC 7102 | Engineering Psychology II: Displays, Controls, and Workspace | 3 |
| PSYC 7104 | Psychomotor and Cognitive Skill Learning and Performance | 3 |
| PSYC/CS 7790 | Cognitive Modeling | 4 |
| PSYC 8040 | Seminar in Engineering Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 8903 | Special Problems in Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
Public Policy
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PUBP 6111 | Internet and Public Policy | 3 |
| PUBP 6401 | Science, Technology, and Public Policy | 3 |
Research Project (6 credit hours)
Each student completes this requirement, under the supervision of a faculty member, typically during the last two semesters of their program. Students must submit a project proposal and a final report and present their work to program coordinators and other MS - HCI students late during the semester of graduation.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| HCI Master's Project 1 | ||
| HCI Master's Project 1 | ||
| HCI Master's Project 1 | ||
| HCI Master's Project 1 | ||
- 1
repeatable; up to 6 credits
A minimum grade of “B” is required in the project course.
Other expectations
All students are expected to complete a corporate internship in an HCI-relevant position between their second and third semesters.