Master's Programme in Human-Computer Interaction
Programme syllabus, SMD2M
- Code
- SMD2M
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Social Sciences, 24 August 2015
- Registration number
- SAMFAK 2015/74
- Responsible faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Responsible department
- Department of Informatics and Media
- Other participating department(s)
- Department of Informatics and Media, Department of Information Technology
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 30 credits in IT-related fields of study.
Language requirements
All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.
The minimum test scores are:
- IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
- TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
- Cambridge: CAE, CPE
Aims
The core subject of the programme is human – computer interaction, which includes
- Theories and methods for studying how IT systems and humans interact
- Theories and methods for design of IT systems, artefacts and services from a human-centred perspective
- Theories and methods for the evaluation and change of IT systems, artefacts and services from a human-centred perspective.
The programme provides the knowledge needed to work with all types of human-centred perspectives on IT-based technology, to independently participate in and plan a human-centred IT development process, to develop innovative IT-based systems, artefacts and services, and to maintain and extend computer systems from a human centred perspective. The programme prepares the students to participate in academic research within the area.
Learning outcomes
Goals Expressed as Expected Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master the student shall
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work
- show deep knowledge about human centred perspective on IT-based systems, services and artefacts
- show deep knowledge about the broad scope of value perspectives on IT-based systems, such as sustainability, integrity and democratic values
- show basic knowledge about political, cultural, economical and organisational perspectives on IT-based systems, services, and artefacts
- demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study
- show deep knowledge about human-centred and value-centred methods for the analysis, design, and evaluation of IT-based systems, services and artefacts, as well as the scientific basis of these methods
- show ability to develop and evaluate methods and design solutions for IT-based systems, services and artefacts from a scientific perspective
Competence and Skills
For a Degree of Master the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences,
- show ability to present and receive constructive criticism of own work and the work of others.
- demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
- show ability to produce functional prototypes with one or several interactive technologies and materials.
- show ability to participate in and plan IT-related organisational change processes.
- show insight into the importance of team work and collaboration with other professions and ability to participate in such team projects.
Judgement and Approach
For a Degree of Master the student shall
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- show ability to investigate and evaluate the social and ethical consequences of IT-based systems, services and artefacts.
- show ability to integrate ethical perspectives in IT-based solutions.
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Layout of the programme
The programme covers the following areas:
First semester
Human-computer Interaction
Methods in HCI
Usability evaluation
Second semester
User-centred systems design
Advanced interaction design
User interface programming
IT, ethics and organisations
Embodied interaction
Advanced visual interfaces
Third semester
Electives, covering the areas:
Perception and visual design
Social media
Universal design
IT systems and human factors
Fourth semester
Degree project
Instruction
Instruction consists of lectures, seminars, project work, supervision, and laboratory work. A variety of examination forms will be employed, adapted to the course content and form. A particular ambition is to include industrial collaboration projects in the instruction in many courses.
All or parts of the instruction will be in English.
Degree
The programme leads to a two-year Master's degree comprising 120 credits in the major field of human-computer interaction, at least 60 credits of which are in the major field, including an independent degree project worth at least 30 credits.
Apart from courses on advanced level, a Master's degree can include basic courses corresponding to at most 15 credits. Such courses should concern complementary competence that is needed for acquiring the necessary depth in the core subject, and must not be included in the student’s basic level exam.
The programme may be concluded with a one-year Master's degree comprising 60 credits in the major field of human-computer interaction, at least 30 credits of which are in the major field, including an independent degree project worth at least 15 credits.
Other directives
Selection
Selection is based on previous academic studies, a short summary of previous thesis or other relevant work (maximum one page summary), and a statement of intent. Well documented knowledge of object oriented programming techniques is considered an important merit.
Outline
- Outline valid from Autumn 2024, version 2
- Outline valid from Autumn 2024, version 1
- Outline valid from Autumn 2022
- Outline valid from Autumn 2021
- Outline valid from Autumn 2020, version 2
- Outline valid from Autumn 2020, version 1
- Outline valid from Autumn 2019
- Outline valid from Autumn 2016
- Outline valid from Autumn 2015
- Outline valid from Autumn 2014
- Outline valid from Autumn 2013
- Outline valid from Autumn 2012