Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies) containing IT-related course modules comprising the equivalent of at least 60 credits in total.

Proof of skills in English to a level corresponding to English B in the Swedish secondary school. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test with the following minimum scores:

• 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 programme focuses on interaction design and the usability of Information Technology (IT) systems. It provides all the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully work with all types of usability-related matters for IT systems, from requirements and work analyses to interaction design, evaluation and implementation. The programme also prepares for research in Human-Computer Interaction.

Learning outcomes

Goals Expressed as Expected Outcomes

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, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
• 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, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
• 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
• 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.

Upon successfully completing the programme the students shall also demonstrate:

• Knowledge about the scientific base in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and its accepted practices.
• A deep understanding of usability related methods for analysis, design and evaluation of IT-systems.
• An ability to take part in and guide development projects in the IT-sector and to perform usability evaluations.
• An ability to independently plan, and with adequate methods, analyse tasks, user studies and information obtained.
• An ability to independently plan, and with adequate methods, design a well-functioning interaction between users and systems in concordance with societal and organisational demands
• An ability to build and evaluate prototypes of user interfaces to IT-systems
• Insight into the role of usability in working life.
• Insight into the possibilities and limitations of IT-systems, their societal importance and the responsibility of humans regarding its use.
• Insight into the importance of teamwork and cooperation with many types of work groups in order to achieve usable IT-systems.

Layout of the programme

Progression in the Programme

Courses given in the first year provide a foundation that enables a meaningful exit option half-way through, with a one-year Master's degree. The second year courses are closer to the research front and are based to a great extent on the research being pursued at the two departments.

The programme covers the following areas:

First semester

Methods in HCI

Interaction design

Usability evaluation

Theories and models in HCI

Second semester

User-centred systems design

Advanced interaction design

User interface programming

Humans in complex systems

IT, ethics and organisations

Third semester

Electives, covering the areas:

Social media

Contextual usability

Universal design

Fourth semester

Degree project

If a student wishes to exit with a one-year Master's degree, three Term 2 courses can be replaced by a degree project worth 15 credits.

Instruction

Instruction consists of lectures, classroom sessions, seminars, project assignments, supervision, and laboratory sessions. Varying examination forms will be used as determined by the structure and content of each course. Our aim is to carry out instruction in project form for a majority of the courses, often with some sort of connection to the surrounding business community.

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.

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.