Phenomena and Theories of Human Computer Interaction

Module Description, Aims and Objectives:

Module Description, Aims and Objectives: This course is designed to train the computer science student in how to apply the theories of HCI to the task of design. It surveys the techniques available in the discipline, demonstrates where and when they are applicable and proceeds to demonstrate via a combination of scientific theory understanding and engineering modeling, and the solution of design problems facing a user interface designer.

The course surveys a wide range of psychological theories beginning with organizational behavior approaches to understanding work and workflow within organizations and moving to understanding human psychological architecture and processing constraints. It also covers new design methods and techniques available and the new conceptual mechanisms used in HCI such as the metaphors for describing user interaction.

Course Characteristics:

• Modular credits: 4.
• Prerequisites:: CS 3240 Human-Computer Interaction or CS 3248 Design of Interactive Systems (now deprecated) or NM 2216 Interactive Media Design: Users: May be allowed by CNM staff to replace NM 2216. Note: you do not need to have programming skills to take this class, although having such skill will allow you to do an implementation-based project.
• Instructor: Min-Yen KAN, <kanmy@comp.nus.edu.sg> Office: AS6 05-12 (x1885).
  Office hours are held (directly before class) on Tuesdays 9:00-10:00 in the classroom (HCI Design Studio), or by appointment. Emails to me as a default are assumed to be public, and my replies and your anonymized email will likely be posted to IVLE. Please let me know if you do not want the contents of your email posted; I will be happy to honor your requests.
• Workload: (2-0-0-4-4) Translation:
  2 lecture hours per week
  no tutorials or labs
  4 hours for projects, assignments, fieldwork, etc. per week
  4 hours for preparatory work by a student per week
• Final Exam: 4 Dec 2012 Afternoon, Venue SR3. This is a closed-book exam allowing one A4-sized sheet with any form of notes.

Note to NUS-external visitors: Welcome! If you're a fellow HCI course instructor looking for lecture material, you can see the syllabus menu item on the left for a preview. Please contact me if you'd like to use any of my material. Thanks!