| Unit name | Human-Computer Interaction Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | COMSM0147 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Paul Marshall |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Computer Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This final Human-Computer Interaction project acts as a focus for all the skills and proficiencies built up from the other units on the MSc programme. The objective is to use these skills in an application of user experience (UX) design or research. The student will need to conceptualise, design, carry-out and disseminate the findings both in written and oral form.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The application of the skills acquired through the other units and through extra-curricular programme wide activities will prepare students for a high degree of freedom to choose their final project and the supervision team they will want to work with. The student will follow this choice with extensive research around the subject, designing, planning and executing the final project of their Masters degree. It is expected that students will spend approximately 600 hours completing this project, which will be self-study, supported by regular supervision meetings.
An overview of content
This is a supervised thesis unit, so no teaching will occur alongside it. The supervisor(s) will support you to extend your knowledge and skills gained from previous units on the HCI MSc to complement the project choice.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
After completing this unit, students will be prepared to apply their knowledge from the HCI MSc in user experience design and/or research. They will demonstrate their ability to motivate a UX problem or opportunity, understand the context of this problem, and address this UX problem or opportunity. This will have prepared them for the task of shaping and changing the next generation of interactive technologies being used worldwide.
Learning Outcomes
1. To conduct background research to clearly specify a research question or design opportunity
2. To plan and manage a substantial user research and/or design project from inception to completion, demonstrating professional-level understanding and application of the principles and methods learned at that stage of the programme
3. To apply appropriate research and/or design methods to gather, analyse, and interpret data related to the project's objectives
4. To demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in addressing and overcoming project-related challenges
5. To effectively communicate project goals, outputs and implications to academic and/or non-academic audiences, using appropriate formats
The student will undertake an independent project to apply the skills they have learned over the HCI MSc taught programme, with a focus on interaction design and/or user research. The projects will be conceived, designed, planned, and executed with the guidance of a supervisor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will have regular supervision meetings with their supervisor(s). The initial project idea will have to be signed off by the teaching staff on the HCI MSc, led by the unit director.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The thesis document of approximately 12,000 words will be written and submitted, comprising 50% of the final mark (ILOs 1-5). The other 50% will be achieved through an oral viva (ILOs 1-5).
When assessment does not go to plan
In the case of required reassessment, we would enable the student resitting to undertake further work and resubmission of the components as above.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0147).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
