NDAK16008U User Interface Technology (UIT)

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Computer Science

Content

This course focuses on technology for modern and emerging user interfaces and hardware, with an emphasis on physical computing. Learning takes place in two ways: a theoretical component, where students will learn about both classic and the latest and most exciting research around novel user interfaces; and a practical component, where students will gain hands-on skills in building novel physical interfaces.

Theoretical topics include such research as:

  • Classic models and styles of interaction (fx. GUIs) as well as modern approaches (fx. gesture-based interaction).
  • Theoretical models of UIs and interaction, such as predicting user performance, or reasoning about interfaces based on physical reality.
  • The latest hardware and software for interaction, such as sensor-based interfaces, interactive 3D-printed objects, shape-changing user interfaces, or tangible computing.

 

The practical component will see students learning skills that allow them to prototype physical user interfaces, such as:

  • 3D modeling
  • 3D printing interactive objects
  • Soldering
  • Basic and advanced circuit prototyping and microcontroller programming
  • Machine learning applied to interaction with novel devices

 

The course as a whole is highly hands-on, with lots of experimentation and building. Students will learn how to locate and understand the latest research in user interface technology, and will discuss how earlier research has appeared in modern user interface technology such as 3D printing, capacitive touchscreens, or gesture-based user interfaces.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge of

  • classic and current research in user interface technology;
  • models of user interaction and methods of evaluating research in user interface technology; and
  • advantages and disadvantages of particular user interface technologies.

 

Skills in

  • locating and understanding the latest research in user interface technology; and
  • designing and building software and hardware prototypes of novel user interface technology.

 

Competences in

  • developing novel user interfaces based on an understanding of classic and contemporary research; and
  • analyzing uses of technology in user interfaces to describe the pros and cons of the choices made.

See Absalon when the course is set up.

Programming skills corresponding to those obtained with a bachelor in Computer Science or equivalent are expected.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
This course will alternate between classroom discussions of key papers on user interface technology and lab classes, which focus on introducing user interface technology and having students develop prototypes.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 32
  • Practical exercises
  • 32
  • Project work
  • 108
  • Exam
  • 18
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, during course
On-site written exam, 4 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
Specifically, the exam consists of two elements:

1. A group project developed during the course and documented with a report wherein the individual contributions are stated (60%) (written assignment)
2. An 4-hour written exam (40%) (written examination under invigilation)

The project is 60% of the grade and the written examination is the remaining 40%. However, both elements of the exam must be passed to pass the exam, i.e. each element must achieve at least the grade 02.

It is not possible to reuse elements of the exam at a later exam. It is however possible to resubmit a revised project report.
Aid
Written aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

same as ordinary exam.

For the re-exam the student must submit a new report or resubmit an edited version of the group report no later than three weeks before the re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome.