NDAK15012U Advanced Topics in Human-Centred Computing (ATHCC)

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Computer Science

MSc Programme in Computer Science with a minor subject 

Content

The aim of the course is to introduce participants to advanced topics in human-centred computing (HCC). HCC spans human-computer interaction, methods for prototyping and developing, and advanced interaction techniques.

Participants will read current and classic research papers on HCC and discuss them in-depth. In addition, they will hand in four written assignments on parts of HCC that will be used to grade the course. The graded assignments focus on practicing the scientific tasks and skills discussed in class, for example designing evaluation protocols, analysing data, or surveying and synthesizing literature.

The topics discussed in the course are intended to inspire students to pick topics for their master theses.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge of

  • Human-centred computing (HCC).
  • Current research topics in HCC, including but not limited to user experience, advanced user interfaces, and methods for prototyping and developing user interfaces. 
  • Research methods in HCC, including their relative benefits and drawbacks considering aspects of validity, reliability, generalisability, precision, and realism depending upon research questions and methods. 

 

Skills in

  • Identifying and analysing scientific literature within HCC research domain.
  • Synthesising the literature within a specific area or domain of HCC, focusing on human use of technology and the major phenomena surrounding it.
  • Formulating and discussing open research questions and problems within the HCC area.

 

Competences in

  • Analysing scientific papers, including considerations on users, tasks, the context of use, and technologies.
  • Discussing scientific work in HCC, in particular, the relation between construction of interfaces, understanding users, and conceptually-driven work.
  • Identifying poor and good arguments in HCC.

Selected papers and book chapters. See Absalon when the course is set up.

 

Some introduction to parts of human-centred computing, for instance through courses on Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, User-centred Design, or the like.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Classroom discussions and assignments
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 78
  • Practical exercises
  • 14
  • Project work
  • 100
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Type of assessment details
Continuous assessment based on 4 assignments. The final grade is given on an overall assessment of the assignments.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Resubmission of (possibly revised) assignments.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome