23 April 2012

Dundee launches unique course in human-computer interaction

The University of Dundee has launched what is believed to be the only UK undergraduate course specialising in human-computer interaction.

The Applied Computing: Human-Computer Interaction degree is also among the first to be offered in Scotland as a standalone three-year Honours degree programme.

"This degree builds on the School of Computing's excellent international reputation for research in the area of human-computer interaction," said Dr Karen Petrie, Head of Undergraduate Studies and Lecturer in the School of Computing at Dundee.

"Dundee is host to one of the leading research groups in Europe looking at interaction systems and related assistive technologies, which places us in a very strong position to offer this degree. We are also delighted to be able to offer it on a three-year basis, which we feel will make it a very attractive proposition for students."

Human-computer interaction involves the study, planning and design of the interaction between people and computers. HCI is about the ergonomics of using computers, and involves designing computers so that people can interact with them in the simplest and most efficient ways.

This might mean designing the interface of an ATM to be intuitive, to behave how the user expects, to explain errors appropriately and to accommodate impaired or disabled users, even if the impairment is temporary such as being drunk. More than this, however, HCI means changing the way you build things, from how you would expect it to function to how everyone else does.

The School of Computing Industrial advisory board were involved in helping to shape this exciting new degree. One of the board members Myles Gorton, who is a successful independent IT consultant, said, "HCI has never been more important to the computing industry. The recent proliferation of innovative human interfaces - touch screen, motion and position, location, etc - has expanded the range of options open to the industry and, more importantly, to users. The focus of this course on observing and learning from user experience will enable students to gain valuable insight into what really works for users and why. This coupled with the firm base in computing theory and practice provided by other elements of the course will provide students with the skills and experience required to make a real difference in the industry."

Prospective students can learn more about the course here: www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/human_computer_interaction.htm.

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