Interactive Systems Design

Study mode:On campus Study type:Part-time Languages: English
Local:$ 5.71 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 18.3 k / Year(s)  
158 place StudyQA ranking:5169 Duration:12 months

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Course Content

The course content is designed to build upon your existing skills, as well as to provide a foundation of basic skills and knowledge relevant to Interactive Systems Design, alongside an opportunity for more advanced study.

In order to achieve this, there are modules offered by both Schools, providing a balance between compulsory modules and optional modules.

A distinction is made between people with a strong computer science or IT background, and people with a background in psychology, social science or some other academic discipline.

During semester one, you will take compulsory modules in:

* Issues in Human Factors
* Studying Human Performance

The further compulsory and optional modules you will then take will be dependant on your background.

Computer science students take an additional compulsory module in Cognitive Ergonomics in Design and must then choose 20 credits from the following options:

* Industrial Ergonomics: Jobs, Culture, Change
* Physical Ergonomics
* Mobile Learning and Ubiquitous Computing
* Computer Vision

Meanwhile, non-computer science students will take a compulsory module - Introduction to Computer Programming - before choosing 20 credits from the following options:

* Cognitive Ergonomics in Design
* Industrial Ergonomics: Jobs, Culture, Change
* Physical Ergonomics
* Mobile Learning and Ubiquitous Computing
* Computer Vision

During semester two, all students will take compulsory modules in:

* User Interface Design
* Contemporary Issues in Human Factors and Interactive Systems
* Games

In addition, you will choose 30 credits from the following optional modules:

* New Media Design
* Software Engineering
* Advanced Methods in Human Factors
* Multimedia Interfaces and Applications
* Ubiquitous Computing

Please note that all module details are subject to change.

Over the summer period towards the end of the course, you will undertake a research project in Interactive Systems Design under the supervision of a member of the academic staff (from either of the two Schools).

The topic can be in any area of interactive systems design that is of mutual interest to both you and your supervisor, ranging from purely theoretical studies to experimental investigations or practical work building a system for a third party.

Course Structure
The MSc in Interactive Systems Design is offered on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two to four years.

The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits´ worth of compulsory and optional modules and a 60-credit research project.

During the semesters, the course is taught by lectures, practical sessions and various other methods of teaching.

During the summer period, you will conduct an independent research project under the supervision of academic staff.

Modules
The course covers the physical design of workplaces and work tasks, identifying factors which influence people's performance at work and indicating how knowledge of the structure and functioning of the human body can be applied in evaluation and design of work situations. Discussion of instrumentation and evaluation methods will be supplemented by practical experience of some of the techniques in the laboratory sessions. The syllabus covers: anthropometry and dimensional relationships in the workplace, human variability; structure and functioning of the human body; muscle activity, fatigue and recovery; postural loading and discomfort; biomechanics; manual materials handling, force exertion; design of tools; nature and causation of upper limb strain injuries; musculoskeletal disorders, management programmes for diagnosis, prevention and monitoring.Introduction to Human Computer Interaction, User interface design, Evaluation of computer interfaces, HCI design: user needs, methods and models, The world wide web and hypertext, Virtual Reality, wearables and the "disappearing computer", Computers in context, Computers and collaboration, Natural language and speech interfaces, HCI in practice, advanced display systems.A comprehensive overview of the principles of programming will be provided including such concepts as procedural logic, variables, flow control, input and output and the analysis and design of programs.Instruction will be provided in the Java programming language. Instruction in object-oriented methods for requirements engineering and software design. Application of these methods during the development of a medium-scale software system. Experience of team working to break down a problem into a set of manageable tasks. Instruction in industrial notations to model and reason about software behaviour and application of these methods to software development and documentation * Framework for understanding mobile learning
* History of learning with mobile technologies
* Case studies of mobile learning
* Theory of learning for the mobile age
* Pervasive and ambient learning

The module aims to give a broad review of the measurement techniques which can be used in ergonomic analysis and evaluation of systems or products, together with an understanding of the need for experimental design and control in order to obtain valid and meaningful results. It also provides a theoretical basis for techniques which may be practised during laboratory work and exercises in other human factors modules. The syllabus covers: Introduction to experimental design; experimental controls; selection and recruitment of subjects; user trials; ethical considerations Introduction to SPSS Descriptive statistics Statistical analysis: Types of data; Normal distribution; Non-parametric tests; Parametric 2 samples tests, Correlation and regression, Chi Square, ANOVA Observational methods: direct and indirect observation; recording techniques; measurement of behaviour; activity sampling Subjective measurements: ranking methods, rating scales, application in interviews and questionnaires Task analysis: task description; tabular and hierarchical task analysis; applications The aims of the individual MSc project are broadly to enhance understanding in an area of relevance to the degree course and to develop skills applicable in a wide range of circumstances. The student is expected to develop skills in research, investigation, planning, scheduling, evaluation and oral and written communication. The project may be undertaken on any topic which is relevant to Interactive Systems Design and which is agreed by the relevant Course Director. Collaboration with business, industry, and other outside bodies is encouraged. Building on G52IVG this module examines current techniques for the extraction of useful information about a physical situation from individual and sets of images. Particular emphasis is placed on the recovery of three-dimensional shape, motion, and the recognition of events. Topics covered include: advanced segmentation and feature extraction, motion computation and tracking, stereo vision and the use of hidden markov models in higher level analysis.
This module will explore the emerging field of ubiquitous computing in which computation spreads away from the desktop to become embedded into the world around us, including into artefacts, furniture, buildings and ultimately into our own bodies. It will explain how ubiquitous computing builds upon mobile computing and differs from other computing paradigms such as the desktop metaphor and virtual reality. It will cover ubiquitous computing concepts, technologies, applications and design methods. Students will understand the variety of networking and sensing technologies that underpin ubiquitous computing, ranging from portable devices such as current mobile phones off-the-shelf PDAs to bespoke research prototypes of wearable and embedded interfaces. The module will cover the distinctive design challenges in this field including designing for public settings, adapting to context and coping with uncertainty in positioning and wireless communications.

Entry requirements:2.1(Upper 2nd class hons degree or international equivalent)Including:Sciences,Social Sciences, Engineering,Psychology,Computer Science, Information SystemsIELTS:6.0 (no less than 5.0 in any element)TOEFL paper based:550 with 4.0 TWETOEFL computer based:213 with 4.0 TWETOEFL IBT:79 (no less than 17 in any element) English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B)
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