Human Computer Interaction

The study of the relationship between humans and computers has quickly become one of the most dynamic and significant fields of technical investigation. Iowa State University’s graduate program in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is an established leader in this rapidly evolving field, making strategic investments to accelerate research, attract talented students and faculty, and expand the program of study.

Interdisciplinary by definition, HCI impacts nearly every area of our lives. The HCI graduate major reflects a broad recognition in academia and industry of the need to train researchers to meet the challenges created by today’s breakneck pace of technological progress. HCI graduate students benefit from interacting with ISU faculty from departments representing every college in the University as well as researchers at the Virtual Reality Applications Center.

Iowa State University requires a minimum of 72 graduate credits to earn a PhD. At least 36 graduate credits, including all research credits, must be earned at ISU.

PhD students will be required to choose any four courses, one each from the Design, Implementation, Phenomena, and Evaluation categories, plus two additional courses of their choice from the list of core courses or the list of recommended electives. PhD students will therefore be required to take a total of six courses. In addition to these courses, PhD students will be required to take four credits of the HCI 591 Seminar in HCI plus a minimum of 9 research credits.

Core Courses

Design

• • HCI 521 — Cognitive Psychology of HCI
  • ArtGR 672A – Graphic Design and Human Interaction:  Usability
  • ArtGR 672B — Graphic Design and Human Interaction: Design for Social Inclusion

Implementation

• • HCI 573 — User Interface Implementation for Web Application*
  • HCI 575 — Computational Perception
  • HCI 574 — Computational Implementation and Prototyping
  • CprE/ME 557 — Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling

Phenomena

• • HCI 655 — Organizational and Social Implications of HCI
  • HCI 589 — Design and Ethics
  • JLMC / T SC 574 – Communication Technologies and Social Change
  • ME/WLC 584 – Technology, Globalization and Culture

Evaluation

• • ENGL/STAT 332 — Visual Communication of Quantitative Information
  • HCI 504 — Evaluating Digital Learning Environments
  • PSYCH 501 — Foundations of Behavioural Research
  • STAT 480 — Statistical Computing Applications
  • HCI 522 – Scientific Methods in HCI

• • HCI 591 Seminar, 1 credit

*Course no longer available in catalog.  If course was taken prior to discontinuation will still count as core course.

Recommended Electives

• ArtIS 508 – Computer Aided Visualization
• CI 503 – Theories of Designing Effective Learning and Teaching Environments
• CI 511 – Technology Diffusion Leadership and Change
• ENGL/LING 516X – Methods of Formal Linguistic Analysis
• HCI 510X – Foundations of Game-Based Learning
• HCI 520 – Computational Analysis of English
• HCI/ME 525 – Optimization Methods for Complex Designs
• HCI 558 – Introduction to the 3D Visualization of Scientific Data
• HCI 580 – Virtual Worlds and Applications
• HCI 585 – Developmental Robotics
• HCI 587X – Models and Theories in Human Computer Interaction
• HCI 594 – Organizational Applications of Collaborative Technologies and Social Media
• HCI 595 – Visual Design for HCI
• HCI 596 – Emerging Practices in Human Computer Interaction
• HCI 603 – Advanced Learning Environments Design
• HCI 681 – Cognitive Engineering
• IE 572 – Design and Evaluation of Human Computer Interaction
• IE 577 – Human Factors
• STAT 401 – Statistical Methods for Research Workers

Admission into the HCI graduate degree program depends on a combination of your academic qualifications, area of interest, research specialities and the current research needs of the faculty. Evidence of creative talent, the ability to speak and write English clearly, and promise for a successful career are also important considerations for entry into the HCI Graduate program.

Other admission requirements include:

• Transcripts, test scores and other indicators that the student applicant can be successful at the graduate level.
• 3.0 GPA.
• GRE for all international students.
• TOEFL score of 95 iBT or greater or IELTS of 7.0 or greater for nonnative English speakers.
• The demonstrated ability to write software competently. This requirement can be met during your course of study in the program.

In addition to the above requirements, the following conditions apply when reviewing your application for admission.

• Meeting or exceeding these guidelines does not guarantee admission.
• An HCI faculty member must agree to work with and support you as a major professor.
• Your complete file is made available for member of the HCI faculty to review. (See the faculty page to learn more about the diverse members of the HCI faculty.)