COMPSCI 705 : Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction

Science

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Human aspects of computer systems, relevant to commercial solution development and computer science research. Sample topics: advanced evaluation methods; support of pen and touch-based interaction; trends with domain specific user interface design, such as interfaces for enterprise systems. Recommended preparation: COMPSCI 345 or SOFTENG 350.

Course Overview

This course focuses on recent research in Human Computer Interaction, covering a broad variety of topic areas and domains. As HCI is involved in all end-user software, there are myriad software applications that relate to HCI. In this course, we focus on research methods, critically evaluating research involving human computer interaction, and synthesizing results from published research. Several guest lectures will discuss the applications of HCI in their own domains and research areas.
Another component of this course is the research project proposal, which will be conducted in teams. In the first half of the semester, you will carry out a literature review related to that topic. In parallel with that, and with more intensity in the second half of the semester, you will work with your team to propose a research project, including the design and implementation of software as well as data collection.    
The skills developed in this course are particularly useful for those wishing to have a career involving UX/UI (user experience/user interaction/user interfaces) and front-end development.

Course Requirements

Restriction: SOFTENG 702

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Evaluate methods that apply to various areas in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
  2. Carry out a literature review and project on a specific HCI related topic (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  3. Acquire skills in critical thinking, academic literacy, collaboration, and oral presentation (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  4. Apply ethical best practices in HCI research (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Literature review 10% Individual Coursework
Project 10% Group Coursework
Project 15% Individual Coursework
Reflections, peer reviews 5% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Literature review
Project
Project
Reflections, peer reviews
Test
Exam

Must pass practical and theory components.

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

Special Requirements

Must complete practical work / compulsory in-person participation at selected tutorial hours (weeks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12).

Must complete in-person term test (week 5) and in-person exam.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect:

  • 3 hours of lectures
  • 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content 
  • 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including presentations and demos.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests, check-in's, and workshops.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Selected chapters and articles will be provided online.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

In 2024, students will have two opportunities for the theory component.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 15/06/2024 08:03 a.m.