Carleton School of Information Technology
230 Azrieli Pavilion
613-520-2600, ext 1795
http://hcidegree.carleton.ca
- M.A. Human-Computer Interaction
- M.A.Sc. Human-Computer Interaction
- M.C.S. Human-Computer Interaction
M.A., M.A.Sc., M.C.S. Human-Computer Interaction
About the Program
The Master of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) degree is open to students from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds in the human, technological, or engineering sciences. It offers students an opportunity to explore their native discipline in more depth while also gaining insight into the language and constraints under which specialists in other disciplines in the HCI field work. The degree prepares all students for direct entry into a career in HCI, bringing cross-disciplinary skills in quantitative and qualitative laboratory and field research that are increasingly sought after in industry and government. While no Ph.D. program is offered in HCI at Carleton as yet, qualified students who wish to continue their studies beyond a Master's degree may apply in the Ph.D. programs of their native discipline.
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the HCI M.A. program will normally hold an Honours degree or equivalent professional degree in Arts, Social Sciences, Business, or related areas with Highest Honours. Applicants for the M.A.Sc. program will normally hold an Honours degree in Engineering, Architecture, Design, or related areas with Highest Honours. Applicants for the M.C.S. degree will normally hold an Honours degree in Computer Science. Applicants with a background in Cognitive Science will be considered for whichever of the three programs is appropriate to their particular academic background.
Applicants judged to be generally acceptable but deficient in some preparation may be asked to complete course-work in addition to the program requirements.
In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages will include a statement of interest outlining the applicant's proposed area of research.
Program Requirements
The HCI program comprises 5.0 credits of which 3.0 credits are devoted to course work, and 2.0 credits to a thesis.
Every student must enroll in one of three streams, Master of Arts, Master of Applied Science, or Master of Computer Science, depending on their native discipline.
M.A. Human-Computer Interaction
| 1. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
| Fundamentals of HCI Design and Evaluation | ||
| 2. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HCIN 5200 [0.5] | Software and User Interface Development | |
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HCIN 5300 [0.5] | Interactive Entertainment Technologies | |
| Students in the M.A. stream must also complete one of the following: | 0.5 | |
| Experimental Research in Cognition | ||
| Critical Approaches to Qualitative Inquiry | ||
| Research methods in HCI | ||
| 4. 1.0 credit (normally two 0.5-credit courses) from a wide range of available electives with the guidance and permission of the supervisor of graduate studies | 1.0 | |
| HCIN 5909 [2.0] | Thesis in Human-Computer Interaction | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
M.A.Sc. Human-Computer Interaction
| 1. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
| Fundamentals of HCI Design and Evaluation and Fundamentals of HCI Design and Evaluation | ||
| 2. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HCIN 5200 [0.5] | Software and User Interface Development | |
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HCIN 5300 [0.5] | Interactive Entertainment Technologies | |
| Students in the M.A.Sc. stream must also complete one of the following: | 0.5 | |
| Design Research Methods | ||
| Methodologies for Discrete-Event Modelling and Simulation | ||
| 4. 1.0 credit (normally two 0.5-credit courses) from a wide range of available electives with the guidance and permission of the supervisor of graduate studies. | 1.0 | |
| 5. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
HCIN 5909 [2.0] | Thesis in Human-Computer Interaction | |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
M.C.S. Human-Computer Interaction
| 1. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
| Fundamentals of HCI Design and Evaluation | ||
| 2. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HCIN 5200 [0.5] | Software and User Interface Development | |
| 3. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
HCIN 5300 [0.5] | Interactive Entertainment Technologies | |
| 4. 0.5 credit in: | 0.5 | |
| Object-Oriented Software Development | ||
| 5. 1.0 credit (normally two 0.5-credit courses) from a wide range of available electives with the guidance and permission of the supervisor of graduate studies | 1.0 | |
| 6. 2.0 credits in: | 2.0 | |
HCIN 5909 [2.0] | Thesis in Human-Computer Interaction | |
| Total Credits | 5.0 | |
Human-Computer Interaction (HCIN) Courses
Fundamentals of HCI Design and Evaluation
A survey of strategies and practices in HCI design and evaluation. Students will learn to perform studies in user interface analysis and design, to read the research literature critically, distill important points from readings, summarize, and write papers as well as design user interfaces and present their written and oral work. Also offered as PSYC 5105.
Software and User Interface Development
Design and development of user interfaces for software systems based on principles for supporting user interaction, with emphasis on frameworks, tools, and processes for user interface development.
Interactive Entertainment Technologies
Introduction to the elements related to interactivity in entertainment technologies. A range of topics important in the entertainment industry (film, video games, ubiquitous computing) are examined, and the foundations behind these are explained to understand the significant role of the user interface.
Experimental Research in Cognition
An introduction to the contribution of experimental psychology and neuroscience to cognitive science. Also offered as CGSC 5002.
Critical Approaches to Qualitative Inquiry
Development of critical skills in qualitative research by considering the relationship between theory and method. Focus on engaged scholarship and participatory, community-based, action research. Practical experience with select methods, including: interviews, personal narratives, focus groups, participant observation, archival research, discourse analysis, and visual methodologies.
Research methods in HCI
An introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods in HCI. Students will acquire skills in collecting and analyzing HCI data, presenting the findings and specifying practical implications. Also offered as PSYC 5106.
Design Research Methods
Critical analysis of research methods in design and disciplines contributing to design including anthropology, psychology, sociology, and business. Application areas include advanced materials and manufacturing processes, advanced visualization, product interaction design, extreme environments, sustainable design, design and culture, design management, and human-oriented design. Also offered as IDES 5102.
Methodologies for Discrete-Event Modelling and Simulation
Methodological aspects of simulation. Modelling discrete events systems. Modeling formalisms: FSA, FSM, Petri Nets, DEVS, others. Verification and Verification. Cellular models: Cellular Automata, Cell-DEVS. Continous and hybrid models. Parallel and Distributed simulation (PADS) techniques. PADS middleware: HLA, Parallel-DEVS, Time-Warp. Also offered as SYCS 5104.
Object-Oriented Software Development
Issues in modeling and verifying quality and variability in object-oriented systems. Testable models in model-driven and test-driven approaches. System family engineering. Functional conformance: scenario modeling and verification, design by contract. Conformance to non functional requirements: goals, forces and tradeoffs, metrics. Also offered as COMP 5104.
Directed Studies
A course of independent study under the supervision of a member of the Human/Computer Interaction faculty. Open only to students in the HCI program. Students are required to obtain their supervisor's written approval prior to registration and are limited to one such course in their program.
Advanced Topics
Topics not ordinarily treated in the regular course program due to their contemporary subject matter. The choice of topics varies from year to year. Details will be available at the time of registration.
Thesis in Human-Computer Interaction
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca
Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca