Main Field of Study and progress level:
Informatics: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Informatics
Revised by: Head of Department of Informatics, 2020-02-27
Contents
The course builds on the students' previous knowledge of prototyping in the context of human-computer interaction (HCI) and interaction design. The central theme is how different interaction contexts involves different conditions for prototyping as part of the design work. With starting point in the desktop, screen and mouse-based interaction, new contexts, technologies and environments with changing demands of prototyping, are explored.
The course places great emphasis on a combination of theoretical reflection and practical work with prototyping. The course covers a variety of materials and techniques for the realization of prototypes in interaction design. The course also holds a general methodological elements by contextually anchored study methods in comparison with a more quantitative approach as it is expressed for example in experimental studies.
Required Knowledge
Prerequisites for the course are 90 ECTS in one of the following subjects; Informatics, Information Science, Computer Science, Cognitive Science or Informatics with focus on digital media production, or equivalent studies.
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5 (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).
Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Form of instruction
Teaching is given mainly in the form of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials in connection with self-instruction and when performing obligatory computer laboratory assignments or other assignments. Some parts of the course can require obligatory attendance. Teaching can be done in English. All necessary computer applications to be used by the students on their own are introduced and maintained during the course. Some assistance is provided when using these applications. Good knowledge in performing written presentations and the English language are important in order to be able to complete the course. During the course the student will have round the clock access to several of the departments computer laboratories, except when these have been booked for other courses.
Examination modes
Examination is given in the form of both individual assignments and a group assignment. Final grades are pass with distinction, pass or fail. For students who fail the first exam a second exam is normally given soon afterwards. Students who do not pass the exam after these two attempts have the possibility to take the exam three more times when the exam is given. To be able to do so requires that the student be registered for the course during the term the exam is given. Additional attempts to take the exam require permission of the director of studies or the student counselor.
A student who has failed twice on a course, or part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner, unless there are special reasons against it. Requests for new examiners are made to the director of studies.
Transfer of credits An application for credit transfer of previous studies can be sent to Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå.
Literature
Valid from:
2020 week 1
Dourish Paul Where the action is : the foundations of embodied interaction Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press : 2004 : x, 233 s. : ISBN: 0-262-54178-5 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue
Additional reading assignments may include journal articles and conference papers, which will be provided to the students during the course.
