| Module Code | CSU44051 |
| Module Name | Human Factors |
| ECTS Weighting [1] | 5 ECTS |
| Semester Taught | Semester 1 |
| Module Coordinator/s | Gavin Doherty |
Module Content
The module provides an introduction to the field of Human-Computer Interaction, focused both on understanding human interactions with technology and on the design of useful and usable interactive systems. Students will learn about techniques for: understanding users, and designing and evaluating technologies in light of their needs.
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Break down the concept of usability and be able to apply models of interaction in the analysis of interactive systems;
- Describe available techniques for interaction design and usability improvement, and when it is appropriate to apply these techniques within the software development process;
- Construct Scenarios and Hierarchical Task Models
- Prototype interactive interfaces at multiple levels of fidelity
- Apply techniques to evaluate interface usability and user experience
- Discuss and critique the interface of a specific interactive system with reference to a task model and its associated scenarios.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A mixture of live lectures and some prerecorded videos will be used, together with in-person tutorials.
Continuous assessment will take the form individual and group written exercises as well as in-class tutorials and tests.
Two major coursework assignments include both group and individual components, focused on the design of a web/mobile app, with the final prototypes presented to the class. Marks are individual – if you have not contributed to a group component, you will not receive marks for it.
A further small assignment will involve reading and providing an analysis of a recent research paper.
Assessment Details
| Assessment Component | Brief Description | Learning Outcomes Addressed | % of Total | Week Set | Week Due |
| Continuous Assessment | Small Written Exercises and In-class tests | L1-L6 | 20% | Week 2-10 | |
| Reading Assignment | Summarise a Research Paper | L1-L2 | 10% | Week 5 | Week 10 |
| Assignment | Design Assignment | L2,L3 | 35% | Week 4 | Week 6 |
| Assignment | Prototyping Assignment | L4,L5 | 30% | Week 7 | Week 12 |
| Presentation | Group prototype presentation | L6 | 10% | Week 7 | Week 11/12 |
Reassessment Details
Reassessment will involve in-person examination in the format of previous years (2 hours, 100%). It consists of one mandatory question concerning the analysis of an interactive system description provided, and one further question from two options which cover other elements of the syllabus.
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
| Contact Hours (scheduled hours per student over full module), broken down by: | 31 hours |
| Lecture | 22 hours |
| Laboratory | 0 hours |
| Tutorial or seminar | 9 hours |
| Other | 0 hours |
| Independent Study (outside scheduled contact hours), broken down by: | 81 hours |
| Preparation for classes and review of material (including preparation for examination, if applicable) | 36 hours |
| Completion of assessments (including examination, if applicable) | 45 hours |
| Total Hours | 112 hours |
Recommended Reading List
- Interaction Design, 6th Edition, 2023 by Rogers, Sharp and Preece, or 5th Edition, 2019 [required]
Module Pre-requisites
Prerequisite modules: N/A
Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: This module provides an introduction to major topics within HCI, is not appropriate for students who have already taken a full-semester course on HCI.
Module Co-requisites
N/A
Module Website
Module Excerpt
This module provides a basic introduction to Human-Computer Interaction, for Computer Science students.