Master of Science in Human - Computer Interaction

OVERVIEW

The interdisciplinary Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) degree program is a cooperative effort of the College of Computing; the School of Literature, Communication, and Culture; and the School of Psychology. The program provides students with the practical, interdisciplinary skills and theoretical understanding they will need to become leaders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the computer interfaces of the future.

COURSE OF STUDY

The HCI master's degree is a four-semester program consisting of a total of 36 semester hours. Each student will be required to complete a set of core courses, a set of area specialization courses, and a master's project. The core is divided into fixed and flexible sets of courses. Students are required to complete three courses in the fixed core and a subset of courses in the flexible core based upon their academic background. The specific courses for each student will be determined by the HCI program coordinator in consultation with the academic unit. The area specialization courses are determined by the academic unit in which the student resides. The areas of specialization are Computing; Digital Media (DM, through the School of Literature, Communication, and Culture); and Psychology.

FIXED CORE (9 hours)

CS/PSYC 6750, Human-Computer Interaction (must be taken during the first semester)
PSYC 6018, Principles of Research Design
PSYC 7101, Engineering Psychology I: Methods and Controls

FLEXIBLE CORE (12 hrs Computing and Psychology specializations; 9 hrs IDT)

All specialization courses may also be taken as part of the Flexible Core, but at least 9 hours of the Flexible Core must be taken outside your specialization. A maximum of 3 hours of CS 8903 may count toward the Flexible Core.

Computing

COA/CS 6763, Design of Environments
COA 8901, Special Problems: Network Music
COA 8903, Special Problems: Project Studio in Music Technology
COA 8903, Special Problems: Computer Music Composition
CS 7467, Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning
CS 8803, Special Topics: Computer Audio
CS/PSYC 6795, Introduction to Cognitive Science

International Affairs

INTA 8803, Special Topics: Computers, Communications, and International Development
INTA 8803 / PUBP 8803, Special Topics: Information Technology Policy

Industrial and Systems Engineering

ISYE 6205 / AE 8803, Cognitive Engineering
ISYE 6215, Models in Human-Machine Systems
ISYE 6224, Topics in Human-Integrated Systems
ISYE 6231, Design of Human-Integrated Systems
ISYE 6413, Design and Analysis of Experiments
ISYE 6414, Statistical Modeling and Regression Analysis
ISYE 6739, Basic Statistical Methods

Literature, Communication, and Culture

LCC 6213, Educational Applications of New Media
LCC 6215, Issues in Media Studies
LCC 6314, Design of Networked Media
LCC 6315, Project Production
LCC 6316, Historical Approaches to Digital Media
LCC 6317, Interactive Fiction
LCC 6318, Experimental Media
LCC 6319, Intellectual Property Policy and Law
LCC 6320, Globalization and New Media
LCC 6321, The Architecture of Responsive Spaces
LCC 6325, Game Design and Analysis
LCC 6330, Expressive Virtual Space
LCC 6350 / ARCH 8821 / COA 8904, Spatial Constructions of Meaning
LCC 8000, Proseminar in Media Theory

Music

COA 8901, Network Music
COA 8903, Special Problems: Computer Music Composition
COA 8903, Special Problems: Music Technology Research
COA 8903, Special Problems: Project Studio in Music Technology
MUSI 4803, Special Topics: Interactive Music

Psychology

PSYC 7104, Psychomotor and Cognitive Skills
PSYC 8040, Seminar in Engineering Psychology: Assistive Technologies
PSYC 8040, Seminar in Engineering Psychology: The Psychology of HCI

Public Policy

PUBP 8803, Special Topics: The Internet and Public Policy
Certificate Option for the Flexible Core
Certificate in Management of Technology, http://mgt.gatech.edu/programs/mba/concen_cert.html
MGT 6056, Electronic Commerce
MGT 6057, Business Process Analysis and Design
MGT 6111, Innovation and Entrepreneurial Behavior
MGT 6165, Venture Creation
MGT 6326, Collaborative Product Development
MGT 6351, Operations Resource Planning and Execution
MGT 6353, Operations Strategy
MGT 6772, Managing Resources of the Technological Firm
MGT 8803, Special Topics in Management: Database and Customer-Relationship Marketing
MGT 8803, Special Topics in Management: Seminar on Emerging Technologies
PUBP 6401, Science, Technology, and Public Policy

COMPUTING SPECIALIZATION (11 hours)

Software (3 hours):
CS 4452, Human-Centered Computing Concepts
CS 6300, Software Development Process
CS 6452, Prototyping Interactive Systems
CS 6456, Principles of User Interface Software
CS 7470, Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing
CS 8803, Special Topics: Adaptive Personalized Information Environments
CS 8803, Special Topics: Augmented Reality Design

Design, Evaluation, and Cognitive Modeling (6 hours):

CS 6010, Principles of Design
CS 6451, Introduction to Human-Centered Computing
CS 6455, User Interface Design and Evaluation
CS 6460, Educational Technology: Conceptual Foundations
CS 6470, Design of Online Communities
CS 7450, Information Visualization
CS 7460, Collaborative Computing
CS 7610, Modeling and Design
CS/PSYC 7790, Cognitive Modeling
CS 8902, Special Problems

The remaining two credit hours may be taken from either section. A maximum of 3 hours of CS 8903 may count toward the Computing specialization. The master's degree requirements for students in the College of Computing supplement those of the Institute. Students must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.0 to graduate, and no course grade below C will count toward graduation.

DIGITAL MEDIA (DM) SPECIALIZATION (12 hours)

Required (may be repeated; up to 6 hours of LCC 6650 may be applied toward the specialization) LCC 6650, Project Studio (enrollment by permission of instructor)

One of the following courses, preferably taken in the first year of study:
LCC 6310, The Computer as an Expressive Medium
LCC 6311, Visual Culture and Design
LCC 6312, Design, Technology, and Representation
LCC 6313, Principles of Interactive Design

Students may fulfill the rest of the required hours with any other LCC 6000 or 8000 level course.

PSYCHOLOGY SPECIALIZATION (11 hours)

Required:
PSYC 6019, Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data I (5 hours)
PSYC 7102, Engineering Psychology II: Displays and Stressors

At least 3 hours from the following courses:

PSYC 6011, Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 6014, Sensation and Perception
PSYC 6020, Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data II (5 hours)

PROJECT (4 hours; 6 hours for students in the DM specialization)

Each student should complete this requirement, under the supervision of a faculty member, during the last two semesters of the program. Students should also submit a brief written report to their project supervisors at the end of each semester of work and present their work during the MS-HCI student seminar during the semester of graduation.

CS 8902, Special Problems (repeatable; variable semester hours)
or
PSYC 8903, Special Problems in HCI (repeatable; variable semester hours)