Human-Computer Interaction Minor
The Human-Computer Interaction Minor (18 units) is a collaboration between the College of Art and the McKelvey School of Engineering, with a mix of required and optional courses in each school. Students are able to gain a multidisciplinary understanding of the principles and applications of human-computer interaction (HCI), and they are introduced to the techniques and processes necessary to create effective user interfaces.
The HCI minor is intended for students who are interested in the design of user-centered interactive technologies and those desiring jobs that include user interface creation, product design, UX/UI design, app development, and virtual and augmented realities. For students in the College of Art — particularly designers and computationally intrigued artists — the minor provides a more in-depth knowledge of back-end development skills. For students outside the College of Art, an HCI minor supports their studies with a clear track in a hybrid pursuit of design and programming.
Students pursuing the minor must complete two pillar courses, one integration course and three approved electives. Courses listed below are considered approved elective offerings between the Sam Fox School and the McKelvey School of Engineering. Students will be permitted to count only one course toward the HCI minor that is also counting for another major or minor.
Units required: 18, including the following:
Pillar Courses (6 units):
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CSE 1301 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
DESIGN 1265 | Visual Principles for the Screen | 3 |
Integration Course (3 units):
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CSE 2506 | Introduction to Human-Centered Design | 3 |
DESIGN 2258 | Interaction Design: Understanding Health and Well-Being | 3 |
Electives (9 units, with at least one course each from ART and CSE):
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
CSE 2004 | Web Development | 3 |
CSE 3300 | Rapid Prototype Development and Creative Programming | 3 |
CSE 4308 | Mobile Application Development | 3 |
CSE 4500 | Video Game Programming | 3 |
CSE 4507 | Introduction to Visualization | 3 |
CSE 5506 | Human-Computer Interaction Methods | 3 |
CSE 5507 | Advanced Visualization | 3 |
DESIGN 2506 | Digital Game Design | 3 |
DESIGN 3250 | Interaction Design: User-Centered Applications | 3 |
DESIGN 3253 | Advanced Interaction Design | 3 |
DESIGN 3254 | Communication Design: Interaction Foundations | 3 |
DESIGN 3260 | UX Research Methods for Design | 3 |
DESIGN 3261 | Interaction Design: Layout Systems | 3 |
DESIGN 3302 | Conditional Design | 3 |
DESIGN 3508 | Game Design Principles & Practice | 3 |
DESIGN 4270 | Advanced Visual Principles for the Screen | 3 |
DESIGN 4280 | Design with Artificial Intelligence | |
PNP 2000 | Introduction Cognitive Science | 3 |
PSYCH 3600 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |