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):

CSE 1301Introduction to Computer Science3
DESIGN 1265Visual Principles for the Screen3

Integration Course (3 units):

CSE 2506 Introduction to Human-Centered Design3
DESIGN 2258Interaction Design: Understanding Health and Well-Being3

Electives (9 units, with at least one course each from ART and CSE):

CSE 2004Web Development 3
CSE 3300Rapid Prototype Development and Creative Programming3
CSE 4308Mobile Application Development 3
CSE 4500Video Game Programming 3
CSE 4507Introduction to Visualization 3
CSE 5506Human-Computer Interaction Methods3
CSE 5507 Advanced Visualization3
DESIGN 2506Digital Game Design3
DESIGN 3250Interaction Design: User-Centered Applications3
DESIGN 3253Advanced Interaction Design3
DESIGN 3254Communication Design: Interaction Foundations3
DESIGN 3260UX Research Methods for Design3
DESIGN 3261Interaction Design: Layout Systems3
DESIGN 3302Conditional Design3
DESIGN 3508Game Design Principles & Practice3
DESIGN 4270Advanced Visual Principles for the Screen3
DESIGN 4280 Design with Artificial Intelligence
PNP 2000Introduction Cognitive Science3
PSYCH 3600Cognitive Psychology 3
 

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