SE-615-50 Syllabus--Usability Engineering/Human-Computer Interaction

A large percentage of the world’s software is devoted to the interface between computers and their users, and usability is one of the key factors deciding whether a software project succeeds or fails. This course explores the requirements analysis, design and evaluation of the User Interface in the context of Software Engineering Processes. Specific methods and design problems will be illustrated with real world examples in information technology, the internet, communications, mobility, multimedia and speech technologies. Methodology will be melded together with content material on cognitive engineering, human perception, attention and language. This course prepares students to perform usability tasks directly or to successfully manage and collaborate with usability experts.

 

 

 

Howard Hall

Room

Dr. Allen Milewski
Howard Hall, Room B11
(732) 571-7578
amilewsk@monmouth.edu
Office Hours: by Appointment
 
 

SAMPLE SYLLABUS--Students Enrolled in SE 615 can find complete Course Materials at ecampus.monmouth.edu )

Required Readings

  1. Wickens, C.D., Lee, J.D. Liu, Y. & Gordon-Becker, S.E., An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering (second edition) [this book is referred to as "text" in the Table below].
  2. There will be nearly weekly assignments reading reprint articles as shown in the Table below
Suggested Readings
A list of interesting but optional additional readings is provided in the "Contents" Section of the course management system

Lecture Notes

Lectures will follow the schedule below. Notes will generally be posted on the Course Management System (ecampus.monmouth.edu) prior to class

Course Policies

Evaluation:

Projects
Discussion Leadership
Class participation
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
25%
10%
10%
25%
30%

Attendance:

Attendance at classes is mandatory. Students are responsible for all material covered and announcements made in class.

Academic Honesty:

Everything turned in for grading in this course must be your own work. Students who contribute to violations by sharing their code/designs /solutions with others are subject to the same penalty. By the Monmouth University policy, students found to be in violation of this rule will, at the very least, receive a failing grade in the course and may be subject to stiffer penalties.

Special Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who need special accommodations for this class are encouraged to meet with me or the appropriate disability service provider on campus as soon as possible. In order to receive accommodations, students must be registered with the appropriate disability service provider on campus as set forth in the student handbook and must follow the university procedure for self-disclosure, which is stated in the Guide to Services and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. Students will not be afforded any special accommodations for academic work completed prior to the completion of the documentation process with the appropriate disability service office.

Withdrawal:

Last day to withdraw with automatic assignment of "W" grade: -----.

Discussion Leadership

Each of you will be responsible for leading class discussion on one of the outside readings listed. You will be graded not just on preparation and knowledge of the article but also on how cleverly you elicit class participation. The "Class participation" grade will reflect class discussion of these articles.

Lecture Topic

Assignments

Week of

Lecture Topic

Assignments

Week of

1. Introduction and Motivation: why are so many applications hard to use & how can Usability Engineering help? --Text: Ch. 1.

8. Human Parameters, Constraints & Differences: Social Factors

Text: Ch 19
Boyce article
Project #3 Due


2. Usability Engineering Lifecycle and Cost Justification: the bridges between SE and HCI

Text: Ch 3
Project #1 Due

9. Human-Computer Interaction Design: Iterating Text: Ch 15
Beyer Article


3. Evaluation & Research Methods I

Text: Ch 2;  Mayhew article

10.Decision Making: Strategies for dealing with Choices

Text : Ch 7
Project #
4 Due

4. Evaluation & Research Methods II

Grudin article


11. Processing Complex Information: Visual and Multimedia Displays

Text: Ch 8 --
Mankoff article



5.Human Parameters, Constraints & Differences: Basic Input Systems Text: Ch. 4 & 5
Green articleProject #2 Due

 

12.Human Parameters, Constraints , Differences: Output Systems & Control

Text: Ch 9
Parikh article



6. Human Parameters, Constraints & Differences:Cognitive Processing

Text: Ch 6

 


13.Stress: Designing for Extreme Environments &Selection: picking users

Text: Ch 13
Ballas article
Text: Ch 1
4
Project #5 Due

7. Art & Design
   
Midterm Exam

Norman article

14. Automation: Allocation of Tasks between Man and Machine & Wrapup and ReviewClass Presentations on Design Projects

Text: Ch 16
Marcus article