Prospectus

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Human Computer Interaction (Psychology)

Course
2012-2013

Admission requirements

Master students specialisation Applied Cognitive Psychology

Description

New technologies provide the means to build wonderful interactive software products to shape the world to our needs. However, if not designed well, they can be a source of frustration and annoyance. Knowledge of human factors (e.g. human performance, ergonomic design, and aesthetics) is crucial to make the right design decisions.

This course provides an overview of cognitive issues involved in designing, using and evaluating interactive software products. Recent approaches in the academic field of Human Computer Interaction are discussed, including brain-computer interfaces, online behaviour analysis and e-health.

In addition, students are familiarized with the role of (cognitive) psychologists in the user centered design process and the practical field of user experience consultancy in commercial settings.

The course features guest speakers sharing their expertise, and field trips to state of the art usability labs. In practical assignments students act as user experience consultants and evaluate the usability of commercial websites, in collaboration with major ICT companies.

Course objectives

  • Students learn to apply their (cognitive) psychological knowledge to understand and improve the user experience of websites and other software products.

  • Students gain knowledge of research in Human Computer Interaction

  • Students acquire a practical skill set for analysing websites and software.

  • Students are familiarized with the practical field of user experience consultancy and the career opportunities for (cognitive) psychologists in software development.

Timetable

Human Computer Interaction (Psychology) (2012-2013):

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures (attendance compulsory)

  • Student assignments

  • Practical exercises

Assessment method

Active participation, project reports

From January 1, 2006 the Faculty of Social Sciences has instituted the Ephorus system to be used by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud .

Blackboard

Information on blackboard.leidenuniv.nl

Reading list

Course lecture sheets, papers

Registration

Course enrolment

Students need to enrol for the course via uSis on the master’s introduction and course enrolment day that takes place at the start of each semester. Please, consult the master’s agenda Psychology.

Contact information

Drs. P. Haazebroek
Room 2B11
Phone: 071-5273654
E-mail: phaazebroek@fsw.leidenuniv.nl