Course Work

Conducting research requires a firm grounding in the concepts and prior work of a field. Course work requirements are designed to ensure that firm grounding. Course requirements are structured so that they can typically be completed within the first two and a half years of study. However, students are free to schedule their course work in a variety of ways to accommodate their educational needs, and in some cases additional prerequisite course work may be needed.

Areas of specialization

HCI Ph.D. students come from a variety of backgrounds spanning the research areas that contribute to Human Computer Interaction. To accommodate students with these wide range of interests, the HCI Ph.D. program of study has been structured around three areas of specialization: behavioral sciences (encompassing, for example, social science, cognitive science, or psychology backgrounds), computer science, and design. However, we also encourage applicants from a variety of other backgrounds.

Course requirements for all students

All programs of study are created individually, but must be approved in advance by both your advisor and the department committee for programs of study.

All programs of study must include:

• 05-771 HCI Process and Theory
• 4 graduate level courses in an area of specialization, (Behavioral sciences, computer science or design)
• 1 graduate level course in a second area
• 1 graduate level course in the third area
• 4 graduate level mini courses (05772 Social Perspectives in HCI, 05773 Computer Science Perspectives in HCI, 05774 Design Perspectives in HCI, 05775 Cognitive Perspectives in HCI)

In addition, each program of study must include at least one graduate level studio design course.