Course syllabus - User Experience Design and Usability
Scope
7.5 credits
Course code
DVA451
Valid from
Autumn semester 2017
Education level
Second cycle
Progressive Specialisation
A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements).
Main area(s)
Computer Science
School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Ratified
2016-01-27
Revised
2017-01-31
Status
This syllabus is not current and will not be given any more
Literature lists
Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.
Objectives
The course provides a basic proficiency in experience design, and design thinking, and the techniques and methods in the field to design digital artifacts with desirable use qualities.
Learning outcomes
After completed the course, the student shall be able to:
1. demonstrate the ability to follow a design process to design interactive digital artifacts with focus on user experience and use qualities
2. demonstrate the ability to perform user studies to evaluate a design
3. exhibit - through literature studies and practical work - how the design work is based on scientific contributions in the field
4. design and develop interactive prototypes and digital artifacts with focus on user experience and use qualities
5. show ability to make assessments with regard to sustainable development, or scientific, social, ethical aspects of, or norm criticism in experience design
6. use basic philosophical concepts and philosophy of science related to experience design
Course content
The course focuses on the process of designing digital artifacts, how they should be designed and developed so that the artifacts have desirable use qualities and good usability. Particular emphasis is placed on the users' experience of the digital artifact. Methods in experience design: design methods in the creative phase, concept development, interaction techniques and evaluation techniques are introduced and applied. The course includes practical design work through workshops and projects. Ethical aspects, social aspects, sustainable development and norm criticism in design are presented. The course also provides an overview of current research in the area.
Tuition
Problem-based learning, projects, design workshops, and literature seminars.
Specific requirements
120 credits of which at least 80 credits in Computer Science and/or Informatics, including at least 30 credits in programming or software development. In addition, at least 18 months of documented work experience in software development or similar areas. Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English A/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish. B/Swedish 3.
Examination
Project (PRO1), 5 credits, examines the learning objectives 1-6, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Written assignment (INL1), 2,5 credits, examines the learning objectives 3, 5 and 6, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.
Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.
Grade
Pass, Fail