Course description
Key facts
-This course is taught in collaboration between the School of Computer Science and the School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering.
-Both of the collaborating schools are very highly rated for their research, each receiving a Grade 5 in the last Research Assessment Exercise.
Course Content
The course content is designed to build upon your existing skills, as well as to provide a foundation of basic skills and knowledge relevant to Interactive Systems Design, alongside an opportunity for more advanced study.
In order to achieve this, there are modules offered by both Schools, providing a balance between compulsory modules and optional modules.
A distinction is made between people with a strong computer science or IT background, and people with a background in psychology, social science or some other academic discipline.
During semester one, you will take compulsory modules in:
-Issues in Human Factors
-Studying Human Performance
The further compulsory and optional modules you will then take will be dependant on your background.
Computer science students take an additional compulsory module in Cognitive Ergonomics in Design and must then choose 20 credits from the following options:
-Industrial Ergonomics: Jobs, Culture, Change
-Physical Ergonomics
-Mobile Learning and Ubiquitous Computing
-Computer Vision
Meanwhile, non-computer science students will take a compulsory module – Introduction to Computer Programming – before choosing 20 credits from the following options:
-Cognitive Ergonomics in Design
-Industrial Ergonomics: Jobs, Culture, Change
-Physical Ergonomics
-Mobile Learning and Ubiquitous Computing
-Computer Vision
During semester two, all students will take compulsory modules in:
-User Interface Design
-Contemporary Issues in Human Factors and Interactive Systems
-Games
In addition, you will choose 30 credits from the following optional modules:
-New Media Design
-Software Engineering
-Advanced Methods in Human Factors
-Multimedia Interfaces and Applications
-Ubiquitous Computing
Please note that all module details are subject to change.
Over the summer period towards the end of the course, you will undertake a research project in Interactive Systems Design under the supervision of a member of the academic staff (from either of the two Schools).
The topic can be in any area of interactive systems design that is of mutual interest to both you and your supervisor, ranging from purely theoretical studies to experimental investigations or practical work building a system for a third party.
Course Structure
The MSc in Interactive Systems Design is offered on a full-time basis over one year or part-time over two to four years.
The course comprises 180 credits, split across 120 credits’ worth of compulsory and optional modules and a 60-credit research project.
During the semesters, the course is taught by lectures, practical sessions and various other methods of teaching.
During the summer period, you will conduct an independent research project under the supervision of academic staff.
