Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

CM50110 Human-computer interaction & virtual reality

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX75CW25

Requisites:

Aims: To engender a sensitivity towards the need to take into account human cognitive and behavioural performance when designing interactive computer systems; to show why so-called user friendliness may be essential if computers are to be fully and reliably exploited. Introduction to virtual reality and how such technology is constructed; to enable the student to acquire a critical appreciation of the possible impact of virtual reality systems.
Learning Outcomes:
A student will be able to:
* understand the relevant human factors that can influence the deployment and utilisation of computer technology;
* make critical evaluations of human-computer interface designs;
* apply good practice to simple interactive computer design problem and know how to avoid some of the main pitfalls of bad design;
* understand how virtual reality systems are constructed;
* understand the current state and possible future directions of virtual reality.
Content:
Human-Computer Interaction: Human sensory systems and cognition; computer systems and input/output capabilities; differences between human and computer systems; problems of interfacing between human and computer systems; general ergonomics. Design principles for interactive computer systems: usability; aspects of the design process. Some current issues. Virtual Reality: Description of what virtual reality (also augmented reality) is. Motivations for the development of virtual reality. Principal components required in building virtual reality systems. Possible uses for virtual reality.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07