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CSC-20077 - Module Specification
School of Computer Science and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

CSC-20077 - Human-Computer Interaction
Coordinator: Edward De Quincey Tel: +44 1782 7 34090
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733075

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites


None

Barred Combinations

None


Description for 2025/26

In this module you will learn and apply the underlying concepts and principles of interface and interaction design for a variety of devices. This will include current industry standard areas of user-centred design such as persona, scenarios, card sorting and requirements elicitation, as well as general usability evaluation techniques. You will also learn about visualisation, creativity, HCI guidelines and the sensory, cognitive and physical capabilities of users. This will culminate in the completion of a design portfolio and design solution to an authentic scenario.

Aims
The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to the underlying concepts and principles of user-centered interface and interaction design for web applications on a variety of devices. Students will then have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and understanding they gain in these areas to a case study (coursework assignment).

Intended Learning Outcomes

assess how interfaces adhere to Human Computer Interaction (HCI) guidelines and design patterns: 1,2
design, create and evaluate interfaces of web-based applications for a range of devices: 1,2
identify and summarise the importance of compliance with legal and ethical standards: 1,2
apply the user-centered design process and related techniques: 1
explain how human strengths and weaknesses inform the design of web applications: 1

Study hours

22 hours interactive lectures
12 hours tutorials/practicals
40 hours (4 hours per week for 10 weeks) of structured engagement with online resources
76 hours self study/assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 75%
Report on a User Centered Design Case Study
Students will be given an authentic case study that requires them to redesign a pre-existing interface. In order to do this, they will be asked to assess the pre-existing interface against a set of design and usability guidelines that they identify; perform a small usability study on the interface; design and create a new version of the interface; evaluate how their design conforms to guidelines; discuss the design implications of any human strengths and weaknesses of the users they have identified and summarise any relevant legal considerations. This process will be documented in a 2,000 word report (not including screenshots, diagrams, tables, images etc.)

2: Portfolio weighted 25%
A Portfolio of Weekly Practical Tasks
Students will submit a single portfolio document which evidences completion of 10 x equally weighted short practical tasks completed within the 1-hour weekly practicals. These weekly tasks will be compiled into a single file e.g. Word Document, and submitted electronically.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025