ISU570 -- Human-Computer Interaction
Spring 2008

College of Computer & Information Science
Northeastern University
Professor Robert P. Futrelle

Site updated 16 April 2008

T he official course description: Studies the principles of human-computer interaction and the practice of user interface design. Discusses the major human information processing sub-systems (perception, memory, attention, and problem-solving), and how the properties of these systems influence the design of interactive systems. Reviews guidelines and specification languages for designing user interfaces, with an emphasis on toolkits of standard graphical-user-interface objects. Introduces usability metrics and evaluation methods. Additional topics may include: World Wide Web design principles and tools; wireless/mobile device interfaces; computer-supported cooperative-work; information visualization; virtual reality. Coursework includes designing user interfaces, creating working prototypes using a GUI toolkit, and evaluating existing interfaces using the methods studied. Prerequisites: CSU370.

Things to keep in mind:

• Get a copy of the textbook as soon as it arrives in the bookstore, and begin the assigned readings.
• Sign up for the course mailing list immediately.
• Use the proper subject line for all course-related email you send me.
• You are responsible for reading the course website pages, including updates that I alert you to.

News and Notes - Added as the course proceeds

April 16^th:
Details on the Final Exam topics are described on the Exam Information page. Scroll down to the bottom of that page to see this material.

April 5^th:
Two important additions have been made to the site:
1. The grade percentages are now spelled out on the Information page.
2. Project details and requirements are now spelled out on the Projects page.

February 23^rd:
Midterm details added here.

January 28th: A number of additions and some changes have been made to fill out the schedules for the three quizzes, midterm, and project due dates.