MAGIC Specialization in Human Computer Interaction UBC Masters-level students from any department at UBC are eligible to apply for a Specialization in Human Computer Interaction that recognizes their accomplishments and abilities in the area of human-centred design.
Our joint courses are/have been:
CPSC 532 (201): Topics in AI: User-Adaptive Systems and Intelligent Learning Environments (Conati) The objective of the course is to understand how Artificial Intelligence techniques can be used to design knowledge-based, adaptive systems that provide the user with individualized support for complex learning and reasoning tasks. Effectively tackling these challenges requires a strongly interdisciplinary effort that integrates research in different areas of Artificial Intelligence (e.g., knowledge representation, problem solving, natural language, planning and plan recognition, probabilistic reasoning and cognitive modelling) with research in Human Computer Interaction and Cognitive Science. During the course we will explore major work in the field of intelligent interfaces and tutoring systems and we will learn how to build and evaluate one.
CPSC 532E (202): Perceptual Issues in Visual Interface Design (Rensink) This course discusses and applies relevant work in perceptual psychology to the design of advanced visual interfaces and information visualization systems. Some applications to computer graphics (e.g., rendering and animation) are also covered. The focus of the course is on design constraints and guidelines rather than implementation. Basic methodology (design and analysis of experiments) is also introduced.
CPSC 544: Human-Computer Interaction Overview of HCI – historical and intellectual perspective; emergence of graphical user interfaces; case studies. The Process of Developing Interactive Systems – design and evaluation; considering work contexts in design; software development environments; development tools. Interacting with Computers – vision, graphi cs design, and visual display; touch, gesture, and marking; speech, language, and audition. Psychology and Human Factors – human information processing; design ing to fit human capabilities. Research Frontiers in Human-Computer Interaction – groupware and computer-supported cooperative work; customizable systems and intelligent agents; hypertext and multimedia; virtual reality and cyberspace.
CPSC 554 (201): Topics in HCI: Physical User Interface Design & Evaluation (MacLean)This is a graduate-level introduction to the inception, creation and evaluation of physical and multimodal human-computer interfaces, emphasizing control and/or display virtual environments through the sense of touch. It will begin with lectures, assignments, reading and discussion of current literature, and culminate in a design or evaluation project of the student’s choice. Projects may employ available active-haptic display hardware (“active” means it can generate force), and/or prototyping of passive physical interfaces; they should focus on creative crafting of the interface to suit the application.
CPSC 554 (202): Topics in HCI: Information Visualization (Rensink) [description coming]
EECE 518: Human Interface Technologies (Fels) This course presents important developments in human interface technologies. The course begin with an overview of human sensation, perception, and kinetics. The remainder of the course is divided between a discussion of input technologies and output technologies. First, developments in input technologies are considered. Various input devices and metaphors will be studied along with methods for evaluating how successful they are. Second, developments in output technologies are studied. In addition to the specific technologies for various display techniques, emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the technologies as well as the interactions with various input devices will be covered. The course project involves the creation of a novel input device, a novel output device, a novel interaction technique or the evaluation of a current device.
PSYC 516: Animal Learning, Memory, and Cognition
PSYC 578: Perceptual Processes I An introduction to human perception from a multidisciplinary perspective. The major theme of the course varies from year to year. This year (2002) the focus will be on Visual Perception and the Visual Arts. Questions considered include: Is a science of art possible? What might a science of art look like? Is there a relation between what artists do and how the visual brain functions? Is it possible to ‘diagnose the canvas?’ What is the purpose of art from a neurobiological perspective? These questions arise from an emerging interest in the Cognitive Sciences in visual art and several recent and provocative theoretical pronouncements from Cognitive and Neuro scientists. They are also a useful ‘hook,’ providing an engaging opportunity to learn the basics of modern vision science. These topics include color, objects, attention, time, space, motion, imagination, and consciousness.
PSYC 579: Special Topics in Perception: Visual Display Design This course discusses (i) how knowledge of vision science can be applied to the design of visual displays, and (ii) how knowledge of visual design can form the basis of investigations in vision science. Areas of visual science that are covered include both low- and mid-level processes–e.g., colour perception, motion perception, object recognition, and visually-guided action. Application areas include maps & diagrams, cartoons, information visualization, computer animation, visual interfaces, and graphic design. The approach will show how the disciplines of psychology and computer science can usefully interact via general design constraints and guidelines that are based upon the nature of human perceptual mechanisms.
PSYC 582: Cognitive Processes I This course is in cognitive processes that emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to human conciousness.
MAGIC Courses & Community outreach MAGIC is committed to building off-campus programs to complement and extend its UBC offerings. MAGIC courses have been taught jointly with SFU at their Burnaby, Harbour Centre, and Surrey campuses. MAGIC is active in the Great Northern Way (GNW) initiative, and was the first academic unit at UBC to teach a course at GNW.
THTR 408A/507 Advanced Study in Design and Scenography: TOPIC: Mediative Bodies Mediative
THTR 408A/507 Advanced Study in Design and Scenography: TOPIC: Interactive Scenography and Theatrical Ecology