Human Computer Interaction
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a distinctive branch of computer science dedicated to understanding the relationship between people and computers. It provides a set of techniques that enable software engineers to develop computing applications that better respond to the needs, abilities and interests of customers, clients and end-users. This module provides theoretical grounding, practical knowledge, and hands on experience of key skills needed to design and build better interfaces for computing systems. The module addresses core areas of the ACM SIGCHI Curricula for Human-Computer Interaction and is intended for students with no prior experience in Human Computer Interaction. The module covers the following core topics: 1. Human cognition and models of interaction 2. Usability and user experience 3. Interface design using user-centred and iterative methods 4. Interface development and rapid prototyping 5. Experimental design and statistics for HCI 6. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation strategies This module will also emphasise the overlap between HCI and software engineering, and consider ways in which interface and software lifecycles can complement and hinder the development of effective interfaces. Please note: This module is an introductory module. It is not appropriate for students with prior experience of human computer interaction, e.g. those who have previously taken a module in human computer interaction, interaction design, or user experience.
Comments
Anonymous Student
Apr 30, 2026
took this class with David Coyle. loved it. interesting, good assessment.
Anonymous Student
Feb 20, 2026
The absolute worst module I've ever taken in UCD. The lecture slides are so poorly put together and going to in-person lectures doesn't help either - the lecturer is incredibly boring and always gives the impression that she doesn't understand the material herself and just fluffs through every slide (even though I get she actually does understand the topics, that doesn't really help if your goal is to teach students). If you're doing Computer Science don't be fooled by the module code - this is NOT a "comp" module. It's more like Junior Cert business, except even more vague and abstract. There's no structure to any chapters or topics, just thousands of keywords with loose airy-fairy definitions you have to waffle about to fill out paragraphs in the final exam. The group project is to design a UI for an app, but the brief is so non-descriptive and there's a requirement for an 8+ page paper in a very specific and difficult to use LaTeX format (i.e. torture). They take attendance at the practical sessions, despite them being completely pointless. One week we built a bridge out of spaghetti and marshmallows - felt like I was back in TY. The practicals don't help with the lecture / exam content, or the group project (Suppose they're a good forced weekly meeting for the group, but still). A 300 word reflection of the week's activities is required by every student every week too. Also, there's one or more full chapters (proper big chapters, 2000+ words X ~20 readings) of compulsory reading every week which actually is necessary as more than half of the final exam is based around this (also because the lecture slides themselves are mostly just non-clickable links to unhelpful YouTube videos rather than information). Do not do this module under any circumstances. If you're like I was (actually interested in learning about UI / UX design in Computer Science) literally any other way of learning that would be better than this. Avoid avoid avoid.