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COMP 482 Course Web site

Computer Science (COMP) 482
Human Factors in Computer Systems (Revision 2)

Revision 2 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version

Delivery mode: Individualized study online.

Credits: 3 - Science.

Prerequisite: COMP 308 and COMP 361.
Note: Students who are concerned about not meeting the prerequisites for this course are encouraged to contact the course coordinator before registering.

Centre: School of Computing and Information Systems

SCIS Orientation

COMP 482 has a Challenge for Credit option.

Course Web site

Overview

This course is intended to teach students to design user interfaces based on the capabilities of computer technology and the limitations of human factors. The student selects a project from one of three areas: developing a course module in XML, extending a VRML world, or developing a Java Internet application or applet. The project is developed over three tutor-marked exercises by a structured design process based on current Human-Computer Interaction principles. (Note: The course professor reserves the right to assign a project).

Outline

Unit 1: Foundations of Human Computer Interaction

  • Section 1: The Human
  • Section 2: The Computer
  • Section 3: The Human-Computer Interaction

Unit 2: Design Practice I

  • Section 1: Usability Paradigms and Principles
  • Section 2: The Design Process

Unit 3: Design Practice II

  • Section 1: Modelling the User
  • Section 2: Task Analysis
  • Section 3: Dialog Notations

Unit 4: Design Practice III

  • Section 1: Modelling the System
  • Section 2: Implementation Tools

Unit 5: Evaluation and User Support

  • Section 1: Evaluation Techniques
  • Section 2: Help and Documentation

Unit 6: Emerging Applications

  • Section 1: Groupware
  • Section 2: Computer Supported Collaborative Work
  • Section 3: New Interfaces
  • Section 4: Hypertext, Multimedia, and the World Wide Web
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Evaluation

To receive credit for COMP 482, you much achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent), including a grade of 50 percent on the final examination and a grade of at least 50 percent on each of the assignments. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Quiz 1 TME 1 TME 2 TME 3 Exam Total
5% 18%
(Unit 2) 		12%
(Unit 4)		 25%
(Unit 5)		 40% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G., and Beale, R. (1998). Human Computer Interaction. 2nd ed., Toronto: ON. Prentice Hall.

Special Course Features

The remainder of the learning materials for Computer Science 482 are distributed in electronic format. Those materials will include:

  • Computer Science 482 Study Guide.
  • Detailed descriptions of the requirements for the individual tutor-marked exercises.
  • A course evaluation form is on the World Wide Web.

Additional supporting materials of interest to students of Computer Science 482 may occasionally be made available electronically.

Computer Science 482 is offered by computer mediated communications (CMC) mode and can be completed at the student's workplace or home.

Students are expected to supply their own software for their projects. Adequate Java software is available free from Sun Microsystems. XML software is also available free over the net. Students may have to purchase VRML software to complete a VRML project. Students' computer must have a sound card and speakers.

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