Key facts
UNE unit code: COSC570
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- UNE Sydney Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
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Almost all programs are written to be used by people to solve problems for people. The way that people can use, interact and work with programs is a fundamental part of the design of a program, not just a surface feature.
As our reliance on programs rapidly increases in all aspects of daily life, this unit equips you with the skills needed to design creative, elegant and useful programs.
Studying this unit, you will use design thinking processes to generate concepts for how people can interact with a program.
Applying theories of human computer interaction, your capacity to analyse, understand and inform the design of programs will be extended.
The unit also offers opportunities to fine tune your applied skills, developing interactive programs that use a variety of inputs, and using empirical tools to investigate how people interact with and use those programs.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
Trimester 1 | On Campus, UNE Sydney Campus |
Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
COSC570 requires a knowledge of, and programming experience with, a high level programming language. Experience with the use of the Linux/UNIX operating system is highly recommended.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
![profile photo of William Billingsley](https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0006/94317/varieties/69x77.jpg)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- analyse and critique human computer interaction experimental research literature in a problem domain;
- apply theories of human computer interaction to analyse and inform program designs;
- design interactive programs that use a variety of input techniques;
- empirically investigate how users respond to, think about, and interact with a program; and
- develop prototypes of new technology or applications for exploratory testing with users, in order to explore a complex design problem.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 | Yes | 5% | All offerings | Project concept presentation - 5 minutes. |
Assessment 2 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | User experience research and design project. |
Assessment 3 | Yes | 35% | All offerings | User experience research and design project. |
Assessment 4 | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Studio critique and feedback. |
Assessment 5 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Human-computer interaction research literature assignment No. words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction
ISBN: 9781119901099
Sharp, H., Preece, J. and Rogers, Y., Wiley 6th ed. 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
The Design of Everyday Things
ISBN: 9780465050659
Norman, D., New South Books Revised ed. 2013
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Referenced material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research
ISBN: 9780123848697
Goodman, E., Kuniavsky, M. and Moed, A., Elsevier 2nd ed. 2012
Text refers to: All offerings
About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design
ISBN: 9781118766576
Cooper, A., John Wiley 4th ed. 2014
Text refers to: All offerings
Designing User Experience: A Guide to HCI, UX and Interaction Design
ISBN: 9781292155517
Benyon, D., Pearson 4th ed. 2019
Text refers to: All offerings
Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction
ISBN: 9780470723371
Lazar, J., Feng, J.H. and Hochheiser, H., John Wiley 2010
Text refers to: All offerings
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Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
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