Program Overview

---

Human-Computer Interaction Program

The Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) program at Carnegie Mellon University is a fast-growing field devoted to the design, implementation, and evaluation of interactive computer-based technology. The program offers a primary major in HCI, an additional major in Interdisciplinary HCI, and a minor in Interdisciplinary HCI.

Overview of the Primary Major in HCI

The primary major in HCI is designed to produce HCI specialists who are technically skilled and adept at designing and prototyping interactive solutions with the latest digital technologies. Students graduating from the HCI primary major will have a unique perspective on how digital products and services impact humans, and also how they can be designed to have a positive impact.

Curriculum for the Primary Major in HCI

The primary major in HCI requires a minimum of 360 units distributed as follows:

• CS Core: 5 courses + freshman immigration course
• Core @ CMU: 3 units
• Mathematics and Statistics: 4 courses
• HCI Core: 6 courses
• Psychology: 1 course
• HCI Electives: 3 courses
• SCS Elective: 1 course
• HCI Capstone Project: 1 course
• Free Electives: 4 courses
• Science and Engineering: 4 courses
• Humanities and Arts (Gen Ed): 7 courses

Computer Science Core

The Computer Science Core consists of 5 courses, including:

• 15-112: Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science
• 07-131: Great Practical Ideas for Computer Scientists
• 15-122: Principles of Imperative Computation
• 15-150: Principles of Functional Programming
• 15-151: Mathematical Foundations for Computer Science

Mathematics and Statistics Core

The Mathematics and Statistics Core consists of 4 courses, including:

• 21-120: Differential and Integral Calculus
• 21-122: Integration and Approximation
• 21-259: Calculus in Three Dimensions
• Select one of the following courses:
  • 15-259: Probability and Computing
  • 21-325: Probability
  • 36-218: Probability Theory for Computer Scientists
  • 36-225: Introduction to Probability Theory
  • 36-226: Introduction to Statistical Inference
  • 36-401: Modern Regression

HCI Core

The HCI Core consists of 6 courses, including:

• Research & Evaluation Courses (2):
  • 05-410: User-Centered Research and Evaluation
  • Select one:
    • 36-202: Methods for Statistics & Data Science
    • 36-315: Statistical Graphics and Visualization
    • 70-208: Regression Analysis
• Ideation & Design Courses (2):
  • 05-360: Interaction Design Fundamentals
  • Select one:
    • 05-361: Advanced Interaction Design
    • 05-315: Persuasive Design
    • 05-317: Design of Artificial Intelligence Products
    • 05-418: Design Educational Games
    • 05-452: Service Design
    • 05-470: Digital Service Innovation
• Technical Core (2):
  • 05-380: Prototyping Algorithmic Experiences
  • 05-431: Software Structures for User Interfaces

Psychology

The Psychology course requirement can be fulfilled by selecting one of the following courses:

• 85-110: Cognitive Psychology
• 85-150: Social Psychology
• 85-213: Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence
• 85-251: Personality
• 85-213: Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence
• 85-421: Language and Thought
• 85-413: Perception
• 88-120: Reason, Passion and Cognition

HCI Electives

HCI majors must take three HCI-related electives (9 units or more). Electives are intended to provide additional major students with advanced concepts and skills relevant to HCI or breadth of experience not available from their primary major.

SCS Elective

The SCS Elective can be from any SCS department; 200-level or above, at least 9 units.

HCI Capstone Project

The HCI Capstone Project is a required course that involves working on a substantial team project to apply classroom knowledge in analysis and evaluation, implementation and design.

Additional Major in Interdisciplinary HCI

The Additional Major in Interdisciplinary Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is available to current undergraduate students from any CMU college. The additional major consists of 12 prerequisite and required courses.

Curriculum for the Additional Major in Interdisciplinary HCI

The curriculum for the additional major in Interdisciplinary HCI includes:

• Prerequisite Courses (4):
  • Introductory statistics course
  • Psychology
  • Freshman-level programming course
  • 05-360: Interaction Design Fundamentals
• HCI Core Courses (4):
  • 05-410: User-Centered Research and Evaluation
  • An Advanced Design course
  • 05-391: Designing Human-Centered Software or 05-380: Prototyping Algorithmic Experiences or 05-431: Software Structures for User Interfaces
  • 05-571: Undergraduate Project in HCI (Capstone)

Minor in Interdisciplinary HCI

The Minor in Interdisciplinary Human-Computer Interaction will give students core knowledge about techniques for building successful user interfaces, approaches for conceiving, refining, and evaluating interfaces that are useful and useable, and techniques for identifying opportunities for computational technology to improve the quality of people’s lives.

Curriculum for the Minor in Interdisciplinary HCI

The curriculum for the minor in Interdisciplinary HCI includes:

• Prerequisite (select one):
  • 15-110: Principles of Computing
  • 15-112: Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science
  • 15-121: Introduction to Data Structures
  • 15-104: Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice
• Core Courses:
  • 05-391: Designing Human Centered Software
  • 05-360: Interaction Design Fundamentals
• Electives:
  • HCI minor students must take four HCI-related electives (9 units or more)

Human-Computer Interaction Courses

The Human-Computer Interaction program offers a variety of courses, including:

• 05-090: Human-Computer Interaction Practicum
• 05-180: Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
• 05-200: Ethics and Policy Issues in Computing
• 05-291: Learning Media Design
• 05-315: Persuasive Design
• 05-317: Design of Artificial Intelligence Products
• 05-318: Human AI Interaction
• 05-319: Data Visualization
• 05-320: Social Web
• 05-332: Introduction to Accessibility and Assistive Technology
• 05-333: Gadgets, Sensors and Activity Recognition in HCI
• 05-341: Organizational Communication
• 05-360: Interaction Design Fundamentals
• 05-361: Advanced Interaction Design
• 05-362: Transformational Game Design Studio
• 05-380: Prototyping Algorithmic Experiences
• 05-391: Designing Human Centered Software
• 05-395: Applications of Cognitive Science
• 05-410: User-Centered Research and Evaluation
• 05-413: Human Factors
• 05-418: Design Educational Games
• 05-431: Software Structures for User Interfaces
• 05-432: Personalized Online Learning
• 05-434: Machine Learning in Practice
• 05-435: Applied Fabrication for HCI
• 05-436: Usable Privacy and Security
• 05-440: Interaction Techniques
• 05-452: Service Design
• 05-470: Digital Service Innovation
• 05-499: HCII Special Topics
• 05-540: Rapid Prototyping of Computer Systems
• 05-571: Undergraduate Project in HCI
• 05-589: Independent Study in HCI-UG
• 05-600: HCI Pro Seminar
• 05-602: IDeATe: Learning in Museums
• 05-610: User-Centered Research and Evaluation
• 05-615: Persuasive Design
• 05-618: Human AI Interaction
• 05-619: Data Visualization
• 05-632: Introduction to Accessibility and Assistive Technology
• 05-660: Interaction Design Fundamentals
• 05-661: Advanced Interaction Design
• 05-662: Transformational Game Design Studio
• 05-670: Digital Service Innovation
• 05-674: Ethics and Policy Issues in Computing
• 05-680: Independent Study in HCI - METALS
• 05-685: Prototyping Algorithmic Experiences
• 05-738: Evidence-Based Educational Design
• 05-823: E-Learning Design Principles and Methods
• 05-839: Interactive Data Science
• 05-840: Tools for Online Learning