Program Overview

Human-Computer Interaction & Design Program

The Human-Computer Interaction and Design (HCID) program is a master's program that focuses on developing intuitive user interfaces and easy-to-use interactive systems. The program is interdisciplinary, with courses on design and evaluation of interactive systems and a strong emphasis on user-centered design techniques.

Program Overview

The HCID program is developed and co-funded through the European Union's Digital Europe Programme Project. The program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to design systems that define the interaction between humans and computers.

First-Year Program at POLIMI

The first-year program of HCID at Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) provides 60 ECTS. The program includes a technical common base in Computer Science and Engineering, with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction (36 ECTS); the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Minor (20 ECTS); and a thematic I&E Summer School (4 ECTS).

Multidisciplinary Context

The HCID program is part of a multidisciplinary research group, led by Franca Garzotto, which includes students from the Master and Doctoral Schools, Research Assistants, and external consultants with heterogeneous backgrounds. The program also collaborates with the Hint Lab, led by Maristella Matera, which focuses on human-centered processes for the design of interactive technologies.

Program Structure

The first-year program at POLIMI includes the following courses:

• Technical Major - mandatory courses (26 ECTS)
  • Advanced User Interfaces (6 ECTS)
  • Software Engineering II (5 ECTS)
  • Data Bases II (5 ECTS)
  • Computing Infrastructures (5 ECTS)
  • Multimodal Interactive Technologies and Applications (5 ECTS)
• Technical Major - HCI electives (10 ECTS)
  • Design and Implementation of Mobile Applications (5 ECTS)
  • Videogame Design and Programming (5 ECTS)
  • Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (5 ECTS)
  • Recommender Systems (5 ECTS)
  • Multidisciplinary Project (5 ECTS)
  • Interaction Design Studio (5 ECTS)
  • Robotics and Design (5 ECTS)
  • Process and Service Design (5 ECTS)
  • Machine Learning (5 ECTS)
  • Philosophical Issues of Computer Science (5 ECTS)
  • Computer Graphics (5 ECTS)
• I&E Minor - mandatory courses (24 ECTS)
  • I&E Basics (5 ECTS)
  • High-Tech Startups: creating and scaling up (5 ECTS)
  • High-Tech Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)
  • Digital Business (5 ECTS)
  • I&E Business Development Lab (10 ECTS)
  • Digital Business Lab (10 ECTS)
  • I&E complementary skills (5 ECTS)
  • Inclusive Digital Technologies (5 ECTS)
• I&E Summer School (4 ECTS)

Second Year Abroad

During the second year, students have the option to specialize in one of the technical areas offered by their respective Exit Universities, providing 30 ECTS of exams + 30 ECTS for the Thesis.

Double Degree

At the end of the program, a Master degree will be awarded by both universities involved in the mobility pathway. Additionally, students will receive an "EIT label" certificate, which attests to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship skills acquired during the program.

EIT Label

The EIT Label is a seal of quality for entrepreneurial education, recognizing education programs that develop practical skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. The label is granted by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and guarantees hands-on experience across Europe, preparing students for their chosen sector and connecting them to like-minded people.