Human Computer Interaction M.S.

Introduction

The Master’s of Science (M.S.) in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) aims to train students in core skills for human-computer interaction professionals: design methodologies, ethical and inclusive practices, prototyping and technical build skills, eliciting and integrating subject matter knowledge, user research methods, effective teamwork, professional communication, and career planning—all within the context of user experience (UX) and interaction. The curriculum is designed to accommodate students who have expertise in the social sciences, technical skills, and/or subject matter knowledge. Students with varying knowledge will be intentionally mixed together in coursework, in order to maximize peer learning and collaboration across strengths. The degree is offered in Santa Clara, California at the Silicon Valley Campus of UCSC, alongside the Games and Playable Media, and Natural Language Processing M.S. degrees, to enable students to connect and collaborate across programs and with local industry leaders.

The M.S. in Human Computer Interaction is a four-quarter program that begins in fall quarter, includes career planning courses and activities, and encourages student internships during summer. The HCI M.S. program is a Plan II master's program, which has a capstone requirement. Students are expected to complete coursework in four academic quarters, without leaves of absence.

Requirements

Course Requirements

All students are required to complete at least 53 credits for the M.S. The HCI MS program is a Plan II Masters program, which has a capstone requirement fulfilled via the HCI 271 and HCI 272 course sequence. The required courses are as follows:

All of the following courses:

Plus one of the following courses:

Plus this two-credit course which must be taken every academic quarter:

Two courses from the elective list below:

All students are required to enroll and pass (letter grade "B-" or better or an “S” grade) in a minimum of two elective courses chosen from the list in the catalog.

Master's Capstone Project

Completion of a master's capstone project is required for the M.S. degree. All students are required to take the capstone sequence (HCI 271 and HCI 272), in which they work in teams with industry, community, or faculty sponsors. The capstone is the culmination of the degree where student teams will cover the end-to-end design process of a product lifecycle using the skills they have developed throughout the M.S. degree. HCI 271 involves discovery, exploration, and research of the design space. HCI 272 involves prototyping, evaluation, and iteration. Both courses require students to develop and hone inclusive design practices, documentation and communication of design decisions to multiple stakeholders, and team professionalism.

During HCI 271, Capstone I, students form project teams with capstone sponsors (e.g., industry sponsors or faculty), develop a UX strategy, design and execute user research, analyze user data, and deliver polished user research deliverables to stakeholders. HCI 272, Capstone II, is a double-weighted course (10 credits) in which the same student teams produce a polished, high quality capstone project (e.g., high fidelity prototype, including design components) through extensive building of prototypes, user evaluations, and iterations of designs. The quarter culminates in a showcase where students communicate their work to stakeholders in multiple mediums.

Capstone sponsors are chosen at the discretion of the HCI vice chair, HCI executive director, and the HCI 271/HCI 272 instructors. Students may be provided the option to propose a sponsor which must be approved by instructors, by a deadline determined by instructors. Capstone student teams will ultimately be decided by instructors and will remain constant throughout the capstone sequence. In the case sponsors no longer can participate in either capstone class, instructors will reassign student teams to other sponsors as appropriate.

In the summer between HCI 271 and HCI 272 there may be opportunities to work independently with capstone sponsors or non-capstone related projects. The student is responsible for any agreement to do work with sponsors over the summer; the HCI M.S. program has no oversight nor role with such arrangements. Capstone-related work cannot be carried out during the summer without prior approval from capstone instructors.

Planners

There are two primary paths through the first year of the degree that require the same number of courses. Students with less technical background take HCI 202A, while those with more technical background take HCI 202B. Some electives are only offered in particular quarters/years; students should carefully plan for such electives before the first fall quarter. Students can refer to the Baskin Engineering Schedule of Classes and can contact the graduate advisor with questions. The sample programs include summer internships or sponsored projects. These are not required, and do not bear academic credit. They are, however, strongly recommended.

Sample program for students with less technical background

Sample program for students with more technical background

Transfer Credit

Up to three School of Engineering courses fulfilling the degree requirements of the M.S. degree may be taken before beginning the graduate program through the concurrent enrollment program. One of the two core introduction classes (Intro to Build, Intro to HCI Methods) may also be satisfied through courses from other institutions or prior UC Santa Cruz coursework. Petitions should be submitted along with the transcript from the other institution. For courses taken at other institutions, copies of the syllabi, examinations, and other coursework should accompany the petition. Such petitions are not considered until the completion of at least one quarter at UC Santa Cruz.

At most, a total of three courses may be transferred from concurrent enrollment and other institutions.

Review of Progress

On an ongoing basis, the faculty reviews the progress of every student so they remain on track to complete the degree in four consecutive academic quarters. Students not making adequate progress toward completion of degree requirements (see the Graduate Handbook for policy on satisfactory academic progress) are subject to dismissal from the program. Students with academic deficiencies may be required to take additional courses. Full-time students with no academic deficiencies are normally expected to complete the degree requirements at the rate of at least two courses per quarter, and move forward through the course sequences together with their cohort, remaining on track to complete the degree in a single four-quarter year.

Students receiving one unsatisfactory grades (U or grade below B) in a Baskin Engineering course are not making adequate progress and will be placed on academic notice for the following quarter of registered enrollment. Withdrawing or taking a leave of absence does not count as enrollment. Students who are on academic notice or are not enrolled full time are no longer guaranteed any previously committed funding. Should students receive an unsatisfactory grade (U or below B) in a Baskin Engineering course while on probation, the Computational Media Department may request the graduate dean to dismiss that student from the graduate program. If after being removed from probation, the student again receives an unsatisfactory grade (U or below B) in a Baskin Engineering course, he or she will return immediately to academic notice.

Graduate students experiencing circumstances or difficulties that impact their academic performance should contact their graduate advisor, the program vice chair, or the executive director immediately. Students may appeal their dismissal.

Applying for Graduation

Students planning to graduate should refer to the Baskin Engineering Graduate Studies website.