General Information

Human Computer Interaction and Information Visualization is concerned with the man-machine interfaces for interaction with information displays. Every system equipped with a microprocessor has some kind of user interface for its operation; this is particularly so for those systems that require lots of interaction for its normal operation: i.e. computers and computer programs.

Human Computer Interaction and Information Visualization will cover various aspects of the interaction between a human operator and a computer system in the task of information visualization. In the lectures the underlying principles for the design of interactive computer interfaces are being discussed. This includes aspects of human perception, cognitive processes and memory load but also subjects that are more directed to user interface design, i.e. metaphores, widgets, windowing systems and object orientation and information visualization. In a modern approach of Computer Interaction, the user is the pivot of the design trajectory. Design methods are based on this principle and this will be clear in discussion of task analysis, prototyping, evaluation and usability.

Students taking this course either the regular Computer Science (CS) programme, the BioInformatics programme, the Computer Science and Economy programme. the Minor Computer Science and the Mediatechnology (MT) programme. The course consists of two parts: (1) Interactive Information Visualization Theory, and (2) practical assignments. The assignments will be available at the regular pages for this course.

The course starts with a series of lectures and after completion of this series (October), the emphasis will be on the practical part. The practical part will be done in teams of two persons and each of the teams will have to present their respective projects as enrolled from their assignments. This is beneficial for students working on projects (presentation skills and feedback) as well as to the other students (exercise in interface evaluation and inspiration for their own projects). The presentations are scheduled at the same time and place as the normal lecture-hours. Appointments regarding the date for this presentation will be made after evaluation of your work plan. There is an arrangement for attendance in these workgroup-presentations.

This course will be mostly "hands-on", i.e. students will be required to design, implement, evaluate and submit their own Information Displays (of various sorts). Grades are determined by the quality of the practical work, as well as by a test on the theory of Interaction and Information Visualization. Theoretical concepts regarding the design and implementation will be discussed in the lectures. The majority of this course involves practical work: designing interactive information displays of various sorts.
The theory part is examined through a series of 4 tests. These tests are taken in the beginning of a lecture as indicated in the schedule. The average of the 4 tests should be higher then 5.5.
The following key is used for calculation of the grade:

The average of the written tests counts for 35% and the assignment adds 65% (for a total of 10 points). Both the theory and the assignment should be passed (grades >= 5.5) to pass the course. Attendance of the student presentations is obligatory and therefore taken into account in the assignment grade.