Department of Informatics, Umeå UniversityUmeå UniversityUmeå University

hem | för våra studenter | kurser vt 2009 | usability and user experience design

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Usability and User Experience Design

The course examines methods and techniques regarding usability and user experience design. Throughout the course, we will focus on artifacts where the user experience is of its essence. Historically, usability has mainly concerned aspects such as efficiency, learnability, etc. However, nowadays other aspects are also of important for the usability of artifacts: for example playability, engagement and esthetics. The students will experience usability evaluation of both traditional artifacts and artifacts for which user experience is central.

Expected study outcomes
After a completed course the student will be able to:

  • Give an account of, and apply, knowledge of (user) experiences in relation to interaction and usability.
  • Describe the relation between design and evaluation in IT design projects, especially the relation between usability and user experience.
  • Through theoretical knowledge of evaluation methods and the student’s own experience of evaluation; estimate the quality of performed usability evaluations of IT-artifacts.
  • Independently outline, conduct and report both an expert evaluation and an empirical usability evaluation of IT-artifacts for which user experience is a central aspect.
  • Independently and actively inform and evaluate current research within the area of usability and user experience design.


Level of Education: Advanced level

Eligibility: Prerequisites for the course are 45 credits in Informatics, Computer Science or Cognitive Science, or equivalent, including at least one course (7.5 credits) in Human-Computer Interaction, or equivalent. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic Training –minimum score 5.0 with no individual score below 4.5 (Tests taken before January 2005 not admissible or TOEFL – minimum score 500 on paper based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, Alternatively 173 on computer based test with iBT61 is also required as well as basic entrance requirements for higher studies in Swedish language proficiency if the course is taught in Swedish).