Module Details

Module Code: COMP7042
Title: Methods in User Experience
Long Title: Methods in User Experience
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4811 - Computer Science
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module focuses on the practical application of usability engineering techniques to the design of the user experience of software interfaces. Students are expected to gather and analyse requirements for a prototype software application, to fully design and evaluate that prototype, and to prepare reports documenting all of these stages.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse usability requirements gathered for a software application.
LO2 Build an interface prototype to aid in design.
LO3 Critically evaluate interface prototypes.
LO4 Prepare professional reports on requirements, modelling and evaluation of a software application interface.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
7060 SOFT8012 Practical Interface Design
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction
User experience; Overview of usability; Usability Engineering: process, lifecycle, Usability heuristics/guidelines.
Requirements gathering and Analysis
Usability requirements gathering and analysis: setting usability goals, competitive analysis - analysis of several competitors' products, Context of Use - characterisation of intended direct and indirect users, characterisation of tasks, description of physical and equipmental environment. Task analysis: refinement of requirements through analysis of information needs of user and software. Production of professional requirements report documentation.
Interface Modelling
Interface prototyping techniques (paper and interactive prototypes); link with use cases; UI Design patterns. Production of professional prototype report documentation.
Usability Evaluation
Usability Inspection and Usability Testing. Description and Application of Usability Inspection techniques: Heuristic Evaluation, Cognitive Walkthrough. Production of professional evaluation report documentation.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,4
Assessment Description
Individual interface design - stage 1: Requirements Analysis. Use standard methods to gather, analyse and report on requirements.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
Individual interface Design - Stage 2: Task analysis; Prototyping: Develop and describe a prototype using standard development methods.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Individual Interface Design - Stage 3: Evaluation: Evaluate and report on a prepared prototype using standard methods.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of indicative content and description of practical tasks: direction on gathering and analysing requirements, designing prototypes, and evaluation. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practical application of gathering and analysing requirements, designing prototypes, evaluation, and documentation of these. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Research, gathering and analysing requirements, designing prototypes, evaluation, and documentation. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of indicative content and description of practical tasks: direction on gathering and analysing requirements, designing prototypes, and evaluation. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practical application of gathering and analysing requirements, designing prototypes, evaluation, and documentation of these. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Research, gathering and analysing requirements, designing prototypes, evaluation, and documentation. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Unger, R. & Chandler, C.. (2012), A Project Guide to UX Design: For User Experience Designers in the Field or in the Making, 2nd. New Riders (Pearson Education), [ISBN: 9780321815385].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Garrett, J.J.. (2011), The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web and Beyond, 2nd. New Riders (Pearson Education), [ISBN: 9780321683687].
  • Shneiderman, B. et al.. (2016), Designing the User Interface, 6th. Pearson Education, [ISBN: 9780134380834].
  • Buley, L.. (2013), The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide, Louis Rosenfield, [ISBN: 9781933820187].
  • Krug, S.. (2014), Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 3rd. New Riders (Pearson Education), [ISBN: 9780321965516].
  • Nielsen, Jacob. (1994), Usability Engineering, Academic Press, [ISBN: 9780125184069].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KWEBD_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Web Development 4 Mandatory