Curriculum

Type of Study

Full Time

Duration

4 Semesters

Credits

120 ECTS

Language

English

The University of Siegen offers a master’s program curriculum focused on advanced topics in the student’s chosen field. The program spans two years and includes interdisciplinary exploration, critical thinking, and practical experience opportunities. Elective courses allow students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.

Students are required to complete a total of 120 Credit Points (ECTS) in order to successfully pass the HCI Master’s program.

It is important to note that only the courses listed in the Basics of HCI catalogue and one module from the Consolidation area are mandatory for all students. Students are free to choose courses from all other columns.

Summary of courses
❕Please refer to the study overview for a comprehensive idea of your program structure.

Human-Computer Interaction
Analysis and Evaluation
User Experience Design
Psychology
Ubiquitous Computing + Usable Security – Optional
CSCL + CSCW – Optional
Practice Projects A + B + C
Interdisciplinary Contexts of HCI I + II
Current Research Seminar Modules I + II + III
Internship – Optional
Master Thesis

Useful links and documents

→ Study overview
→ Exam regulations
→ Prüfungsanmeldung
→ Exam registration form

Academic Advisors

Débora de Castro Leal
Leonie Jahn

Office hours: Tuesdays 10:00 – 14:00

Please check out our responses to common questions first FAQs

For technical problems, please contact Unisono support: unisonosupport@zv.uni-siegen.de

Example of curriculum

Please note that the shown study order does not have to be adhered to and can be adapted to individual interests and chosen specialization.

First Semester

Human Computer Interaction
4.5 ECTS
module Humans & Technology
*Winter semester

Analysis & Evaluation
4.5 ECTS
module Humans & Technology
*Winter semester

Ubiquitous Computing
4.5 ECTS
module Ubiquitous Computing & Usable Security

Usable Security
4.5 ECTS
module Ubiquitous Computing & Usable Security

Practice Project of your choice
9 ECTS
module Project A

Seminar of your choice
3 ECTS
module Current Research in HCI I

Second Semester

User Experience Design
4.5 ECTS
module Design & Psychology
*Summer semester

Psychology
4.5 ECTS
module Design & Psychology
*Summer semester

Practice Project of your choice
9 ECTS
module Project B

Seminar of your choice
3 ECTS
module Current Research in HCI II

Embedded Control
9 ECTS
module Interdisciplinary
Contexts of HCI Ia

Third Semester

Practice Project of your choice
9 ECTS
module Project C

HCI Internship
6 ECTS

Introduction to Programming
9 ECTS
module Interdisciplinary
Contexts of HCI IIa

Fourth Semester

Master Thesis
30 ECTS

Courses

The following courses and/or modules descriptions are summaries, complemented by students‘ comments. A more formal, detailed course description can be found in the examination regulations. Students are required to complete a total of 120 LP in order to successfully pass the HCI Master’s program.

Basics of HCI

Attendance at these lectures (18 ECTS) is mandatory for all students studying HCI. This is where the fundamental principles of HCI, encompassing both theoretical and practical aspects, are established. The lectures cover a wide range of topics, including a comprehensive exploration of HCI, user experience, as well as other relevant areas such as research methodology and sketching techniques.

Human-Computer Interaction

The newly introduced HCI lecture serves as a unifying platform for all incoming HCI students, ensuring they start on an equal footing. The primary focus is on User Centered Design, which means involving users in creating and improving things. It also includes studying people and their behaviors, i.e., through Ethnography, to understand their needs better.

Analysis and Evaluation

Analysis and Evaluation is thematically divided into two parts. In the first part, the focus is on important usability models, standards, and procedures. A collaborating work with the “Fraunhofer Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik” takes place for this purpose, which assigns the nationwide most known usability certificate. The second part of the course covers research methods for studying usability, such as workshops, focus groups, and interviews, as well as related sociological analysis methods. Whenever possible, we apply these methods to real-life situations and involve actual people in our studies.

User Experience Design

The User Experience Design (UXD) lecture has its primary focus on positive user experience, especially on how good UX mainframes are assembled in the design and development process. The lecture emphasizes the use of creative techniques, prototyping, and sketching to achieve this goal. Throughout the semester, students work in a group or individually on a UX design project. These projects can be based on either personally chosen topics or real research projects. The students plan and develop a technical system, aiming to create a prototype that aligns with user needs.

Psychology

This lecture covers a variety of topics related to organizations. It explores the concepts of experience and behavior within organizations. The lecture delves into different theories of organizational management, including Scientific Management (Taylorism, Fordism), Human Relations, and Bureaucracy. It also examines aspects such as group work, virtual teams, and group dynamics.

The lecture discusses emerging forms of work and action regulation, as well as organizational development and learning. Additionally, it addresses organizational and technical development, work analysis, assessment, and work design. The topics of work and health, as well as legal and ethical considerations, are also covered.

Consolidation

Students are required to select one of these modules (9 ECTS) for specialization. They have the choice to focus on either psychological or technological aspects, allowing them to delve deeper into the various possibilities offered by HCI.

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning / CSCL

Learning processes are crucial in understanding how users adapt to new systems, which is at the core of HCI concerns. Therefore, the Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) lectures provide an overview of different behaviorism learning theories, including the most recent models, and establish connections between them. These lecture has a significant focus on learning with digital media.

Computer Supported Collaborative Work / CSCW

The CSCW lecture covers fundamental concepts related to software architectures for both synchronous and asynchronous group work, workflow management, and organizational and technology design. It also includes an introduction to theoretical and methodological aspects of ethnographic and human-centered research, as well as organizational theories. The lecture provides an overview of workflow management systems, media spaces, cooperative virtual environments (CVE), and groupware systems. It explores topics such as supporting group awareness, understanding its purpose, functionality, and benefits.

Additionally, students learn about development methods for cooperative systems and gain insights into the broader theoretical framework of “Integrated Organizational and Technology Design.” By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of cooperative work processes and will be equipped with the knowledge to support and evaluate them within socio-technical systems. They will also be familiar with relevant applications in this field.

Ubiquitous Computing

The course introduces Ubiquitous Computing, focusing on mobile and wearable devices, communication, sensors, and context. It covers the design and development of user interfaces for ubiquitous and wearable devices. Moreover, the course addresses security and privacy considerations in the context of Ubiquitous Computing.

Usable Security

This course is divided into two main parts. The first part consists of six lectures that cover topics like fake reviews and qualitative research methods. The second part involves a group project focused on qualitative research. During this project, you will work together with your group members to conduct research, write a detailed report, and present your findings to the class.

Practice

The program places significant importance on practical work right from the start. Through three projects (A, B, and C) spread across the program (27 ECTS), you will have the opportunity to apply the methodologies learned in the lectures. Each semester, a diverse range of projects will be available, allowing you to choose and specialize in a topic that interests you. These projects can be undertaken individually or in small groups. They offer the possibility of developing tangible outcomes such as concepts, products, prototypes, or similar deliverables.

Current Research in HCI

To fulfill the requirements, students need to earn 18 ECTS. They have two options: choose three modules or select two modules along with an internship. Each module comprises two seminars that can be combined independently. Every semester, a variety of seminars are available, specifically designed for HCI and deriving from student requests. Previous examples of this include:

🔹Sustainability in HCI
🔹Children and technology
🔹Interaction with automation
🔹Design Fiction for research
🔹IT for the Ageing Society
🔹Creative methods for Smart Living

*Please note that every semester a variety of new seminars are available in Unisono.

The seminars in this field provide a comprehensive exploration of HCI topics, with each student assigned a specific topic to research independently. They are supported by the seminar teacher and are expected to study relevant literature. The findings are typically presented by the students during the seminar, followed by group discussions and a written assignment.

Internship

The practical relevance of the HCI Master course is highly emphasized. To reflect this, an internship is included in the curriculum and carries an appropriate number of credit points. The internship must be a minimum of six weeks long and can be completed in either a domestic or foreign company, or a foreign research institution. It is not possible to divide the internship period into separate intervals.

Before starting the internship, it is important to consult with the Academic Advisor for a preliminary discussion to ensure you are making the right decision and adhering to the Internship Regulations. After completing the internship, a post-internship talk will take place where you will discuss your internship experience and submit an internship report to your Advisor. Both discussions are essential for the recognition of your internship within the Master’s program.

Interdisciplinary Contexts

To fulfill the requirements in this area (18 ECTS), students are required to complete modules from other faculties that are thematically related to HCI. They have the option to choose between two modules, each worth 9 ECTS or three modules, each worth 6 ECTS.

Here is an overview of the current interdisciplinary modules and how they should be taken. The overview will be continuously expanded whenever new modules are added.

Master Thesis

The master thesis is the final project in the scientific HCI program and serves as an evaluation of the student’s capabilities. It should showcase the student’s ability to independently address a problem within the HCI field using scientific methods, while also effectively documenting and reflecting on the process. The specific topic of the thesis is determined through discussions between the student and their supervisor.