Human Computer Interaction

Overview

You will also have the opportunity to broaden your studies on our Human Computer Interaction Masters/MSc through an optional module in areas such as Robotics. The Human Computer Interaction course from University of Birmingham builds upon the world-class research of the HCI Centre through project work and is designed to prepare you for a career in research or in industry or commerce.

The discipline of Human Computer Interaction is about many things: It is about the interface that a system provides (and, therefore, is the most important and most complex component of most systems) but it is also about so much more. We need to understand the people that use the systems and their abilities and constraints. We need to understand how to build systems that really work and also how to evaluate them. We also need to be able to think creatively in order to build innovative solutions to new problems and emerging applications and domains - to be able to solve the problems of tomorrow’s world rather than just those of today.

This course covers the underpinning theories, methodologies and practices of HCI. It includes specialist modules in application domains. Through course and project work your degree is intimately integrated into the research of the University’s HCI centre.

What can I do with a postgraduate degree in Computer Science?

Our graduates find themselves in a variety of environments within academia, research, industry, government and private organisations. The following is a short list of research and vocational areas:

• Software Engineering: developing methods for producing software systems on time, within budget and with few or no defects
• Software Applications: applying computing and technology to solving problems outside the computer field, eg, in education or medicine
• Computer/Cyber Security: covers all the processes and mechanisms by which computer-based equipment, information and services are protected from unintended and unauthorised access, change or destruction
• Artificial Intelligence: developing computers that simulate human learning and reasoning ability
• Information Technology: developing and managing information systems that support a business or organisation
• Theoretical Computer Science: investigating the fundamental theories of how computers solve problems and applying the results to other areas of computer science
• Operating Systems and Networks: developing the basic software computers use to organise themselves or to communicate with other computers