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Course Description:

This course introduces the principles and fundamentals of human factors and human-computer interaction relative to interactive computer graphics applications and their associated interfaces. Principles and methodologies of usability and performance testing are used to highlight relationships between various components of human factors, design, and cognitive psychology in the development of computer graphics-related applications for the purposes of understanding, assessment, and validation. A variety of assessment and validation methodologies are applied to the development of a broad range of interactive multimedia applications.

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding for the underlying human factors as they relate to computer graphics and associated interfaces.
2. Evaluate design solutions and appropriate uses of graphic elements for interface design.
3. Develop prototype interfaces for a variety of interactive applications.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of testing and assessment methodologies for computer graphics interfaces at all stages of production.
5. Develop and implement usability and assessment tests to validate various interface solutions at all stages of production.
6. Explore, absorb, and retain the knowledge concerning leading-edge research in human factors as applied to applied computer graphics and interface design.

Course Textbooks:

Required Books:

Title: Introduction to Human Factors Engineering (2nd Edition)
Author: Christopher D. Wickens, John D. Lee, Yili Liu, Sallie Gordon-Becker
Publisher: Prentice Hall
ISBN-10: 0131837362
ISBN-13: 978-0131837362

Title: Designing Interfaces
Author: Jenifer Tidwell
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
ISBN-10: 0596008031
ISBN-13: 978-0596008031

Recommended:

Title: The Design of Everyday Things
Author: Donald A. Norman
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN-10: 0465067107
ISBN-13: 978-0465067107

Title: Ambient Findability: What We Find Changes Who We Become
Author: Peter Morville
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc
ISBN-10: 0596007655
ISBN-13: 978-0596007652

Course Equipment:

• Several storage disks ( CD-R's, DVD-R's, etc...)
• Three-ring binder (or other personal management aid)
• Plastic diskette holder (for project submission)

Course Administration

Lectures will concern the body of knowledge surrounding human factors of computer interface design. It is your responsibility to secure all materials and information presented in class. Lectures will not be repeated. Lectures may be recorded with the professor's permission.

Student Conduct and Policies:

• No swearing, or derogatory comments about, or towards, any member of the class will be tolerated in any class period. 
• No food or drinks of any kind will be allowed in any lab sessions. 
• Students are expected to arrive on time for all class and lab sessions. 
• Standards set by Purdue University as outlined in the Student Handbook and the University Regulations (1996-1997) will be observed in this course. Students are expected to be present at each and every meeting of the class. In the event that a student must miss a class period, they must inform the supervising instructor of the course of their absence and NOT a teaching assistant (TA). Should the student not be able to reach the instructor they are to leave a message for him/her at their office with the secretary. Should circumstances not allow this, the student may contact the Dean of Students Office and explain their emergency. The Dean's office will then pass the word along to each of the student's professors for them. Upon your return to Purdue, contact the supervising instructor as soon as possible in order to make arrangements for work, handouts, quizzes, or tests that they may have missed. The supervising instructor has the final word on what work, etc. students may be allowed to make up. Every student has the right to appeal to the university any decision made by their supervising instructor.
• Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the Instructor and because of extreme circumstances. (Not coming to lab, or forgetting, doesn't rate as an extreme circumstance.) 
• No student will be allowed to make up any written exam, lab practical, exam, or quiz unless they have an official or medical excuse.
• Standards set by Purdue University as outlined in the Student Handbook and the University Regulations (1996-1997) will be observed in this course. Any student found participating in cheating, plagiarism, copying material from another person's disk, using illegal cribs or other materials during a written examination, lying to course instructors and lab assistants about his or her own work, stealing tests, quizzes, or answer keys, and any such activities will be considered in conflict with the printed academic honesty guidelines as set out by Purdue University and the School of Technology. In such cases the matter will be reported to the Office of the Dean and the appropriate Purdue University administration officers for consideration and possible disciplinary action. (See Student Conduct Action Report).
• Students who have special needs, i.e. hearing or visually challenged, etc., or in need of tutoring, etc., may contact the Dean of Students Office located in Schleman Hall, Room 207, 494-1747 for further assistance.

Campus Emergencies

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines, and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. The following are methods for getting information about changes in this course:

• Official course web page (current location)
• Blackboard web page
• Instructor email address: maicher@purdue.edu
• Instructor office phone: 496-1831

Exams: 

There is one exam given in CGT 451, a midterm exam worth 20% of the course grade. The midterm exam will cover material from the readingsand lectures and be administered during the regularly scheduled lecture period.

Course Assignments and Projects:

Assignments: A variety of writing, development, and assessment assignments will be given throughout the course of the semester. These will be relatively brief assignments designed to explore hands-on application of the theoretical material, and will account for 20% of the course grade.

Projects: Students will develop 1-2 mini-projects and one primary project throughout the course of the semester.. As each student is unique in their skills, experience, and research interests; the specific nature of the project will be shaped by the individual student. Students will work with the course instructor and their fellow classmates to develop and refine their projects.

Final Presentation: Every student will be required to give a final presentation of their primary project which will be subject to both instructor and peer review. This presentation will account for 10% of the final course grade.

Note: Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the Instructor and because of extreme circumstances. (Not coming to lab, or forgetting, doesn't rate as an extreme circumstance.) 

Evaluation:

* Regardless of the above percentages, any student who completes less than 80% of the course work will receive an F for the course. 

Grading Philosophy: