Admission requirements
Master students specialisation Applied Cognitive Psychology
Description
New technologies provide the means to build wonderful interactive software products to shape the world to our needs. However, if not designed well, they can be a source of frustration and annoyance. Knowledge of human factors (e.g. human performance, ergonomic design, and aesthetics) is crucial to make the right design decisions.
This course provides an overview of cognitive issues involved in designing, using and evaluating interactive software products. Recent approaches in the academic field of Human Computer Interaction are discussed. In addition, students are familiarized with the role of (cognitive) psychologists in the user centered design process and the practical field of user experience consultancy in commercial settings.
In addition, students are familiarized with the role of (cognitive) psychologists in the user centered design process and the practical field of user experience consultancy in commercial settings.
The course features guest speakers sharing their expertise, and field trips to state of the art usability labs. In practical assignments students act as user experience consultants and evaluate the usability of commercial websites, in collaboration with major ICT companies.
Course objectives
Students learn to apply their (cognitive) psychological knowledge to understand and improve the user experience of websites and other software products.
Students gain knowledge of research in Human Computer Interaction
Students acquire a practical skill set for analysing websites and software.
Students are familiarized with the practical field of user experience consultancy and the career opportunities for (cognitive) psychologists in software development.
Timetable
Human Computer Interaction (Psychology) (2013-2014):
- Lectures (attendance compulsory)
Mode of instruction
Lectures (attendance compulsory)
Student assignments
Practical exercises
Assessment method
Active participation, project reports
From January 1, 2006 the Faculty of Social Sciences has instituted the Ephorus system to be used by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud .
Blackboard
Information on blackboard.leidenuniv.nl
Reading list
Course lecture sheets, papers
Registration
Course enrolment
Students need to enrol for the course via uSis on the master’s introduction and course enrolment day that takes place at the start of each semester. Please, consult the master’s agenda Psychology.
Contact information
Drs. P. Haazebroek
Room 2B11
Phone: 071-5273654
E-mail: phaazebroek@fsw.leidenuniv.nl