Human-Computer Interaction

Carleton School of Information Technology
230 Azrieli Pavilion
613-520-2600, ext 1795
hcidegree.carleton.ca

  • M.A. Human-Computer Interaction
  • M.A.Sc. Human-Computer Interaction
  • M.C.S. Human-Computer Interaction

M.A., M.A.Sc., M.C.S. Human-Computer Interaction

About the Program

The Master of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) degree is open to students from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds in the human, technological, or engineering sciences. It offers students an opportunity to explore their native discipline in more depth while also gaining insight into the language and constraints under which specialists in other disciplines in the HCI field work. The degree prepares all students for direct entry into a career in HCI, bringing cross-disciplinary skills in quantitative and qualitative laboratory and field research that are increasingly sought after in industry and government. While no Ph.D. program is offered in HCI at Carleton as yet, qualified students who wish to continue their studies beyond a Master's degree may apply in the Ph.D. programs of their native discipline.

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Admission Requirements

Applicants for the HCI M.A. program will normally hold an Honours degree or equivalent professional degree in Arts, Social Sciences, Business, or related areas with Highest Honours. Applicants for the M.A.Sc. program will normally hold an Honours degree in Engineering, Architecture, Design, or related areas with Highest Honours. Applicants for the M.C.S. degree will normally hold an Honours degree in Computer Science. Applicants with a background in Cognitive Science will be considered for whichever of the three programs is appropriate to their particular academic background.

Applicants judged to be generally acceptable but deficient in some preparation may be asked to complete course-work in addition to the program requirements.

In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages will include a statement of interest outlining the applicant's proposed area of research.

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Program Requirements

The HCI program comprises 5.0 credits of which 3.0 credits are devoted to course work, and 2.0 credits to a thesis.

Every student must enroll in one of three streams, Master of Arts, Master of Applied Science, or Master of Computer Science, depending on their native discipline.

M.A. Human-Computer Interaction
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5100/ PSYC 5105 Fundamentals of HCI design and evaluation
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5200 Software and User Interface Development
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5300 Interactive Entertainment Technologies

Students in the M.A. stream must also complete one of the following:

  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5401/CGSC 5002 Experimental Research in Cognition
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5402/GEOG 5003 Practising Human Geography
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5403/ PSYC 5106 Research Methods in HCI
  • 1.0 credit (normally two 0.5-credit courses) from a wide range of available electives with the guidance and permission of the supervisor of graduate studies.
  • 2.0 credits in HCIN 5909 M.A. Thesis in HCI
M.A.Sc. Human-Computer Interaction
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5100/ PSYC 5105 Fundamentals of HCI design and evaluation
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5200 Software and User Interface Development
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5300 Interactive Entertainment Technologies

Students in the M.A.Sc. stream must also complete one of the following:

  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5404/IDES 5102 Design Research Methods
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5405/SYSC 5104 Methodologies for Discrete-Event Modelling and Simulation
  • 1.0 credit (normally two 0.5-credit courses) from a wide range of available electives with the guidance and permission of the supervisor of graduate studies.
  • 2.0 credits in HCIN 5909 M.A.Sc. Thesis in HCI
M.C.S. Human-Computer Interaction
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5100/ PSYC 5105 Fundamentals of HCI design and evaluation
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5200 Software and User Interface Development
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5300 Interactive Entertainment Technologies
  • 0.5 credit in HCIN 5406/COMP 5104 Object-Oriented Software Development
  • 1.0 credit (normally two 0.5-credit courses) from a wide range of available electives with the guidance and permission of the supervisor of graduate studies.
  • 2.0 credits in HCIN 5909 M.C.S. Thesis in HCI
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