IU School of Informatics launches Ph.D. program track in Human-Computer Interaction
December 5, 2007
(INDIANAPOLIS) How can humans best interact with the computers that we use increasingly in our daily lives? Why do we search for information or interact with Web sites or software the way we do? These and similar questions make up the heart of Ph.D. research focusing on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Enrollment is now open for the Ph.D. program in Informatics with an HCI track launched recently by the IU School of Informatics at IUPUI.
Because HCI defines the behavior of any interactive technology in response to its users, it is a field of study that is absolutely critical with today's pervasive computing.
"In my opinion, every company that develops software and Web sites needs to be concerned with more than quality assurance," said Anthony Faiola, director of media informatics and human-computer interaction. "Beyond utility, user-centeredness and usability are vital components to highly effective interactive products."
Students in the doctoral program explore the connections among technology, theory, empirical research and social analysis, and application domains in a diverse and multidisciplinary curriculum. This curriculum includes core courses and seminars in informatics; informatics sub-disciplines; courses in methodology and theory; electives in related disciplines inside and outside of the school; and a dissertation. In addition, students will be encouraged to pursue internships as part of the elective courses or independent studies of their program.
"Our new Ph.D. program will not only prepare students in the field of usability engineering, but also research in the areas of HCI, usability, and related fields. We are also very excited about offering the community our other HCI degrees, i.e., our Certificate and Masters in HCI," explained Faiola.
Graduates of the program are expected to enter academic positions in research and teaching universities or to conduct research for industries that use informatics that includes HCI-related knowledge. They should be able to shape the direction of information technology in the scholarly work they do on the social, organizational, and design environment of technologies, as well as in designing solutions for the issues confronting the biological, chemical and health-based scientific communities.
For more information on the HCI Program at IUPUI, contact Anthony Faiola or visit the IUPUI Informatics web site.
