Introduction
The Master’s of Science (M.S.) in Human Computer Interaction aims to train students in core skills for human-computer interaction professionals: design methodologies, prototyping and technical build skills, eliciting and integrating subject matter knowledge, designing and conducting efficacy measurements, effective teamwork, and career planning—all within the context of user experience and interaction. The curriculum is designed to accommodate students who have expertise in the social sciences, technical skills, and/or subject matter knowledge. Students with varying knowledge will be intentionally mixed together in coursework, in order to maximize peer learning and collaboration across strengths. The degree is offered through the UC Santa Cruz location in Silicon Valley, alongside the Games + Playable Media, Serious Games, and Natural Language Processing M.S. degrees, to enable students to connect and collaborate across programs and with local industry leaders.
The M.S. in Human Computer Interaction is a four-quarter program that begins in fall quarter, includes career planning courses and activities, and encourages student internships during summer. Students are expected to complete coursework in four academic quarters, without leaves of absence.
Requirements
Course Requirements
All students are required to complete at least 53 credits for the M.S. The required courses are as follows:
All of the following courses:
Plus one of the following courses:
| HCI 202A | Introduction to HCI Build: Bootcamp | 5 |
| HCI 202B | Introduction to Build: Advanced | 5 |
Students with less technical background should enroll in HCI 202A, while students with more technical background should enroll in the advanced course HCI 202B. The courses share some class time and will, therefore, be delivered during the same quarter.
Plus this two-credit course which must be taken every academic quarter:
HCI 290 must be taken every quarter for a total of four times (8 credits).
Two courses from the elective list below:
All students are required to enroll and pass (letter grade "B-" or better or an “S” grade) in a minimum of two elective courses chosen from the list below.
A maximum of five credits of CMPM 297A, Independent Study or Research, can be used to meet degree requirements.
Master's Capstone Project
Completion of a master's capstone project is required for the M.S. degree. All students are required to take the capstone sequence (HCI 271 and HCI 272), in which they collaborate to develop an interactive system and measure its efficacy. The capstone sequence also includes professional development modules in its curriculum. During HCI 271, Capstone I, students form project teams, brainstorm and iterate ideas for the capstone projects, culminating in approved briefs and project teams, including an approved committee of advisors for each project. Advisors may be local industry professionals (including industry partners who have proposed projects), or may also be UC Santa Cruz faculty from the main campus. HCI 272, Capstone II, is a double-weighted course (10 credits) in which students produce their capstone projects through extensive workshopping, critique, and testing. The quarter culminates in a showcase of student work.
Evaluation of projects is performed by a committee consisting of at least three people, including the HCI vice chair. The committee will also contain other members of the HCI program faculty, or members of the HCI program advisory committee, or other instructors in the HCI program. A majority of the committee’s voting members are members of the UC Santa Cruz academic senate.
Planners
There are two primary paths through the first year of the degree that require the same number of courses. Students with less technical background take HCI 202A, while those with more technical background take HCI 202B. The sample programs include summer internships or sponsored projects. These are not required, and do not bear academic credit. They are, however, strongly recommended.
Sample program for students with less technical background
| Fall Quarter 1 |
HCI 200, Foundations of HCI (5 credits) |
| HCI 201, Introduction to Design Methods in HCI (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
| Winter Quarter 2 |
HCI 202A, Introduction to HCI Build, Bootcamp (5 credits) |
| Elective 1 (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
| Spring Quarter 3 |
HCI 271, Capstone I (5 credits) |
| HCI 203, Introduction to Research (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
| Summer |
Internship or Sponsored Project |
| Fall Quarter 4 |
HCI 272, Capstone II (10 credits) |
| Elective 2 (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
Sample program for students with more technical background
| Fall Quarter 1 |
HCI 200, Foundations of HCI (5 credits) |
| HCI 201, Introduction to Design Methods in HCI (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
| Winter Quarter 2 |
HCI 202B, Introduction to HCI Build, Advanced (5 credits) |
| Elective 1 (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
| Spring Quarter 3 |
HCI 271, Capstone I (5 credits) |
| HCI 203, Introduction to Research (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
| Summer |
Internship or Sponsored Project |
| Fall Quarter 4 |
HCI 272, Capstone II (10 credits) |
| Elective 2 (5 credits) |
| HCI 290, HCI Seminar (2 credits) |
Transfer Credit
Up to three School of Engineering courses fulfilling the degree requirements of the M.S. degree may be taken before beginning the graduate program through the concurrent enrollment program. One of the three core introduction classes (Intro to Build, Intro to Methods, and Intro to Design) may also be satisfied through courses from other institutions or prior UC Santa Cruz coursework. Petitions should be submitted along with the transcript from the other institution. For courses taken at other institutions, copies of the syllabi, examinations, and other coursework should accompany the petition. Such petitions are not considered until the completion of at least one quarter at UC Santa Cruz.
At most, a total of three courses may be transferred from concurrent enrollment and other institutions.
Review of Progress
On an ongoing basis, the faculty reviews the progress of every student so they remain on track to complete the degree in four consecutive academic quarters. Students not making adequate progress toward completion of degree requirements (see the Graduate Handbook for policy on satisfactory academic progress) are subject to dismissal from the program. Students with academic deficiencies may be required to take additional courses. Full-time students with no academic deficiencies are normally expected to complete the degree requirements at the rate of at least two courses per quarter, and move forward through the course sequences together with their cohort, remaining on track to complete the degree in a single four-quarter year.
Students receiving two or more unsatisfactory grades (U or grade below B) in the School of Engineering (SoE) courses, or who receive an unsatisfactory grade (U or grade below B) in a course in the HCI capstone sequence, are not making adequate progress and will be placed on academic probation for the following quarter of registered enrollment. Withdrawing or taking a leave of absence does not count as enrollment. Part-time enrollment is counted as a half quarter of enrollment. Students who are on academic probation or are not enrolled full time are no longer guaranteed any previously committed funding. Should students receive an unsatisfactory grade (U or below B) in a School of Engineering course while on probation, the Computational Media Department may request the graduate dean to dismiss that student from the graduate program. If after being removed from probation, the student again receives an unsatisfactory grade (U or below B) in a School of Engineering course, he or she will return immediately to academic probation.
Graduate students experiencing circumstances or difficulties that impact their academic performance should contact their advisor and the graduate director immediately. Students may appeal their dismissal.
Applying for Graduation
Students planning to graduate should refer to the Baskin School of Engineering Graduate Studies website.