Course Prerequisites:

IST 331 and fifth semester standing

Course Overview

The modern system development process includes concurrent engineering of usability - features of a system that make it approachable, learnable, as well as easy and satisfying to use. Topics in the course include the emerging concept of usability, requirements gathering and analysis, the use of scenarios and claims to describe and analyze both current human practices and envisioned practices, activity design, information design, interaction design, documentation design, and user testing, including techniques for formative and summative usability evaluation.

The goals of this course are to understand the theoretical concepts of usability and apply them appropriately in real-world situations.

Text and Materials

Cooper, About Face 3.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design

Other reading material assigned by instructor

Instructor

Emily Wenk, M.S. Email: ewenk@psu.edu

Office: 205 ISTC Phone: 771-4095

Office hours: Monday 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Other times by appointment

Course Management Space: cms.psu.edu

Grade Determination

Your own effort and quality of work over the course of the semester will determine the final course grade you are assigned. It will be based on the following formula:

Mid-term Exam 20%

Course Participation 20%

Individual Project 10%

Team Project 50%

Letter grades will be assigned by this scale:

94 – 100 A 80 – 83 B-

90 - 93 A- 77 – 79 C+

87 - 89 B+ 70 – 76 C

84 – 86 B 60 – 69 D

0 – 59 F

Exam

There will be one in-class exam tentatively scheduled for October 13. Questions will be taken from assigned readings, class notes, homework assignments, and research. The format of the exam will be written essay and short answer questions. The presentation of the team’s interface project will be in lieu of a final exam and will be held during finals week, at a time and place to be determined by the campus registrar.

If you are unable to attend class the day of any scheduled exam or presentation due to illness or circumstances beyond your control, you must notify your instructor by e-mail or voice mail before class. Otherwise, it will not be possible for you to arrange a make-up exam.

Course Participation

Twenty percent of your final grade will be determined by your active participation in course discussions and class activities. These activities may include written and oral case study discussions, quizzes and postings, and homework assignments.

It is also expected that IST 413 students will have completed the assigned reading before class. There will be discussion during class in which all students are required to participate.

Team Project

A significant portion (50%) of your final grade will be determined by the delivery of a substantial UI project. Students will utilize user-centered design methods, task analysis, prototypes, and user testing. Complete, specific guidelines will be supplied for the completion of project. In addition, there may be weekly team meetings, progress reports, and meetings with your client.

Academic Integrity

According to Penn State University Policies and Rules (section 49-20), “Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students.” Academic integrity is expected of all students. All work submitted for a grade is required to be a reflection of your own efforts and understanding of course material. Any violation of this policy will be grounds for disciplinary action which will be determined according to the university’s policy on academic integrity. For more information please visit the following sites:

http://ist.psu.edu/currentstudents/page2.cfm?pageID=458
http://www.psu.edu/dept/ufs/policies/47-00.html#49-20

Academic integrity is expected of all students. All work submitted for a grade is required to be a reflection of your own efforts and understanding of course material. Any violation of this policy will be grounds for disciplinary action, which will be determined according to the Penn State policy on academic integrity.

Disability Statement
It is Penn State policy not to discriminate against qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a disability-related need for modifications in this course, please contact the instructor. You also may choose to contact the Learning Center for assistance with testing accommodations that extend beyond the scope of the instructor.

This syllabus is subject to revision by the instructor at any time.