In this area of specialization, students can learn about how people interact with computers and technology, and how computer science can open up new ways of interacting with audio, video, and other media types.
As a student, start by attending "Designing Interactive Systems I" (known as DIS I), offered each winter semester (4+2). It introduces you to the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and user interface design. It covers human aspects such as cognitive characteristics of HCI, gives an overview over milestones in the history of HCI, and introduces the fundamentals of good user interfaces as well as the principles of iterative, user-centered design, prototyping, and evaluation.
In parallel, the "HCI Design Patterns" lecture (2+1, each winter) explains how to capture user interface design guidelines in a new, structured way that has just recently been established. It builds on the success of patterns in software engineering, but takes an interesting approach based on the original area where the patterns idea emerged - architecture.
Each summer, "Designing Interactive Systems II" (4+2) complements DIS I, covering the technical side of interactive systems, from device technology, to event handling, to window systems architectures and post-desktop user interfaces.
In parallel, attend the "Current Topics in Media Computing and HCI" lecture (2+1, each winter) to learn about today's trends in this discipline. This class includes virtual guest lectures by luminaries in the field.
All our classes are taught in English, and are accompanied by weekly project-centered, practical group assignments and written midterm and final exams leading to a graded "Schein".
Note: Through these in-class exercises, assignments and group projects, these classes are designed to teach you a lot more than what is found in the printed slides. Therefore, to include the above lectures in your oral exam for this area it is strongly recommended to acquire the Schein for each of them beforehand.
We also offer proseminars, seminars, and practical labs. Our seminars deal with hot topics in user interface design and media computing. In our labs you can use the infrastructure of our group, including our Media Computing Laboratory and the Aachen Media Space, to explore and create tangible interfaces for ubicomp, or experiment with new interfaces to music, for example.
Note that, as the Bachelor/Master programmes are introduced, the above list is likely to change, both in the number of credits for each lecture, and in the sequence of lectures.
For more information, see media.informatik.rwth-aachen.de.
Exams for this area of specialization are conducted by Prof. Jan Borchers.