User Experience Design Curriculum

User Experience Design will replace the Information Architecture and Information Use concentrations beginning in Fall 2009.  

The Master of Science in User Experience Design requires 36 credit hours in addition to the IAKM core:

• Five (5) courses (15 credit hours) in User Experience Design required courses.

• Six (6) courses (18 credit hours) of electives.

• At least 3 credit hours in a Thesis or Master's Project.

To view the description for each course listed, mouse-over the course number or title.

User Experience Design Required Courses

• IAKM 60101 Information Architecture 
  • An overview of the concepts and practices of information architecture (IA), providing students the opportunity to develop practical skills related to information architecture. IA seeks to minimize the limitations on an organization's ability to provide information and communication within and among organizations, clients, suppliers, etc. through the creation of “information spaces.”
• IAKM 60102 Information and Visual Design
  • Examines the influence of digital technologies on the structure and presentation of information. Provides a cultural and technological context for understanding the information design process. Introduces practical design principles for digital media.
• IAKM 60103 Researching the User Experience
  • Design research seeks to understand user needs, goals, and tasks. This course deals with research methods for human-centered design of information-rich artifacts and experiences. It will cover interviews, surveys, diary studies, and other methods applicable to the formative stages of the design process. Students will learn to distill research findings into audience segments, user profiles, personas, scenarios, and other documents that model user behavior.
• IAKM 60104 Usability I
  • This course will provide a conceptual and practical overview of the processes and methods of usability testing, such as Think Aloud protocols, performance measurements, and eye-tracking analysis. Actual usability testing will be performed, using quantitative and qualitative methods and employing current and emerging software tools to facilitate data collection and analysis.
• IAKM 60105 Information Technologies
  • This course deals with four aspects of information technology: essential technology concepts, the making of software, the social consequences of information technology, and the role of non-programmers in technology design. Topics will cover a wide range: operating systems, networks, search engines, markup languages, social software, dynamic languages, cloud computing, open source software, technology trends, and the history of computing.

Select six (6) of the following from the User Experience Design Electives:

• IAKM 60110* Content Management Systems
  • This course provides an overview of the concepts and practices of Content Management (CM) and Content Management Systems (CMS), including understanding the parts and branches of a CMS, criteria for selecting a CMS, CMS configuration, and evaluating and implementing CMS software.
• IAKM 60111 Online Branding
  • This course will focus on the strategies needed to advance brands through effective online experiences including web sites, intranets, extranets and emerging web technologies. Students will also learn how to extend the brand through personalization, localization and other segmentation techniques.
• IAKM 60112* Advanced Information Architecture
  • Web site design from emerging directions, such as the separation of content from presentation, with e.g., the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting web-based documents. The course includes considerations of making web sites compliant with federal regulations or other standards and validation for various markup guidelines.
• IAKM 60113* User and Task Analysis for Interface Design
  • In order to design and develop effective user interfaces, task analysis process and theory are explored and applied via principles drawn from anthropology, ethnography, cognitive psychology, document and instructional systems design and market research. Practical techniques and methodologies are presented to improve interface design through all phases of the design process.
• IAKM 60114* Usability II
  • This course will provide students with an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for conducting advanced studies of human interaction with computers. In addition, students will learn how to evaluate, purchase, implement, and operate equipment for usability labs in a manner consistent with research methods.
• IAKM 60691 Seminar: (variable course titles)
  • Advanced research by small groups of students who are qualified to examine problems of certain special areas in information architecture.
• IAKM 60692 Practicum
  • Supervised work experience in information architecture of a professional nature of not less than 100 clock hours with directed readings and preparation of a paper. May not be repeated. IP permissible.
• IAKM 60792 Internship
  • Supervised work experience of an advanced professional nature that concentrates on developing skills in Information Architecture. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing and Director's Approval.
• IAKM 61095 Topics: (variable course titles)
  • Offered irregularly as resources and/or opportunities permit. Topics could include current or emerging issues in information architecture, information usability or knowledge management. Specific topics can be found here.
• IAKM 61096 Individual Investigation
  • Research or individual investigation for master's level graduate students. Maximum credit per registration: 3 hours. Maximum credit towards master's degree: 6 hours. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Permission.

• BAD 64042 Management Information Systems
  • Theory, development, application and management of information systems and their impact on people and organizations; emphasis on strategy, ethics and competitive advantage of modern technology.
• BAD 64081 Data Communications and Networking in Business
  • An introduction to telecommunications and computer networks. Topics include telecommunications technologies and services, communication standards and protocols, local area networks, and network management.
• BAD 64082 Database Management Systems
  • In-depth investigation of intelligent database management systems in support of business decision making. An understanding of relation databases is assumed. Object-oriented and semantic databases will be explored.
• BAD 64083 Information Security
  • Introduction to the information security areas that managers must understand in order to deal with today’s security threat-laden environment. The emphasis is on the important principles and concepts that managers utilize to develop effective security risk management programs. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.B.A. program or admission to the M.S. program in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management.
• COMM 65661 Communication in an Information Society
  • Examines how the development and use of newer communication technologies have influenced human communication. Considers the evolution, social and psychological impact, culture of newer communication technologies such as the Internet, and how research adapts to these newer media.
• COMM 65662 Mass Media Effects
  • Examines perspectives on media effects, the impact media have on individuals and societies, and how individual, societal and communication elements influence media uses and effects. Explores issues such as media portrayals, campaigns, violence and children and the media.
• COMM 65665 Personal and Mediated Communication
  • Examination of the interface of interpersonal and mediated communication in everyday life. Includes topics such as parasocial interaction, talk radio, TV co-viewing, cell phones, teleconferencing, computer-mediated relationships and media portrayals.
• COMM 65670 Interpersonal Communication
  • Survey of recent theoretical developments and research in interpersonal communication. Topics include relationship development, interaction, interpersonal traits, compliance, conversational analysis and research methods.
• CS 57105 Web Design and Programming I
  • A joint computer science and visual communication design course on Web concepts and high-quality Web design: computer science, visual communication design principles, tools, architecture, presentation, design and creation of Web sites by teams. Web-based instruction is used. IP permissible. Special fee: $20 per semester.
• CS 57106* Web Design and Programming II
  • A joint computer science and visual communication design course on advanced Web techniques and multimedia Web design: Web servers, security, advanced design, Java servlets, applets, database connectivity, site maintenance, creation of actual Web sites by teams. IP permissible. Special fee: $20 per semester.
• CS 69995 Topics: Computer Programming and Operating Environments
  • A specific offering of the Computer Science Special Topics course. For more information, contact the IAKM office.
• CS 69995 Topics: Advances in Internet-Based Applications and Systems
  • A specific offering of the Computer Science Special Topics course. For more information, contact the IAKM office.
• JMC 50004* Computer Assisted Reporting
  • Computer analysis of large data sets focusing on government, court, police records, for preparation of news stories; basics of online searching; software and databases. Prerequisite: Permission. Special course fee: $30 per semester (subject to change).
• JMC 50012* Online Journalism
  • Study and evaluation of online news and news sites; reporting and writing for online news media; design, production and maintenance of an online news site; ethical, legal and economic issues related to online news. Prerequisite: JMC 50002 or permission. Special course fee: $30 per semester (subject to change).
• JMC 50015 Media Management
  • A study of administrative problems, methods, procedures in the management of media corporations.
• JMC 60002 Legal Problems in Mass Communication
  • Case studies related to the First Amendment, libel, invasion of privacy, regulation of broadcasting and new media, copyright and access to information. Course focus will be the theories underlying these issues, as well as practical application of the legal concepts. Prerequisite: Permission.
• JMC 60003 Seminar: Ethics of Mass Communication
  • Study of ethical problems of mass media in society; analysis of media policies; performance evaluation. Prerequisite: Permission.
• JMC 60009 Seminar in Social Role of the Mass Media
  • Application of professional, theoretical, historical, economic and political perspectives to examine the role of mass media in society both in terms of structure and function. Prerequisite: Permission. Special fee: $18 per semester.
• LIS 60613* Information Uses and Services
  • Analysis of information and communication theory as it relates to adults’ information needs and use; interface issues, electronic information resources and information use; technological methods for designing and using information systems, telecommunications and networks, and consideration of planned communication strategies. Prerequisite: LIS 60001 or permission. LIS 60604 recommended.
• LIS 60640 Library Automation
  • Analysis, design and selection of automated library systems. Considers system analysis and requirements, networking technologies, database management systems, multimedia and hypermedia, and client-serving computing. Also, proposals to vendors, contract negotiation, implementation, staffing, training, system maintenance and evaluation. Prerequisite: LIS 60002 or permission. Special fee: $20.
• LIS 60641 Information Storage and Retrieval Systems
  • Fundamentals of information storage and retrieval systems: components, models, file structure, information representation, human-computer interaction, standards, protocols and evaluation of system performance. Design and evaluation of information storage and retrieval including contributions from artificial intelligence and cognitive research. Prerequisite: LIS 60002 or permission. Special fee: $20.
• LIS 60642 Implementation of Info Storage and Retrieval Systems
  • Course has dual tracks: conceptual frameworks and basic technical skills. Covers all major aspects and latest advancements of an information retrieval system and their applications. Technical skills include Unix/Linux, PERL and CGI programming. Prerequisite: LIS 60002 and familiarity with telnet, FTP, HTML and Web browsers. Some computer programming experience helpful.
• LIS 60643* Online Information Systems
  • Use of information technologies to search for and retrieve electronic information, primarily through the Internet. Analysis of database structures and electronic records; search principles and heuristics; database system producers; system interfaces; and evaluation of results. Prerequisite: LIS 60001 or permission. Special fee: $30.
• LIS 60644 Information Science
  • Focal areas of information science: information retrieval systems, bibliometrics, citation analysis, systems analysis and evaluation, information technologies, information theory, information architecture, knowledge management and user experience.
• LIS 60645 Database Systems
  • Characteristics and concepts of database systems; types of database models; conceptual database design and implementation; the relational database model and its application: key issues, principles and techniques; current database technologies. Prerequisite: Familiarity with Windows 95/98/2000, Microsoft Office applications and Web browsers.
• LIS 60646 User Interfaces for Information Retrieval Systems
  • Hardware considerations and programming for the implementation of user interfaces of computerized information retrieval systems, primarily for Web interfaces but also for online public access catalogs and other networked, client-server systems. Interface analysis, evaluation and design; project design and implementation. Special fee: $30.
• LIS 60647 Network and Software Resources for Info Systems
  • Study, use and evaluation of current and emerging information technologies; network and software resources for libraries and information centers, including network analysis and management, standards, protocols and client-server technologies; and techniques for accessing and evaluating such technologies and resources. Special fee: $20.
• LIS 60648 Electronic Publishing on the Web
  • Students gain the knowledge and skills to participate professionally in current electronic publishing activities, especially Web publishing, and to contribute to future developments in an innovative, socially responsible way.
• LIS 60649* Indexing and Abstracting
  • Principles and methods of manual and computerized indexing and abstracting applied to I&A databases, back-of-book indexes Web site indexes and sitemaps. Techniques of constructing indexing languages using international standards. Theory and practice of index design for specific formats and subjects. Automation and I&A services in networked environments. Prerequisite: LIS 60002. Special fee: $20.
• LIS 60651 Digital Image Processing
  • This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, terminology, techniques and applications of digital imaging as they relate to the development of digital image collections depicting works found in museum collections, archives, and special collections in libraries. Students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to design, create, and manage digital images of text, graphics, slides, and reproductions of 3-D objects. They will also be introduced to the principles and issues that pertain to the creation and distribution of digital-image archives via image databases and the Web environment. Prerequisite: LIS 60002. Special fee: $30.
• VCD 53007 Information Graphics
  • Introduction to shapes, color, type and combinations of these for computer-designed news graphics; maps, charts, graphs and diagrams. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and/or permission.

* denotes a course with prerequisites

See the Knowledge Management curriculum page for the list of possible alternatives to UXD electives.

All students must select one of the following:

• IAKM 61199 Thesis I and
  • Thesis students must register for a total of 6 hours, 2 to 6 hours in a single semester, distributed over several semesters, if desired. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.
• IAKM 61299 Thesis II (if appropriate)
  • Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

OR

• IAKM 61098 Master's Project
  • Students must register for this course during the semester of their Information Architecture and Knowledge Management project. Not repeatable. "S/U" grading; "IP" permissible.

See the Master's Project and Thesis Page for more information on requirements for completing the Master of Science in IAKM.

AVAILABLE COURSES
Go to the Schedules Page for the latest IAKM-related course schedules.