CS 6750: Human-Computer Interaction
Review and Retrospective
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely my own and do not reflect those of Georgia Tech, the OMSCS program, or any affiliated instructors, TAs, or staff.
Instructor: David Joyner
Semester: Summer 2023
Overall Rating: 7.8/10 👍
✅ Pros
- Well-organized calendar and materials
- Beginner-friendly video lectures by Dr. Joyner
- Authentic design-cycle project that walks you from need-finding to evaluation
❌ Cons
- Writing-heavy workload may feel tedious
- Subjective grading on essays/projects can be inconsistent across TAs
🕒 Time Commitment
Expect 10-15 hours per week spent on written reports, short essays, and peer feedback.
📝 Grade Breakdown
| Component | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Written Assignments | 40% | 5 Principles + 5 Methods papers (4 % each) |
| Tests (2) | 30% | 15 % each, 30 multiple-correct questions, proctored via Honorlock |
| Final Project | 20% | Full HCI design cycle; individual or team options |
| Participation | 10% | Peer reviews, surveys, forum contributions, etc. |
✍️ Assignments
Principles (P1–P5)
Short-answer reflections
Methods (M1–M5)
Need-finding plans, prototype mock-ups, and evaluation protocols. Each paper uses the required JDF template and counts for 4 % of the final grade
📖 Exams
Two closed-book, proctored exams (Test 1 after Lesson 3.5, Test 2 after Lesson 4.3).
Questions are multiple-correct; partial credit is awarded.
🗂 Project
A single 20% capstone covers need-finding, brainstorming, prototyping, and an evaluation plan on a domain of your choice. The project can be a portfolio piece.
📚 Course Content
Unit 1: Introduction
HCI overview & course roadmap
Unit 2: Principles
Feedback cycles, direct manipulation, design heuristics, mental models, task analysis, politics of interfaces
Unit 3: Methods
Ethics, need-finding, design alternatives, prototyping, evaluation, agile HCI
Unit 4: Applications
Technology horizons, domain deep-dives (AR/VR, education, health)
Unit 5: Conclusion
Recap, related fields, career next steps
💬 Participation & Interaction
Credit comes from prompt peer-review turnaround, forum activity, and an optional “secret-survey” Easter egg. The deliverables and thier requirements were straighforward.
💭 Final Thoughts
CS 6750 walks you through a classic user‑centered design process. If you’re interested in UI/UX, it provides a solid foundation and covers the core fundamentals. Be ready for heavy writing, nearly every assignment outside the exams is an essay. Although my role is not that of a designer, the course’s design principles show up in my daily work. The mantra “You are not your user” alone could save engineers who rush into building from a lot of wasted time and effort.