Master's programme in Human-Computer Interaction
Our mobile phones, cameras and computers are becoming ever more technologically advanced. So that we can focus on what we should be doing, instead of getting bogged down with complicated processes, it is important that the interaction between people and technology is smooth and intuitive. Technological developments allow us to interact in brand new ways. Not least when it comes to mobile phones and computer games, which increasingly use new communication channels, such as touchscreens, accelerometers and voice control, where new methods of interaction are often required. We therefore need people who both understand the technology and see how it can be used and developed innovatively.
Career prospects
The main aim of the programme is to provide vocational training in the roles of interaction designer, multimodal interaction designer and visualisation engineer, both nationally and internationally. For the latter two roles, students shall be able to create and evaluate visual, acoustic and haptic HCIs. They shall master techniques for obtaining various types of visual, acoustic and haptic information from a user, and for presenting such information to the user.
Both development and evaluation shall be based on theoretical foundations in relation to human perception, communication, media communication and human-computer interaction, in order to promote effective, usable and intuitive interfaces. Work will often take place in close cooperation with various interested parties and target groups, such as clients, developers and suppliers of various gadgets or systems and end-users.
After completing the education, many students work as consultants but some work for large companies and authorities.
There is also the opportunity to apply for postgraduate studies.
Programme outline
The programme is highly cohesive, and students will form a group that gets to know each other well. Many students come from two of KTH’s engineering programmes in particular: computer technology and media technology. Other students come from other types of education, such as cognitive science and media technology engineering. During your education, you will learn to work together with people with different skills, just like in working life.
Various teaching methods are used within the courses, including traditional lectures, seminars and practical modules, and a number of different examination methods will be applied.
During the first term, you will study five compulsory courses, after which you will choose one of three specialisations: interaction design, multimodal interaction technology or visualisation.
