1. SWE 632 User Interface Design and Development
Welcome to
SWE 632
User Interface
Design and Development

2. Learning Objectives
Students will learn knowledge of what constitutes a usable human-computer interface
Students will learn how to evaluate the usability of human-computer interfaces
Quantitatively and qualitatively
Students will learn specific design techniques for designing usable human-computer interfaces
Students will develop the skills to develop an interface that has high usability that is appropriate for the users
Students will develop :
Critical thinking skills
Divergent, creative, problem solving skills
Collaboration skills
7-Nov-19
© Offutt

3. Class Overview Class URL : http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~offutt/classes/632/
Contact info, TA
Objective : How to build software people can use
Readings : Posted in schedule
Exams : Midterm and final, closed-book, in class
Evaluations : Five user interfaces—written reports
Project : Build a small user interface—more details second week
Multiple milestones through the semester
7-Nov-19
© Offutt

4. You can, but I advise against it.
Prerequisites
SWE 619 or (CS 540 & CS 571 for CS students)
Discrete math and programming, OO concepts (abstraction, what before how)
General software engineering
Intent : Prerequisites define what you need to know before taking a class to succeed in the class
Not knowing that material means you are taking the class “at risk”
That is your responsibility
GMU’s registration system allows you to register for any VSE class
Please do not ask if you “can take the class without the prerequisites” … the question does not compute.
You can, but I advise against it.
7-Nov-19
© Offutt

5. Schedule URL : http://www.cs.gmu.edu/~offutt/classes/632/sched.html
Please read the assigned readings before class
Slides, evaluations and project notes posted before class
If I update slides from what’s there, I will add a “new” image to the slides
Handouts and notes are there for your benefit and entertainment
7-Nov-19
© Offutt

6. Discussion Board Use
All 632 students will be able to register for a Piazza account
I sent invitations for piazza to your Mason account
If you did not get it, let me know
Joining the discussions will count towards your grade
Questions should be posted to an appropriate thread
Answered by instructor or TA
Questions and answers available for all to see
7-Nov-19
© Offutt

7. In the past, usually about 50% As and 40% Bs
Grading Policy
20% : Participation
20% : Assignments & Evaluations
30% : Project
30% : Final – closed book, in-class, comprehensive
> 90% : definitely an A or A- (possibly slightly lower)
> 80% : definitely a B or A (possibly slightly lower)
> 70% : definitely a C, B or A (possibly slightly lower)
Only one A+ — the top grade in the class
In the past, usually about 50% As and 40% Bs
7-Nov-19
© Offutt