Human-Centered Systems

[Overview]   [Faculty]   [Projects]   [Courses]

Focuses on the design and evaluation of interactive systems as they relate to human activities, both individual and group. Addresses the roles, functions, and use of interactive artifacts. Draws techniques and concepts from a broadly interdisciplinary range of academic areas for application in the computer domain.

Faculty

Jin-Xiang Chai, Assistant Professor   (Computer Animation, Computer Graphics, Interaction Techniques for 3D Graphics, Computer Vision, Image-based Modeling and Rendering, Image and Video Processing)

Richard Furuta, Professor   (Digital Libraries, Humanities Informatics)

Ricardo Gutierrez-Osuna, Associate Professor  (Pattern Recognition, Facial Animation)

Tracy Hammond, Assistant Professor   (Concept Learning, Sketch Recognition, Aritifical Intelligence, Human Computer Interfaces, Gender Gap in Computer Science)

Andruid Kerne, Assistant Professor  (Expressive Interfaces, Social Computing, Culture, Physical Interfaces, Wearable Affective Computing)

John Keyser, Associate Professor  (Graphics, Visualization)

John Leggett, Professor  (Digital Libraries, Humanities Informatics)

Du Li, Assistant Professor  (Collaborative Systems)

Scott Schaefer, Assistant Professor  (Computer Graphics, Geometric Modeling, Scientific Visualization)

Frank Shipman, Professor  (Intelligent User Interfaces, Computers and Education)

Glen Williams, Professor  (Graphics, Visualization)

Projects

Cervantes Project

CombInformation

Collaborative Editing/writing systems and algorithms (CE)

Graphics and geometric computing

Intelligent Collaboration Transparency (ICT)

Visual Knowledge Builder

Walden's Paths

Center for the Study of Digital Libraries

Courses

CPSC 436. Computer-Human Interaction. This course is designed to cover comprehensively the area of Computer-Human Interaction (CHI). Course content will include the history and importance of CHI, theories of CHI design, modelling of computer users and interfaces, empirical techniques for task analysis and interface design, styles of interaction and future directions of CHI including hypermedia and collaborative systems. Prerequisites: CPSC320 and CPSC 321 or consent of instructor

CPSC 441. Computer Graphics. This course is designed to introduce the fundamental principles of computer graphics. The topics covered include: 2D rendering concepts and algorithms; 3D rendering including geometric transformations, hidden surface removal, lighting, and shading; color and color models; basic geometric and solid modeling; and implementation of event-driven interactive 3D graphics applications.

CPSC 489. Computers and New Media.
CPSC 689. Computers and New Media. This class investigates potential and realized impact of computers in the design of media. Examples of questions to be considered are: (1) How does storytelling change when the reader can take links? (2) What about when the "reader" plays the role of a character in the story? and more generally: (3) What characteristics of computational media are appropriate for what types of communication and stories? Thus, some of the topics we will cover include (1) effect of computers on reading and belief of information, (2) computer's impact on the author, reader, and the interaction between them, (3) computers and argumentation, and (4) interactive genres of literature. These topics will be discussed at both a conceptual and tool level. By the end of the course, you will be able to look at an existing system or design a new system with an understanding of the impact it may have on communication and storytelling. Prerequisites: Students should have a basic knowledge of computing and the humanities, and the ability to program complex systems and be able to learn new software tools on their own.

CPSC 634. Intelligent User Interfaces. Intersection of artificial intelligence and computer-human interaction: emphasis on designing and evaluating systems that learn about and adapt to their users, tasks, and environments. Prerequisites: Graduate classification and approval of instructor.

CPSC 641. Computer Graphics. This course is designed to cover advanced topics in computer graphics, particularly in rendering. Topics covered include: high quality photorealistic rendering techniques; real-time rendering techniques; filtering, antialiasing, and mapping; motion, interaction, and animation; and graphics architectures. Prerequisite: CPSC 441.

CPSC 645. Geometric Modeling. This course covers the representation and manipulation of geometric models, for both graphics and non-graphics applications. Topics covered include: coordinates and basis transformations; parametric, spline, implicit, and subdivision curve and surface representations; solid modeling representations; operations on geometric and solid models; differential curve and surface properties; and robustness and accuracy in geometric computation.

CPSC 667. Collaborative Systems and Models. Collaborative systems support group activities over computer networks. With the emphasis on human factors, system design is fundamentally different from traditional systems. This course overviews existing research efforts to address various design issues. The students will be informed of the state-of-the-art knowledge in this area and learn how to implement collaborative applications.

CPSC 671. Computer-Human Interaction. This course is designed to comprehensively cover the area of Computer-Human Interaction (CHI). Course content will include the history and importance of CHI, theories of CHI design, modelling of computer users and interfaces, empirical techniques for task analysis and interface design, styles of interaction and future directions of CHI. Emphasis will be on previous, current, and future research in CHI. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.

CPSC 672. Computer Supported Collaborative Work. Covers design, implementation and use of technical systems that support people working cooperatively; draws from the research area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) and includes current theoretical, practical, technical and social issues in CSCW and future directions of the field. Prerequisite: CPSC 671 or 610 or approval of instructor.