There is a growing demand within industry for workers with expertise in human-computer interaction (HCI), with titles such as interface designer; usability researcher analyst; usability engineer; user experience specialist; and information architect.  HCI specialists bridge the gap in organizations between groups who build the technologies and groups who use the technologies.

The qualifications for these positions generally fall into the following categories:

1.       A general knowledge/background in human-computer interaction

2.       Skills in collecting user requirements

3.       Skills in developing prototypes, both low fidelity (e.g., paper) and high fidelity (e.g., html mock-up)

4.       Research skills in evaluation of the impact of technologies on humans.

The Information Science and Technology at the University of Missouri – Rolla offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in Human-Computer Interaction.  This program will prepare students for positions as HCI specialists, and provide working IT professionals with additional skills to aid in the design and evaluation of usable systems.  The IST department at UMR includes some of the leading researchers in the field of HCI, with strong ties to industry usability professionals.

• BS Emphasis Area in Human Computer Interaction
• Graduate Certificate In Human Computer Interaction

Regular HCI Course Schedule

+Beginning in the fall semester 2005
*All courses are taught both on campus and as distance courses, with the exception of IST 385 in the spring semester, which is taught on campus only

Description of HCI programs (PDF version)