Welcome to
SWE 632
User Interface
Design and Development
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 :
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– Critical thinking skills
– Divergent, creative, problem solving skills
– Collaboration skills
© Offutt, 2001-2014
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Class Overview
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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
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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.
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View Syllabus Online
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Homework …
Collaboration …
In-class computers …
Thanksgiving …
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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
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Discussion Board Use
• All 637 students will be able to register for a Piazza
account
– https://piazza.com/class#fall2014/swe632
– You will get an invitation from piazza today or tomorrow
• Joining the discussions will count for 5% of your grade
• Questions should be posted to an appropriate thread
– Answered by instructor or TA
– Questions and answers available for all to see
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Grading Policy
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5% : Participation
20% : Evaluations
25% : Project
25% : Midterm
30% : Final – closed book, in-class, comprehensive
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> 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
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