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Human-Technology Interaction – (M.Sc.)
University of Tampere
School of Information Sciences (SIS)
| Application Deadline: | March 15, 2012 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | Free | ||
| Location: | Tampere / Finland / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Tampere
This new programme is offered in collaboration between the University of Tampere (UTA) and the Tampere University of Technology (TUT). Both universities host research groups that are internationally recognized for their work in the field of human–technology interaction, developing and researching interactive technologies based on human abilities, needs, and experiences. The studies in this programme take place at both universities.
Students can specialize in one of three study lines:
1) Interaction Design and Research,
2) Development of Interactive Software, and
3) User Experience Design and Evaluation.
Although the programme is available in essentially the same format at both universities it is recommended that students mainly interested in interested in study lines 1 and 2 apply to UTA, and those mainly interested in study line 3 apply to TUT (separate application and enclosures are needed). That way the majority of their course units will be organized by their home university.
During programme studies, students can deepen their knowledge in course units that cover a wide range of topics from user experience and emotions to innovative use of facial behavior like gaze and expressions, touch, speech, and human physiology in user interfaces. The programme leads the students to scientific thinking and writing as well as to hands-on work in various course projects.
Graduates’ typical jobs include interaction designer, usability specialist, user experience architect, and software developer. Interaction designers study people and their life to create technology and service designs. Usability specialists make sure that the technology is easy to use and fit for human purposes. User experience architects work to enhance the entire experience we have with the technology, from advertising and packaging, to disposal and memories. Software developers who graduate from this program understand enough about usability and software development to be able to implement UI designs in software so that they best serve the users. This combination of skills has been much sought-after by employers in recent years. The teaching in all the study lines is strongly connected to up to date research and students are also equipped with the potential to develop a career in research.
In 2001-2011 the University of Tampere had intakes for two Master level programmes, 1) Master’s Degree Programme in Interactive Technology and 2) Master’s Degree Programme in User Interface Software Development. These two programmes will merge into the Master's Degree Programme in Human-Technology Interaction.
Contents
At UTA, studies consist of lectures and seminars on theoretical and methodological questions, and supervised individual research for a Master´s thesis.
Studies require active attendance and participation in classes. Some of the course units are organised only once during the programme period.
Complementing studies may be required depending on the student's previous studies. Language studies in Finnish and Intercultural Communication (c. 6 ECTS credits), and English (c. 3-6 ECTS credits) must be included in the programme studies.
After all the programme studies have been successfully completed, the degree of Master of Science will be awarded.
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Requirements
Admission criteria at UTA
* A completed suitable university level Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Interactive Technology (HCI), Computer Science, Design, Education, Psychology, Sociology, or other relevant field with studies in human-computer interaction. Applicants wishing to take the study line Development of Interactive Software should have studies also in Mathematics and in software development.
* A good knowledge of English for academic purposes.
* Candidates for admission should be well qualified and capable of benefiting from the programme of study.
* In addition, other relevant merits and qualifications may be taken into account
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade C (Score: 60) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 575 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 90 |
Accreditation
Quality Enhancement System in the University of Tampere
The quality enhancement system in the University of Tampere consists of the methods for continuous improvement of education, research, management, leadership and supporting services. Basically, the quality system of the University consists of the same elements as in most Finnish or even European universities. The quality enhancement methods are usually seen as a cycle of planning, doing, checking and acting.
Compared with other Finnish universities the University of Tampere has focused more in developing the self-steering of the faculties and departments instead of controlling them. At the beginning of 2011. the University of Tampere conducted a thorough overhaul of its organization. Instead of six faculties and over 20 departments there are nine schools to take care of all research and education in the University. The services and administration have been rearranged, too. The steering processes, eg. the quality system as a tool for management, was renewed at the same time. Most of the improvements to the quality system were due to the clear organisation structure and strong preconditions of the strategic management. The administration has two levels instead of three. This has made the responsibilities in quality enhancement clearer than before.
The quality systems in Finnish universities are regularly externally audited. The next external audit in the University of Tampere will be in 2011.
What do quality assurance and enhancement mean?
Quality assurance means the procedures, processes and systems used to safeguard and improve the quality. Quality enhancement implies especially to the methods of continuous improvement. The quality system is usually considered as a tool of strategic management and leadership. The word system implies to the university level construction, whereas the procedures and methods imply to the separate practices used in and by the university.
Since Finnish higher education institutions have a strong autonomy, they are responsible for their own quality methods and systems. There are however certain methods on the national level to assure the continous improvement of the university level systems. The Ministry of Education and Research steers the universities with several reporting and assessment methods. Eg. the volume and quality of higher education institutes are annually measured by certain indicators. The Finnish Higher Education Council supports the universities to improve the quality systems by organizing external audits and developing the national audit model.
The University uses assessments and evaluations to monitor if the improvement methods exist and if they are good enough. The strategy process usually produces changes to the internal steering system and to the methods of continous improvement.
Ask a Question
You can contact Kirsi Tuominen to ask a question about Human-Technology Interaction at University of Tampere.
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