CS 314: User-Interface Design

Course Description:
The student will learn techniques of programming a user interface in a graphic environment. Topics covered include the common tools for creating graphic interfaces, rules for consistency, human factors, intuitive design, and feedback. Interface downfalls in common software packages will be identified. Students will work in groups to test an interface of their own design. Prerequisite: CS 219. 3:0:3.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Communicate the importance and benefits of design.
2. Examine the social concepts involved in interface design, including human factors, learning curve and intuitive design.
3. Use the principles of good screen design to evaluate existing software interfaces.
4. Demonstrate how and determine when to use the interface tools common to all environments, including radio buttons, check boxes, list boxes, dialog boxes, command buttons, and text boxes.
5. Program database connectivity.
6. Develop menus and navigation schemes.
7. Explain how and determine when to use icons, graphics and color effectively.
8. Write clear and meaningful text and messages.
9. Demonstrate several ways to provide guidance and assistance (user documentation) in the interface.
10. Create an interface for a specific database using Visual Basic as the implementation language.
11. Demonstrate the steps involved in testing an interface.

Assessment Measures:

Assessment Tool	Linkage to Learning Outcome #:
Homework Assignments:
Weekly written assignments covering interface topics will be used to evaluate the student's ability to understand basic concepts and to improve writing skills.	1-4, 6-9, 11
Weekly discussions on the reading assignment will be used to evaluate the student's ability to comprehend basic concepts and to improve oral communication skills.	1-4, 6-9, 11
Weekly programming projects in Visual Basic.NET will be used to evaluate the student's ability to program and to improve programming skills.	1, 4-10
Class Presentations:
Students present designs, implementations, and interface evaluations to the class in order to share what each has learned and to practice presentation skills.	All
Testing:
Short (10 minutes) weekly quizzes are used to assess student's ability to comprehend both the design concepts and the programming concepts as well as to encourage the student to keep up with the material.	1-9,11
Two to three exams during the semester covering both design and programming topics are used to evaluate student's ability to understand concepts. A hands-on (open book) programming project should be included in the final.	All
Group Project:
Practice in designing and implementing an interface is vital to the learning process. The group project will evaluate the student's ability to apply and integrate the interface concepts and programming concepts in producing a graphical user interface. It will also evaluate the student's ability to work with others.	All
The group project will involve creating an interface (at least a portion--15 to 20 screens) for a specific organization requiring a database. The group project involves both individual and group tasks for design and implementation. Individuals should submit their first thoughts on design and then the group should discuss these before deciding on the final design. The design process should start the second week of class and milestones should be set for each week thereafter. Some examples of the milestones: design 6 data entry screens; design 6 report screens (at least 3 with two tables involved); design 6 (at least 3 with two tables involved) query screens; design menus and navigation scheme; group meets with the "users" to see if all their needs have been met by the requirements, screen designs, and navigation scheme; write one page of directions for the user in regard to using the Interface; implement the screens; implement your assistance plans; implement intra-screen navigation; prepare a test design; and present final project.

Textbooks
To view the approved textbook list, click here.

Additional Information:
Software: Visual Basic.Net 2005 from Microsoft Need Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition** for the Database Connectivity which is key for a User-Interface Design course today. SQL Server Express, a one-computer stand-alone edition, comes with Visual Studio 2005 and will be used for the database connectivity. Go to the Information and Computer Science Department home page for directions on how to obtain Visual Studio with Visual Basic.NET 2005 and SQL Server Express from the Microsoft MSDN Academic Alliance Software Center! (At the Department site, choose Software and then MSDN Academic Alliance.) Students enrolled in the course will receive a password from the Park MSDNAA Administrator on the first day of class so that they can download the software free from Microsoft MSDN.

**Visual Studio Professional Edition will not work with XP Home Edition.