Course syllabus for User studies - Understanding the user and its requirements

The course syllabus contains changes
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Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-01 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameAnvändarstudier - Att förstå användaren och dess krav
  • CodePPU032
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIDSL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Design Engineering
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 66113
  • Maximum participants35
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0116 Intermediate test 7.5 c
Grading: TH		7.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
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Examiner

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Course round 2

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 66182
  • Maximum participants35
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0116 Intermediate test 7.5 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

    Examiner

    Information missing

    Eligibility

    General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
    Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

    Specific entry requirements

    The same as for the programme that owns the course.
    Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

    Course specific prerequisites

    The course IMS040 Ergonomics, or equivalent knowledge.

    Aim

    The students shall develop knowledge and skills regarding user requirements elicitation, and user centered design.

    Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

    1. Understand and explain the ideas behind user centred design.
    2. Explain, apply and compare methods for user requirements elicitation, e.g. observations and interviews.
    3. Explain and apply methods for analysing user data.
    4. Communicate use and user requirements in an effective way.

    Content

    The first part of the course introduces theories and methods related to use and user requirements, and how these are utilized in a development process. Focus is on question-based and observation-based data collection methods, and how these should be applied effectively. Qualitative data collection is central, but quantitative data collection is also covered to some extent. The theoretical knowledge is examined by a short written exam while the application of the methods is practised in a group project. The goal of the project is to elicit user requirements for a solution that would improve the users' situation. The results of the project is presented at a seminar. Finally, the course ends with a creative workshop where each project group develops a solutions to match the requirements elicited by another project group. The course is relevant in relation to sustainable development as its main philosophy is that products should be developed to support users in achieving their goals, rather than maximizing their consumption.

    Organisation

    The course comprise lectures, exercises, seminars, supervision (altogether about 40h) and autonomous work in groups (about 160 h). Total about 200h.

    Literature

    The course literature "Lyssna till kundens röst" will be available on the course webpage.

    Examination including compulsory elements

    Besides passing the written exam and the project, active participation at exercises and supervision is required to pass the course. The grading (U,3,4,5) are based both on the written exam and the project, where the project is of a higher importance.

    The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

    The course syllabus contains changes

    • Changes to course rounds:
      • 2021-05-06: Max number of participants Max number of participants changed from 30 to 35 by PA/UBS
        [Course round 1]