Mission, Facts, and Statistics

Mission

Putting people first, we research, design, and engineer interactions between humans and technology. Join us. Change the world.

Vision

Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) faculty and students are advancing design knowledge by using innovative techniques to study human activity and then translating that knowledge into meaningful information and system designs. HCDE is designing the future by:

• Considering the role of communication and technology in human activity.
• Prioritizing the needs, desires, and behaviors of people and communities who interact with technical systems.
• Addressing the specifics of design by working with interdisciplinary communities of researchers to build innovative technological solutions.

Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science (BS) provides students with strong communication and design skills, coupled with a solid foundation in math and science. Students choose one of two paths of study: Human-Computer Interaction or Individualized Course of Study.

The Master of Science (MS) fosters and advances students' knowledge and skills in the design and evaluation of information products, technologies, and user interfaces.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) provides unparalleled depth and experience for students interested in studying the conception, design, implementation, usability, and evaluation of technologies for specific audiences or user groups.

Certificate Programs

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Explore a wide range of issues in usability and user-centered design.
• Global Technology & Communication Management (GTCM): Master the management challenges in localization.
• Technical Writing & Editing (TWE): Learn practical applications and fundamental concepts in technical communication.

The Technical Japanese Program (TJP) provides training in advanced Japanese for engineering students or for those in a business and technical environment. TJP is offered as an undergraduate minor, certificate program, and Master's program.

Student Demographics

Student Enrollment by Program

Degrees Awarded (2012)

Undergraduate: 23
Graduate: 46

Enrollment by Program

Undergraduate enrollment: 66
Graduate enrollment: 174
Certificate program enrollment: 113

Faculty

16 active core teaching and research faculty
7 adjunct faculty
17 affiliate faculty

Selected Faculty Honors

• Four Career Awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Four Jay R. Gould Awards for Excellence in Teaching from the Society for Technical Communication
• Two Ronald S. Blicq Awards for Distinction in Technical Communication from the IEEE Professional Communication Society
• Two William Elgin Wickenden Awards from the American Society of Engineering Education
• Two Ken Rainey Awards for Excellence in Research from the Society for Technical Communication
• One Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

Research Laboratories & Centers

Center for Engineering Learning & Teaching (CELT)
Communicative Practices in Virtual Workspaces Laboratory
Computer Supported Collaboration Laboratory (CSC)
Computing for Healthy Living and Learning Laboratory (CHiLL Lab)
Design for Digital Inclusion (DDI) Laboratory, with the Hackademia Project
Emerging Capacities of mass Participation (emCOMP) Laboratory
Internet-Based User Experience Laboratory (IBUXL)
Laboratory for Human-Centered Engineering Education
Laboratory for Influence in SocioTechnical Systems (LISTS)
Pacific Rim Visualization and Analytics Center (PARVAC)
Scientific Collaboration and Creativity Laboratory (SCCL)
Technical Japanese Laboratory