Psychology 384:

Research Laboratory in Human Factors

Syllabus: Fall 2007
Professor Susan E. Brennan, susan dot brennan at sunysb dot edu,
URL: http://www.psy.sunysb.edu/sbrennan-/psy384/p384syl.html

• Schedule of lectures, labs and readings
• Required texts
• Meeting times
• Requirements

This 4-credit lab course will focus on human-computer interaction, a field in which psychologists and computer scientists play a central role (along with contributors from many other disciplines).  This course provides opportunities for you to combine your training in scientific psychology, human cognition, and human behavior with creativity in solving or studying real-world problems that involve the human use of technology. We also focus on practical issues, communicating your ideas and findings to others, and career development. Prerequisites are Psy 260 and Psy 310. We assume no prior technical knowledge of computers or programming.

Please read this syllabus carefully and make certain you have no other commitments that would prevent you from participating fully in the class.

Professor:    Susan Brennan, Psychology Bldg. B, Room 322     Telephone: 632-9145     Office hours: Wed. 1-2 and by appointment (also see BlackBoard for additional times).

Class will meet T-Th from 9:50–12:40 in the Psychology A141 Computer Lab. Most days, the lecture will be given during the first part of the class (1.5-2 hours), then there will be a short break, and then, lab time.  Attendance is mandatory.

Teaching assistants:

• Grad: Matt Jacovina (mjacovin@notes.cc.sunysb.edu)
• Ugrad: Will Suhr (famousxrobot@gmail.com)

Readings: This is an intensive, hands-on class, with assignments due approx. every week or so. Avoid falling behind! Complete relevant readings BEFORE each lecture. The schedule will link to all required readings, except for the following 2 required texts (available at Stony Books across from the train station, the campus bookstore, or Amazon.com):

• Norman, Donald A . (2002). The Design of Everyday Things . New York: Basic Books.
• Cohen, M. H., Giangola, J. P., & Balogh, J. (2004). Voice User Interface Design. New York: Addison-Wesley

Requirements:

• It is essential to attend class. Attendance is taken.
• Quizzes: There will be short “No big deal” quizzes (approx. weekly) on the material covered in readings and lecture. 
• Laboratory assignments:  You will gain hands-on practice in the psychology of human-computer interaction by analyzing tasks, documenting and solving design problems, evaluating applications, and communicating your ideas and findings clearly to others.  The weekly assignments must be turned in on time unless you make arrangements with the instructor or the graduate TA in advance.  You will lose credit for late assignments.
• Group project: You will work with one or two others on a collaborative final project.
• This class is writing-intensive and may be used to satisfy Psychology’s writing requirement.

Expected grading:  8 Assignments: 48%   Quizzes: 15%   Group project: 20%   Final exam: 15% Participation: 2% & extra credit

About the instructors:  Susan Brennan has conducted research on human-computer interaction, psycholinguistics, speech and text interfaces to computers, and computer graphics at the MIT Media Lab, Stanford University, Atari, Hewlett-Packard Labs, Apple Computer, and Stony Brook University.
Matthew Jacovina is a Ph.D. student in Stony Brook’s Department of Psychology who studies language processing and eye tracking.

Schedule of lectures, labs, and readings

Statement on DSS Services: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned course work, we urge you to contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS). Its address is Rm.128 of ECC (Education Communication Center) and phone numbers 632-6748 or TDD 632-6749. DSS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. 

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