Assignments will involve analysis, design and programming user interfaces. We will be using Java SWING based UIs for the examples in the class and for the homework.

We will be discussing different UIs for the same application, different level users, internationalization, non-graphical based UIs (speech for instance.) We will discuss desktop UIs, web based UIs and dedicated hardware UI platforms including ATMs.

To see the schedule look here.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites, per se, but you will be expected to understand or quickly learn and have some understanding of:

You will NOT be expected to know ( but it will help if you do):

These topics will be covered but you will be expected to "come up to speed" on your own on some of these skills.

This class is NOT a programming class but a thinking class. To aid in learning you will be expected to create several UI implementations in SWING. You will NOT be expected to flesh out the underlying applications but instead just create UI prototypes.

You should have a computer that has:

Tools:

We will be using simple visual graphic editing programs like: photoediting, wordprocessing or graphics tools. We will be using paper and pens/pencil (very retro.) Click here to see a complete listing of tools to download for the class.

I will be posting download links for freeware tools that you will be required to use (or their equivalent.)

Assignments will require thinking and drawing/arranging more so than programming.

For some programming assignments we will be using NetBeans Java IDE or Sun Forte for Java tools (or any fully SWING compliant design tools like JBuilder). We will discuss what you should download and install during the first lecture.

We will cover the use of SWING design tools and SWING widgets.

We will do several activities possibly including:

Topics that will not be covered include:

Look here for more info on the tools we'll use.

Exams:

There will be 2 exams - a midterm and a final. The midterm will be 30% of the grade and the final 40%. They will be multiple choice and short essays. The exams will be open book.

Grades:

You are required to do all homework and both exams. The grades will be based on the following allocations:

Homework assignments are expected to be submitted by the due date. Homework grades will be lowered for homework assignments turned is after the assigned due date. Each week late (or fraction of a week late) will result in 25% of the grade points lost. It is important to do the homework in synchrony with the lectures, as such, homework must be turned in on time.

Cheating:

If you are caught cheating you will get an "F" FOR THE COURSE.

Not doing your own work constitutes cheating. Copying, doing someone elses work, asking others for answers, etc. are all cheating.

See the department for explicit cheating policy.

It is YOUR responsibility to check with me if you are not sure if some activity might be construed as cheating.

Don't cheat. It creates a real headache for me (and you)! No one should need to cheat in this course to pass.