Master's Programme in Human-Computer Interaction and Social Media, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor´s Degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS ) from an internationally recognised university including 60 ECTS in one of the following subjects; Informatics, Information Science, Computer Science, Cognitive Science or Informatics with focus on digital media production, or equivalent studies. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University, outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester.

Degree

After completing the program, 60 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Magisterexamen in accordance with the Local Qalifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Magisterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 60 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Informatics.Specialisation: Human - Computer Interaction and Social Media.

After completing the program, 120 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Masterexamen in accordance with the Local Qalifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Masterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 120 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Informatics.Specialisation: Human - Computer Interaction and Social Media.

Description of the education for current education cycle

Second cycle educations should build substantially upon knowledge the students retained during first cycle studies or the equivalent.
Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)

National goals for current degree

National goals for Master of Science Degree 60 credits
Knowledge and understanding
For Master of Science Degree 60ECTS, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and abilities
For Master of Science Degree 60ECTS, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work in other advanced contexts.

Ability to evaluate and approach
For Master of Science Degree 60ECTS, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the  main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

 
National goals for Master of Science Degree 120 credits

Knowledge and understanding
For Master of Science Degree 120 ECTS, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and abilities
For Master of Science Degree 120 ECTS, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work  independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to evaluate ​​and approach
For Master of Science Degree 120 ECTS, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal  need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
For this Degree of master of Science 60 credits the student should after the completion of the program should be able to;
- understand, explain and apply the theories, methods and practical skills necessary to understand people as users of information technology,
- understand, explain and analyze the complex interactions between people, technology and design,
- evaluate both usability of IT artifacts and the process by which they are taken into use, and
- analyze and design various forms of interaction between people and the IT artifact.

The student should also
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main field of study and
- demonstrate the ability to, problematize and analyze the program’s central theories and concepts, from a gender science perspectives.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
For this Degree of master of Science 120 credits the student should after the completion of the program should be able to;
- understand, explain and apply the theories, methods and practical skills necessary to understand people as users of information technology,
- understand, explain and analyze the complex interactions between people, technology and design,
- evaluate both usability of IT artifacts and the process by which they are taken into use, and
- analyze and design various forms of interaction between people and the IT artifact.
- participate in research and development in human-computer interaction, and
- actively and independently assess the personal need for further knowledge and to further develop their skills, abilities and knowledge of human-computer interaction.

The student should also
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main field of study and
- demonstrate the ability to, problematize and analyze the program’s central theories and concepts, from a gender science perspectives.

Examination format

See current course syllabus

Grades

The program applies a three-point grading scale with the grades, Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail, unless otherwise stated in the syllabus for a particular course. Those who pass an exam cannot redo the exam aiming for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Recognition of previous studies/Credit transfer
Students have the right to apply for recognition of previous courses or activities that can be accepted for credit transfer. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

A negative decision on recognition of previous courses is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

Under the heading Outline it is shown which courses are mandatory and which are optional/elective. Choice of elective/optional courses is made in consultation with the Program Coordinator. The courses are in the order shown in the outline. The order of the courses may be subject to change. For information on how individual courses are set up see the various course syllabus.

Thesis
For the Degree of Master of Science 60 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth at least 15 credits in Informatics.

For the Degree of Master of Science 120 credits the student must have completed a thesis worth 30 credits in Informatics within the program. The thesis may comprise less than 30 credits, at least 15 credits, if the student has already completed an independent work at an advanced level of at least 15 credits in Informatics or equivalent from an international education.

Outline – Degree of Master of Science 60 credits (with the possibility to continue for a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits)
First semester

Second semester

»»»» Master´s Degree (60 credits, eligible for doctoral studies)

Third semester for further studies towards a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
 

Fourth semester for further studies towards a Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
 

»»»» Master´s Degree 120 credits

Outline – Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
First semester

Second semester

Third semester

Fourth semester

»»»» Master´s Degree 120 credits

Deferment of studies

Deferment of enrollment may be granted if there are extenuating reasons. Examples of extenuating reasons are social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, student union assignments or postponed leave according to the law (1974:981) on employée’s rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Services.

A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A student admitted to the program can apply for an approved leave from the program. The application is submitted to the Program Study Advisor. An approved leave of absence with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care or student union assignments.
Negative decision concerning the possibility to resume studies after an approved leave of absence can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who leave their programs shall notify their Program Study Advisor of the discontinuation.

Other

Other Information
Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.