Master's Thesis in Interaction and Media Design
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 60
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn, Spring
- Course code
- MIX350
- Number of semesters
- 2
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
The aim of the course is for the students to conduct a practice-based and autonomous research project in media and interaction design.
The master's project combines a practice-based component with a theoretical and analytical written component. The practice-based component includes the design or evaluation of an interactive media system. The goal is to contribute to innovation, or to consider technical innovation within media technology. The practice-based component can be the development of a prototype or empirical fieldwork the student evaluates and analyzes an existing media product or practices at a media company. The practice-based component may be executed in conjunction with fellow students, and/or in connection with a media or technology company.
The theoretical component is an individually written master's thesis, which is an academic analysis and evaluation of the practical component.
It is highly recommended to engage in user studies as a participant. Such hands-on experience can be a good complement to better understand literature on user studies and experiments.
Learning Outcomes
A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student
- can apply theory and methods from interaction design and user experience at a high level in the design of new media
- can identify and use relevant research methods in a practical project
Skills
The student
- can follow a project plan, lead, execute and complete a practice-based research project within user-oriented media design or media interaction design
- can critically evaluate and argue for methodological and theoretical choices related to practice-based research projects within interaction design for digital media
General competence
The student
- can collect data, analyze data, and discuss research results
- can write independently, longer academic assignments based on a practical project, and present their own research orally
- can communicate about academic issues, analyzes and conclusions within the subject areas user oriented media design and interaction design for media
- can analyze relevant ethical issues related to subject, occupation and research
- can quickly adapt to new challenges and acquire new professional knowledge, and utilize this knowledge in independent and creative work linked to the design of user experience for the media
- can contribute to research, development and innovation work within the subject areas, and can update their knowledge within the field
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
- Supervision meetings with the supervisor and practice teacher/mentor
- Participation in progress seminars
- Exhibition of the master's project to the public
Forms of Assessment
- The master's thesis has a practical and an individually written component.
- The written component is an academic assignment of about 15 000-20 000 words. This assignment should put the practical work in a scientific context. The written component accounts for 55% of the total master's thesis grade.
- The practical component is a prototype and/or a larger evaluation work and can be individual or carried out in a group. The practical work accounts for 45% of the total master's thesis grade.
- The adjusting oral exam cosist of a presentation and an oral examiation of the kandidate. The adjusting oral exammay adjust the final grade up or down by one grade.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Autumn/Spring
Students with valid absence as defined in the UiB regulations ยง 5-5 can apply for an extended submission deadline to eksamen.infomedia@uib.no. The application must be submitted before the deadline for submission has expired.