reiser%cmu-psy-a@sri-unix.UUCP (01/26/84)
From: reiser (brian reiser) @ cmu-psy-a
***** ANNOUNCEMENT *****
Graduate Program in Human-Computer Interaction
at Carnegie-Mellon University
The field of human-computer interaction brings to bear theories and
methodologies from cognitive psychology and computer science to the design
of computer systems, to instruction about computers, and to
computer-assisted instruction. The new Human-Computer Interaction program
at CMU is geared toward the development of cognitive models of the complex
interaction between learning, memory, and language mechanisms involved in
using computers. Students in the program apply their psychology and
computer science training to research in both academic and industry
settings.
Students in the Human-Computer Interaction program design their educational
curricula with the advice of three faculty members who serve as the
student's committee. The intent of the program is to guarantee that
students have the right combination of basic and applied research
experience and coursework so that they can do leading research in the
rapidly developing field of human-computer interaction. Students typically
take one psychology course and one computer science course each semester
for the first two years. In addition, students participate in a seminar on
human-computer interaction held during the summer of the first year in
which leading industry researchers are invited to describe their current
projects.
Students are also actively involved in research throughout their graduate
career. Research training begins with a collaborative and apprentice
relationship with a faculty member in laboratory research for the first one
or two years of the program. Such involvement allows the student several
repeated exposures to the whole sequence of research in cognitive
psychology and computer science, including conceptualization of a problem,
design and execution of experiments, analyzing data, design and
implementation of computer systems, and writing scientific reports.
In the second half of their graduate career, students participate in
seminars, teaching, and an extensive research project culminating in a
dissertation. In addition, an important component of students' training
involves an internship working on an applied project outside the academic
setting. Students and faculty in the Human-Computer Interaction program
are currently studying many different cognitive tasks involving computers,
including: construction of algorithms, design of instruction for computer
users, design of user-friendly systems, and the application of theories of
learning and problem solving to the design of systems for computer-assisted
instruction.
Carnegie-Mellon University is exceptionally well suited for a program in
human-computer interaction. It combines a strong computer science
department with a strong psychology department and has many lines of
communication between them. There are many shared seminars and research
projects. They also share in a computational community defined by a large
network of computers. In addition, CMU and IBM have committed to a major
effort to integrate personal computers into college education. By 1986,
every student on campus will have a powerful state-of-the-art personal
computer. It is anticipated that members of the Human-Computer Interaction
program will be involved in various aspects of this effort.
The following faculty from the CMU Psychology and Computer Science
departments are participating in the Human-Computer Interaction Program:
John R. Anderson, Jaime G. Carbonell, John R. Hayes, Elaine Kant, David
Klahr, Jill H. Larkin, Philip L. Miller, Alan Newell, Lynne M. Reder, and
Brian J. Reiser.
Our deadline for receiving applications, including letters of
recommendation, is March 1st. Further information about our program and
application materials may be obtained from:
John R. Anderson
Department of Psychology
Carnegie-Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213