B.S.C. in Human-Centered Design & Computing

Overview

Imagine shaping the next generation of transformative digital products. The B.S.C. in Human-Centered Design & Computing empowers visionary students who want to fuse design ingenuity & storytelling with computational power. This program empowers students to see technology as more than just a tool; it’s a canvas for creating beautiful, intuitive, and life-changing solutions that have a lasting impact. You'll dive into the heart of innovation, learning to craft interactive systems, apps, immersive worlds, and AI-driven experiences that solve real-world problems while prioritizing human needs. 

In today's interconnected world of design and technology, this interdisciplinary program arms you with the essential skills to guide and inspire diverse, cross-functional teams. You'll master user-centered design principles, creative coding, and emerging tech like XR (augmented & virtual reality), AI, and physical computing, all while exploring how these elements intersect with storytelling, product design, and societal impact. Our hands-on, learn-by-doing ethos means you'll prototype from day one in state-of-the-art labs, collaborating with industry experts, researchers, and faculty mentors to create standout portfolios. Our graduates aren't just job-ready; they are taught to shape industry, landing roles at top companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, Motorola, Stripe, and Adobe, where they drive innovation in user experience (UX), product design, and management. 

Why choose Human-Centered Design & Computing as your major?

• Interdisciplinary Edge: Human-Centered Design & Computing is more than a major; it’s a cross-industry, cross-discipline, cross-campus ecosystem. Rooted in the School of Communication, we partner with the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, as well as multiple departments across campus. Our faculty come from diverse backgrounds such as human factors in engineering, communication, psychology, education, computer science, interaction, industrial, and game design, allowing our students to work side by side with scientists, engineers, designers, and storytellers on groundbreaking projects with partners like NASA, NOAA, and UHealth. This unique blend of communication strategies, visual storytelling, data science, and technical innovation equips you to design digital experiences that are not only cutting-edge but also meaningful, ethical, and deeply human.
• Hands-On Innovation from Day One: Our student-first model gives you immediate access to cutting-edge tools in nationally award-winning labs like the VESL (Virtual Environment Simulation Lab), NERDLab, and UX Lab. Design VR experiences, build games, do research, design mobile apps, prototype wearables, or craft AI-enhanced interfaces, all while learning to design our soon-to-be future.
• Future-Proof Skills for Product Creators: Grounded in Interactive Systems Thinking, you'll gain expertise in UX/UI design, creative coding, physical computing & biometrics, and more. Core courses, such as Interaction Design, User Experience Design, and Artificial Intelligence and Creativity, lay the foundation. At the same time, electives like Building Virtual Worlds, Design with AI, or Voice Interfaces allow you to tailor your path. Add in portfolio reviews, and you'll graduate with a professional-grade showcase ready for the job market.
• Ethical and Impactful Focus: We emphasize designing with purpose, integrating human-computer interaction, ethics, and social responsibility. You'll explore how technology influences and impacts society, ensuring we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.
• Career Launchpad: This program future-proofs your skillset to thrive in an AI-fueled ecosystem, preparing you for high-demand roles in product design, UX research, game development, virtual reality, AI innovation, and startups.

Curriculum Requirements for Human-Centered Design & Computing

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Courses used to fulfill the core requirements cannot be double-counted toward a track. Track courses may be substituted with the approval of the department chair.

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In the Department of Interactive Media, all students pursuing the BSC in Interactive Media must prepare a digital portfolio as a fundamental requirement. This portfolio, with mandatory sophomore and senior portfolio reviews, is pivotal in their academic journey. Before advancing to their junior year, students must submit their sophomore portfolio for faculty evaluation and approval, a crucial milestone overseen by their faculty advisor. Similarly, seniors must undergo a final portfolio review before graduation, ensuring their work aligns with program standards and objectives. The portfolio is a representative overview, demonstrating students’ competence with the Interactive Media program’s learning outcomes. It’s not just a requirement; it’s a canvas to showcase innovative and creative abilities, positioning students for success in their future careers within the dynamic realm of Interactive Media. For guidance and feedback throughout this process, students are encouraged to engage with their faculty advisors, who are committed to helping them excel and achieve excellence in their portfolios, contributing to their academic growth and professional readiness. A grade of B or higher is required to fulfill the requirements of the portfolio courses.

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School of Communication students are required to complete a minimum of a minor (inside or outside of the school) in addition to their Communication major to graduate. For an optional 2nd major, please see your advisor. 

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School of Communication students must complete 6 credits of English Composition unless exempt based on SAT/ACT score or AP/IB exam, 3-6 credits of Mathematics, University Cognates and the Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Proficiency requirement. 

Upper Level Elective Requirement

36 credits at the 300 level or higher are required for graduation. These credits may be earned from your major, minor and/or second major, and electives. 

Suggested Plan of Study for Human-Centered Design & Computing

Additional Major Requirements for Human-Centered Design & Computing

Mission

Our mission is to cultivate designers and technologists who integrate human-centered principles with computational tools to enhance everyday life. We address the demand for innovators who can analyze, design, and deploy products that bridge technology and human experience, respond to cross-sector needs, and are ready for industry challenges. 

Goals

Key goals include providing expertise in designing and analyzing interactive systems, harnessing computational power for rich user interactions, and developing skills in emerging technologies such as AI/ML and immersive media. 

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate proficiency in designing emerging technology products, from concept to prototype.
• Students will understand and apply fundamental programming principles by developing interactive applications that use these principles.
• Students will explain the societal impact of digital media, ensuring your work drives positive change for individuals, organizations, and communities.