User Experience and Interactive Media Design, Master's Programme, 120 credits

Validation

This programme syllabus was validated by the Faculty Board at Södertörn University on 2018-10-25 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree including 90 credits in Media Technology or equivalent as the main field of study and English B or equivalent

Programme outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the programme, the student is able to:

• synthesise and systematically integrate theories and concepts within the field of Media Technology, with a particular focus on the fields of user research, and user experience and interaction design.
• critically analyse and evaluate scientific work, method development, and research processes within media technology
• apply advanced theoretical knowledge of interactive media, user experience, interaction design, user-centred development, and design theory in analyses of complex problems related to media technology

Competence and skills

On completion of the programme, the student is able to:

• independently formulate a scientific problem statement, process it within the context of a scientific study, communicate the result in English, and thus contribute to knowledge development within the field of Media Technology
• critically reflect on and contextualise design solutions and practical design work related to media technology
• analyse and formulate design solutions for complex problems within media technology, where stakeholders and user groups are included in the process, communicate their solutions orally and in writing in English, and implement them in the form of media technology artefacts
• display good professional skills in the use of tools and methods from media design and interaction design

Judgement and approach

On completion of the programme, the student is able to:

• critically interpret ethical and legal prerequisites and demands that regulate research and development within the research field of media technology
• analyse the consequences of different design solutions with respect to ethics, norms, equality, sustainability, interaction, and communication
• evaluate the properties and qualities of design solutions and digital artefacts from different theoretical perspectives, and with respect to benefits to society, usability and use qualities.
• identify their need for additional knowledge and to take responsibility for their further development of knowledge

Applicability

This Master’s programme provides students with the opportunity to qualify for work in media technology, with a particular focus on interaction design, user experience design, and the design of interactive media. The programme focuses on the design and critical analysis of interactive media and digital artefacts and services in different contexts based on varying perspectives and values. Graduates have gained broad competence, meaning that they qualify for work in most stages of the design and development process. The programme is also a good foundation for a doctoral degree. The extensive theoretical and research preparatory parts of the programme give a good preparation for analytical work tasks and project-management roles.

Qualification

Title of qualification:

Degree of Master of Science (two years) in Media Techology

Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområdet medieteknik

Qualification stipulation:

Title of qualification Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Media Technology Qualification stipulation The student must previously have been awarded a degree of Bachelor of Science. The degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is awarded on completion of courses equivalent to 120 credits including a minimum of 30 second-cycle credits for a Master’s dissertation/independent project.

Programme design

The studies have a multidisciplinary basis and include humanistic, social scientific and technological perspectives. The courses address central concepts, theories and methods for media production and interaction design, with a particular focus on the analysis and design of interactive user experiences. Furthermore, the role and importance of interactive media in society is studied, as well as theories and methods within research related to the subject. Theoretical knowledge and practical skills are consistently applied and are tied together through practical projects. Courses in theory and method are integrated in an independent Master’s dissertation.

Compulsory courses

• Design of Interactive Media, 15 credits
• Design Theory and Design Research, 7.5 credits
• User Experience and User Research I, 7.5 credits
• User Experience and User Research II, 7.5 credits
• Critical Design, 7.5 credits
• Advanced Project Course, 15 credits
• Master’s Dissertation in Media Technology, 30 credits
• Optional courses covering 30 credits, see section 8 “Optional courses”

The student can also choose graduate early with a one year Master’s degree after completing 60 credits. Compulsory courses for a 60-credit degree are:

• Design of Interactive Media, 15 credits
• Design Theory and Design Research, 7.5 credits
• User Experience and User Research I, 7.5 credits
• User Experience and User Research II, 7.5 credits
• Critical Design, 7.5 credits
• Master’s Dissertation in Media Technology, 15 credits

A student on this programme is guaranteed a place on the compulsory courses or on the specialisations/courses within the programme. (For entry requirements, see 11, Other Stipulations.)

A student on a study programme is guaranteed a place on the compulsory courses or on the specializations/courses within the programme. (For entry requirements, see, Other Stipulations.)

Optional courses

The programme includes a number of optional courses, covering 30 credits in total. These courses can be taken at Södertörn university or at another university. The optional courses are in semester 3, which provides the opportunity to study an entire semester at another university. The optional courses should be in Media Technology or otherwise connected to the contents of the programme. The choice of external courses must be approved by the programme coordinator.

A student is guaranteed a place on a range of courses equivalent to a full workload. There is no guarantee that a student is offered a place on his/her first choice of course. For entry requirements, see course syllabus.

Degree project

The independent project on this Master’s programme is a Master’s dissertation worth 30 credits.

Credit transfer for prior studies

A student has the right to have prior learning assessed for accreditation within the study programme.

Other stipulations

For entry requirements for courses within a study programme, see course syllabus.