Curriculum – HCI master

18-Month Learning Journey

Our comprehensive curriculum combines core HCI knowledge with specialized electives, culminating in an independent research thesis project.

General Rules: All courses correspond to a load of 6 ECTS each. The students are required to successfully complete 5 courses per academic semester for semesters 1 and 2 and the Master Thesis in semester 3 (90 ECTS total).

HCI101 – Cognitive Ergonomics (Core)

Explores the cognitive principles underlying human-computer interaction, focusing on perception, attention, memory, and decision-making processes. Students learn to apply cognitive psychology theories to design more intuitive and efficient interactive systems that align with human cognitive capabilities and limitations.

HCI102 – Research Methods (Core)

Provides comprehensive training in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies essential for HCI research. Covers experimental design, user studies, survey methods, data collection techniques, and statistical analysis. Students gain practical experience in designing and conducting rigorous HCI research studies.

HCI103 – Interactive Technologies (Elective)

Examines emerging interactive technologies including touch interfaces, gesture-based systems, wearable devices, and multimodal interaction. Students explore the design, implementation, and evaluation of novel interaction paradigms, gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge interactive technologies and prototyping tools.

HCI104 – Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality (Elective)

HCI105 – Artificial Intelligence (Elective)

Explores AI techniques and their applications in HCI, including machine learning, neural networks, and intelligent user interfaces. Focuses on adaptive systems, personalization, recommender systems, and AI-enhanced interaction design. Students learn to integrate AI capabilities into interactive applications.

HCI106 – Collaboration Technologies (Elective)

Studies technologies and design principles for computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) and collaborative systems. Covers synchronous and asynchronous collaboration, social computing, online communities, and gaming collaboration. Students design and evaluate collaborative applications for various contexts including education and entertainment.

HCI109 – Information Visualization (Elective)

Teaches principles and techniques for visual representation of complex data and information. Covers visualization design, interactive data exploration, visual analytics, and storytelling with data. Students learn to create effective visualizations using modern tools and libraries while understanding perceptual and cognitive foundations.

HCI110 – Software Quality (Elective)

Examines software quality assurance methodologies, metrics, and standards relevant to interactive systems. Covers usability testing, quality models, software verification and validation, and continuous improvement processes. Students learn to assess and ensure quality throughout the software development lifecycle.

HCI1xx – Other Elective Courses

Allows students to broaden their knowledge by selecting courses from other master's programs at the University of Patras. Options may include courses from Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Psychology, or Business Administration, enabling interdisciplinary learning tailored to individual career goals.

HCI201 – Design and Evaluation of Interactive Systems (Core)

Provides comprehensive coverage of user-centered design methodologies and evaluation techniques for interactive systems. Students learn iterative design processes, prototyping methods, heuristic evaluation, usability testing, and accessibility considerations. Emphasizes practical application through design projects and user studies.

HCI107 – Introduction to Human-Robot Interaction (Elective)

Explores the emerging field of human-robot interaction, covering robot perception, communication modalities, social robotics, and collaborative robots. Students examine design challenges for natural human-robot communication and learn to develop and evaluate robot interfaces for various application contexts including healthcare and service robotics.

HCI108 – Statistical Methods in Human-Computer Interaction (Elective)

Provides advanced statistical training specifically tailored for HCI research and evaluation. Covers experimental design, hypothesis testing, ANOVA, regression analysis, and multivariate methods. Students gain practical skills in analyzing user study data, interpreting results, and reporting findings in accordance with HCI research standards.

HCI202 – Design of Web Applications (Elective)

Covers modern web application design principles, responsive design, progressive web apps, and user experience optimization for web platforms. Students learn current web technologies, frameworks, and best practices for creating accessible, performant, and engaging web applications. Includes hands-on projects using contemporary web development tools.

HCI203 – Speech and Natural Language Processing (Elective)

Introduces computational techniques for processing and understanding human language, including speech recognition, natural language understanding, dialogue systems, and conversational interfaces. Students explore the design of voice user interfaces and chatbots, learning both theoretical foundations and practical implementation techniques.

HCI205 – Ubiquitous Computing (Elective)

Examines pervasive and context-aware computing systems that seamlessly integrate into everyday environments. Covers sensor networks, mobile computing, context recognition, ambient intelligence, and the Internet of Things. Students design and prototype ubicomp applications considering privacy, security, and ethical implications.

HCI206 – Creative Design Lab (Not Offered)

Provides a hands-on studio environment for creative exploration and innovation in interaction design. Students work on open-ended design challenges, experiment with novel materials and technologies, and develop innovative interactive prototypes. Emphasizes creativity, iteration, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

HCI207- Front End Web Programming (Elective)

Focuses on modern front-end development technologies and practices including JavaScript frameworks, component-based architectures, state management, and client-side rendering. Students build sophisticated single-page applications while learning performance optimization, testing strategies, and contemporary development workflows.

HCI208 – Design of Location-based Applications (Elective)

Explores the design of mobile and location-aware applications utilizing GPS, mapping technologies, and spatial context. Covers location-based services, augmented reality, navigation interfaces, and geospatial visualization. Students develop location-based applications while considering usability challenges specific to mobile and situated contexts.

HCI211 – Brain-Computer Interaction (Elective)

Introduces brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies and their applications in HCI. Covers EEG signal processing, cognitive state detection, neurofeedback systems, and adaptive interfaces based on brain activity. Students explore cutting-edge research in neural interaction and develop an understanding of both opportunities and limitations of BCI systems.

HCI1xx – Other Elective Courses

HCI301 Master Thesis

The Master Thesis is undertaken during the third semester of studies, under the supervision of one of the faculty members of participating departments. A list of areas of research will be announced. Students will be encouraged to do part of their thesis work in industry or collaborating institutions in Greece or abroad. The Thesis is presented publicly and examined and approved by a three-member examination board, chaired by the Thesis supervisor.

The program for the spring semester will be announced after exams.

Important dates

February exams period: January 19^th 2026 until February 6^th 2026
June exams period: June 8^th 2026 until June 26^th 2026
September exams period: August 28^th until September 30^th 2026

Master Thesis should be presentend duric the exam periods.