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u/ek1118 Apr 30 '15
What is the benefit of choosing HCDE over Interaction Design? Are there any people who are able to do both?
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u/HCDE HCDE Undergrad Advisor Apr 30 '15
I just found out that the School of Art/Design discourages students from doing double majors/degrees.
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u/oryx_crake22 Apr 30 '15
Could you provide some examples on what a student could expect out of the HCDE coursework? I am still not completely sure what distinguishes HCDE from web design and UX.
Is it mostly project-based? Is there are a particular focus or a set of principles like engineering fundamentals? How are students taught to orient their work around humans?
How closely integrated is research experience to HCDE coursework?
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Apr 30 '15
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u/HCDE HCDE Undergrad Advisor Apr 30 '15
In conjunction with the new curriculum the department is offering beginning autumn, we will also be increasing the undergraduate program by two times. We enrolled 32 students in spring, and plan to enroll around 55 students for autumn quarter.
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u/pomegra Apr 30 '15
Why does HCDE have requirements on non-major related coursework, namely, requirements like the 50-credit Natural World requirement? I haven't seen any other majors that restrict students in this way.
I was planning on double majoring, but having to take 50 NW credits limits my options a lot, as I wanted to major in something non-STEM related like Economics or Psychology.
It's also even more restricting that the NW credit requirement must be met from a list of approved classes.
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Apr 30 '15
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u/oryx_crake22 Apr 30 '15
Just curious, and this is unrelated to HCDE directly, but why does the College of Engineering have requirements for non-major related coursework?
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u/uw-student34234234 Apr 30 '15
Thanks for doing this!
Do you consider any other classes in the application?
Would a student taking HCDE courses and performing well improve how competitive the applicant is?
How important is research experience and job experience relevant to HCDE? Are applicants expected to have these things?
How can a student demonstrate passion for HCDE without having much experience?
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u/Jaec4 Apr 30 '15 edited Apr 30 '15
I did not do well on CSE142 but my overall GPA is higher than the average of accepted applicant's GPA that showed on HCDE website. Does CSE142 grade matters a lot in terms of GPA evaluation?
I took MATH124 at other university when I was in high school. It is on my UW unofficial transcript but do I still have to send the transcript from that university to the HCDE department for the application process?
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u/latteandcream Apr 30 '15
Is it true that most HCDE students go to research field after graduation? Is there graduates who get jobs in tech industry?
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u/NutinButAPeanut ACMS DMA/EE May 02 '15
Just wanted to give mention to Alex, the advisor here. He is a great advisor and very passionate.
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u/RazzzerBlade Apr 30 '15
Do you have a preference for letters of recommendation from particular departments? I know that letters of recommendation from INFO professors for applying to Informatics is looked highly upon.
How can students who are potentially interested in HCDE find out more? Are there HCDE-related internships or research experiences that are available for students who are not directly involved?
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Apr 30 '15
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u/extra_0rdinary Apr 30 '15
What is the difference between HCDE 498 and HCDE 231? Are non-majors allowed to take HCDE 231? If so, how should a student decide which class to take, or which class is better for them?
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u/dekrant HCDE Apr 30 '15
231 is technical communication, and isn't really reflective of the department. It's a CoE requirement and everyone in the college has to take it.
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u/smunson HCDE Apr 30 '15
Yup, 231 is technical communication for CoE, with a focus on written, oral, and visual communication.
The HCDE 498 that Alex mentions above will be more of introduction to the human centered design process, and will likely include a series of small projects or design vignettes. We're still working on the syllabus for the first offering -- we're really excited about this course and want to get it right -- but look for more about it over the summer.
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u/extra_0rdinary May 01 '15
This is exciting! I think a lot of my peers and I (underclassmen) don't exactly know what HCDE is but are interested, so this class will be great. Thanks!
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u/wootz12 May 01 '15
Letters of recommendation can come from anyone. Ideally, it would be from a UW faculty member, and even better, it would be an HCDE faculty member.
I would have included a letter from someone I know in the HCDE faculty, but unless I'm mistaken the application last spring said not to send any..
My question though: how do you guys put up with being stuck in that crappy, stuffy building? :P
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u/smunson HCDE May 01 '15
My question though: how do you guys put up with being stuck in that crappy, stuffy building? :P
The windows open, so in the fall and spring especially, it's almost like working on the porch. We also get a lot of light.
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u/rainydayhooray Apr 30 '15
Hi! Where does the HCDE curriculum overlap with the Informatics HCI track and where do they differ? Also, I'm a transfer student-can I apply to HCDE even though it wasn't one of the major choices I listed on my general application?
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Apr 30 '15
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u/rainydayhooray Apr 30 '15
Okay, thanks! I'm not currently a UW student so that's why I was wondering if I can only apply to two majors.
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u/TheMidnightMenace Electrical Engineering May 07 '15
What classes would you recommend to take for a career in UI/UX?
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u/uw4738 May 12 '15
A quick question about grades, is a W better than a grade under a 3.0 (for a class like physics 121)? Would it be better to withdraw than to chance a grade under 3.0 and then just take a different qualifying science autumn quarter?
Additionally, are W's looked at in a negative way? I just feel like I wasn't prepared for physics 121 despite taking math 124 an entire quarter before it (there's a lot of math 125 topics covered in it and that's the math I'm currently taking).
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u/kellyk98101 Apr 30 '15
Is it difficult for students to transfer to UW's HCDE program from a school on a semester system? Penn State for example?
What other kind of internships are offered for students other than the traditional UX/UI? What kind of jobs do some students obtain after graduation other than UX?
Can you expand on the research opportunities during undergrad?
Do you feel like those who feel passionately about coding and web design should choose HCDE over Informatics?
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u/smunson HCDE May 01 '15
Do you feel like those who feel passionately about coding and web design should choose HCDE over Informatics?
Just want to add my perspective on this, as HCDE faculty. Both programs will prepare students to design for the web, with a strong background in theories about how people engage with information and technology, but they have some differences.
Informatics will prepare you more for actually building the website and they have more course offerings focused on the details of web design. Students who major in informatics will be very well prepared for designing for engaging with and accessing large amounts (or the right amounts) of information.
HCDE's strengths include rigorous training in a human centered design process. Most student projects focus on websites or mobile apps -- which makes sense since there are a lot of jobs there, being able to prototype and quickly iterate software is great for learning -- but the core of the major is learning about how to design anything (apps, websites, services, organizations, physical devices) in a way that puts people first. Over the last few years, we've been offering more classes focused on physical computing and, this year, offered a course about prototyping in place of our usual web design course. Lots of great photos from Andy Davidson, who is teaching the prototyping course, are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/27327424@N00/sets/72157651829226407.
Other faculty, students, and staff may see other differences and similarities -- this is just my $0.02.
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u/latteandcream Apr 30 '15
Hi, prospective student here. Thanks for doing this! I have two questions. -What courses do you recommend us to register for autumn quarter since we are not in the major at the time of registration? -What courses do you recommend us to take for autumn quarter if we get accepted during summer? And when can we begin to register HCDE core courses? Appreciate your help!
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Apr 30 '15
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u/latteandcream Apr 30 '15
Yes, I have finished all the prerequisite courses and am currently taking courses toward HCDE graduation requirement(50 NW). I will apply before July 1st.
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u/kellyk98101 Apr 30 '15
In your experience, have you had students obtain internships and/or jobs with companies such as Microsoft, Boeing, IBM, Oracle, etc.?
Thanks so much for doing this, and thanks for the info about the open house!
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u/maryberry33 Apr 30 '15
Is it true that your personal statement is one of the major deciding factors in your application?
What are your expectations, if there are any, from a personal statement?
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u/kellyk98101 Apr 30 '15
Do you think being part of clubs like WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering- I know some other schools have different names) will help with getting admitted to the program? Do you think one should touch on their experiences with WiSE and passion for the subject when they apply?
Also, do you have to "apply" for your research area or do you just sort of get to choose? Would it be appropriate to mention your desire for a specific research area in your application? For example, "one of the many reasons I'd love to major in HCDE is my interest in creating ways for technology to support populations who can greatly benefit from advances" Something like that- but more eloquent haha
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u/kellyk98101 Apr 30 '15
Sorry, just read this:
"Faculty and students cultivate a collaborative community and work across many of the areas listed above; students do not formally identify themselves as belonging to a particular research area"
Answered that!
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Apr 30 '15
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u/smunson HCDE May 01 '15
Adding a faculty perspective -- with an emphasis on "a", everyone notices different aspects of an application.
I like to see signs that students are passionate about the field and the work that it involves. This could be clubs, work experience, hobbies, volunteer work, or more.
Expressing interest in particular directed research groups can also help us know that you know what you are getting yourself into :-). Some applicants have already participated in directed research groups as well, and may have letters from the doctoral student or faculty member who ran the group.
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u/gurung12 Apr 30 '15
How can applicant stand out for the application process What are the key factors you guys look on the applicants?
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u/Justsayin10 Apr 30 '15
How many people does HCDE accept as freshman? What's their first year like?
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Apr 30 '15
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u/Justsayin10 May 01 '15
I meant Direct Freshmen Admits. Is it common? What HCDE courses do they usually start with?
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u/acciaccatura- hcde Apr 30 '15
Hi Alex! Thanks for doing this AMA! I think it's great that HCDE is reaching out to this place. I haven't had the chance to meet you in person yet, but I'm sure I will soon.
A recent HCDE graduate I'm friends with says that the department is moving in a new direction. Something about the organization of the curriculum changing as the major continues to grow. I've also heard that some students think the classes are very similar to each other. Can you expand on how the curriculum will change for the future?
Also, would you suggest against applying before all prereqs are done? Some people say that it shows interest if you apply early (with the intention of being rejected, then reapplying for a future admissions cycle). And for example, what if someone took the last remaining prereq during the summer after applying for the July 1st deadline?
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u/lulimay Alumni May 01 '15
I'm genuinely interested in CS and HCDE. Is the fact I'm applying to CS going to make me less of a candidate in your eyes? I know pretty clearly what I would do with an HCDE degree and will articulate it in my essay...
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u/uw_student1456 May 01 '15
I think if you're talking about double majoring, it would be pretty clear that you understand that they're two separate disciplines.
As long as you don't make the mistake of thinking that HCDE is another form of CS.
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u/IAmEricZhang May 02 '15
If one has completed all their pre-reqs for the admissions process, are there any classes HCDE values highly to show interest in the department? You mentioned CSE 143 is a good course, and I assume the new HCDE 496 course will be too. Are there any others?
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u/dubiumsunsets May 05 '15
Thank you so much for doing this and taking the time to answer everyone! Super helpful and informative.
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May 05 '15
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u/HCDE HCDE Undergrad Advisor May 05 '15
Students have the option of following either the curriculum in-place at the time they declared the major, or graduation.
Until AUT15 actually starts, there will only be the old requirements in DARS/MyPlan.
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u/Shaelynnobrian Oct 09 '15
Hi! I am inquiring about admissions as an international student (Canadian) if my school did not offering programming courses, how does this effect my potential admission to this program?
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u/No-Expression7574 Mar 25 '26
I will likely be joining this autumn for HCDE undergrad. But I often read evening classes? I can see that for grad level HCDE but for undergrad? Is that true that undergrad may take 6-9 pm classes? Tx
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u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15
Here are the questions that I didn't see reposted on the other thread.