Human-Computer Interaction, B.S.
About the B.S. in HCI
The Bachelor of Science in Human-Computer Interaction will produce HCI specialists who are technically skilled and adept at designing and prototyping interactive solutions with the latest digital technologies. Students graduating from the HCI primary will have a unique perspective on how digital products and services impact humans, and also how they can be designed to have a positive impact.
Students in this major will have a strong Computer Science core of programming, algorithms, systems and mathematical foundations, just like the other undergraduate majors in SCS. They will specialize by making core elements of human-computer interaction the primary focus of their upper-level classes, and can explore a large range of HCI topics in greater depth through their elective choices. In the final capstone project course, they will work as part of an interdisciplinary student team to produce innovative digital solutions for a problem presented by a client.
Responding to the Demand for HCI in Tech
Our corporate partners spoke of the need for competitive entry-level professionals who can enter the workforce with a solid understanding of HCI. This technical program will prepare graduates to understand and create innovative services, systems and applications that serve all people. Students will have the opportunity to design for a range of digital technologies, including web, mobile, IoT, VR, AR, sensors, fabrication, gadgets and more.
There is also a need for HCI practitioners with a "T-shaped person" knowledgebase. That is, professionals who exhibit broad knowledge and diverse technical skills, as well as a valuable focus in a specialization area. HCI majors will build a broad foundational knowledge in computing, mathematics and statistics; development skills for digital and interactive technologies; and experience with methods of rapid prototyping, all of which will help them to collaborate with their peers in related fields.
Opportunities for B.S. in HCI Grads
Graduates with this rigorous background will serve key roles in the tech industry. B.S. in HCI graduates will be poised to take on strategic roles at early stages of their careers, including Front End Engineer, Interaction Designer, Technical Product Manager and UX Engineer positions. HCI students aiming for research careers or graduate school can select a senior thesis option and conduct independent research work under the mentorship of HCI faculty.
Program Outcomes
Students in the B.S. program in HCI are expected to acquire and demonstrate the following skills upon graduation:
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills in computing needed to understand, design, implement, and maintain functional, human-centered computing systems. The knowledge includes:
- Theoretical foundation in computer science
- Development skill for software and digital technologies
- Knowledge of relevant mathematics and statistics
- Development skill for technical platforms used in interactive technologies
- Methods for rapid prototyping
- Demonstrate knowledge of the domains impacted by computational technologies and services, enabling students to design computing systems that address domain-specific challenges and generate positive impacts for stakeholders.
- Demonstrate skills in HCI processes that enable the design, evaluation, and improvement of interactive computational systems to enhance usability, accessibility, user experience, and societal and business impacts. Skills in HCI processes include:
- Mastery of methodologies and techniques for user research and design (needs finding, synthesis)
- Interaction design skill (ideation, concept validation, design)
- Mastery of methodologies for evaluating success and impact of digital products and services
- Ability to address an ill-defined design problem through integration of HCI and design methods
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of behavioral science and its relationship to interactive technologies to better understand how humans function individually, in groups, and in societies, and how interactive technologies can influence, and be influenced by, psychological, social, and cultural factors.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of business, leadership, and communication in order to effectively manage projects, collaborate with diverse teams, and translate technical solutions into organizational and societal value.
- Project management, leadership, and teamwork skill
- Technical communication
- Skill in articulating business value and strategic significance of HCI projects
Curriculum - B.S. in Human-Computer Interaction
The following requirements are for students entering Fall 2026.
The primary major in HCI supports students by preparing them with very strong technical knowledge, skills, and understanding. HCI majors must take a minimum of 360 units distributed as follows:
- CS Core: 5 courses + freshman immigration course
- Core @ CMU: 3 units
- Mathematics and Statistics: 4 courses
- HCI Core: 7 courses
- Psychology: 1 course
- HCI Electives: 2 courses
- SCS Elective: 1 course
- HCI Capstone Project: 1 course
- Free Electives: 4 courses
- Science and Engineering: 4 courses
- Humanities and Arts (Gen Ed): 7 courses
Computer Science Core (5 courses + immigration course)
| Prerequisite Courses | Units | |
| 15-112 | Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 12 |
| or 02-120 | Programming for Scientists | |
| 07-131 | Great Practical Ideas for Computer Scientists | 2 |
| Required Courses | Units | |
| 07-128 | First Year Seminar | 3 |
| 15-122 | Principles of Imperative Computation | 12 |
| 15-150 | Principles of Functional Programming | 12 |
| 15-151 | Mathematical Foundations for Computer Science If not offered, substitute 21-127 or 21-128 | 12 |
| 15-210 | Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms | 12 |
| 15-213 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 12 |
Mathematics and Statistics Core (4 courses)
| Prerequisite Course | Units | |
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
| Required Courses | ||
| 21-122 | Integration and Approximation | 10 |
| 21-259 | Calculus in Three Dimensions | 10 |
| Select one of the following courses: | ||
| 15-259 | Probability and Computing | 12 |
| 21-325 | Probability | 9 |
| 36-218 | Probability Theory for Computer Scientists | 9 |
| 36-225 | Introduction to Probability Theory | 9 |
| Select one of the following courses: | ||
| 15-251 | Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science | 12 |
| 21-241 | Matrices and Linear Transformations | 11 |
| 21-242 | Matrix Theory | 11 |
| 36-226 | Introduction to Statistical Inference | 9 |
| 36-401 | Modern Regression | 9 |
HCI Core (7 courses)
| Research & Evaluation Courses (2) | Units | |
| 05-410 | User-Centered Research and Evaluation | 12 |
| Select one: | ||
| 36-202 | Methods for Statistics & Data Science | 9 |
| 36-315 | Statistical Graphics and Visualization | 9 |
| 70-208 | Regression Analysis | 9 |
| Ideation & Design Courses (3) | ||
| 05-360 | Interaction Design Fundamentals | 12 |
| Select two: | ||
| 05-361 | Advanced Interaction Design | 12 |
| 05-312 | The AI Augmented Designer | 12 |
| 05-315 | Persuasive Design | 12 |
| 05-317 | Design of Artificial Intelligence Products | 12 |
| 05-362 | Transformational Game Design Studio | 12 |
| 05-418 | Design Educational Games | 12 |
| 05-452 | Service Design | 12 |
| 05-470 | Digital Service Innovation | 12 |
| *Some (but not all) special topics classes (05-499) might also count towards the design requirements. Please consult with an HCI undergraduate advisor. | ||
| Required Technical Core (2) | ||
| 05-380 | Prototyping Algorithmic Experiences | 12 |
| 05-431 | Software Structures for User Interfaces | 12 |
| Note: It is recommended that students take 05-380 in spring of their sophomore year and 05-431 in fall of their sophomore or junior year) | ||
Psychology (1 course)
| Select one: | Units | |
| 85-110 | Cognitive Psychology | 9 |
| 85-150 | Social Psychology | 9 |
| 85-251 | Personality | 9 |
| 85-213 | Human Information Processing and Artificial Intelligence | 9 |
| 85-421 | Language and Thought | 9 |
| 85-413 | Perception | 9 |
| 88-120 | Reason, Passion and Cognition | 9 |
| Note: The Psychology course fulfills the Category 1: Cognition, Choice and Behavior requirement for HCI majors. | ||
HCI Electives (2 courses)
| HCI Technical Elective (1) | Units | |
| Select one: | ||
| 05-318 | Human AI Interaction | 12 |
| 05-333 | Gadgets, Sensors and Activity Recognition in HCI | 12 |
| 05-434 | Machine Learning in Practice | 12 |
| 05-839 | Interactive Data Science | 12 |
| 11-411 | Natural Language Processing | 12 |
| 10-301 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 12 |
| 07-280 | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning I | 12 |
| 15-388 | Practical Data Science | 9 |
| 15-464 | Technical Animation | 12 |
| 15-362 | Computer Graphics | 12 |
| 15-466 | Computer Game Programming | 12 |
| 15-494 | Cognitive Robotics: The Future of Robot Toys | 12 |
| 16-467 | Introduction to Human Robot Interaction | 12 |
| 17-428 | Machine Learning and Sensing | 12 |
| 17-437 | Web Application Development | 12 |
| 17-537 | Artificial Intelligence Methods for Social Good | 9 |
HCI General (05-xxx) Elective (1 course)
The remaining (1) elective can be chosen from the above lists or from the pre-approved list of HCI electives. Other options will require approval from the program director.
SCS Elective (1 Course)
This elective can be from any SCS department; 200-level or above, at least 9 units (see exceptions below): Computer Science [15-], Computational Biology [02-], Human Computer Interaction [05-], Machine Learning [10-], Language Technologies [11-], Robotics [16-], and Software Engineering [17-]. (NOTE: The following undergraduate courses do NOT count as Computer Science electives: 02-201, 02-223, 02-261. Some IDEATE courses and some SCS undergraduate and graduate courses might not be allowed based on course content. Consult with HCI advisor before registration to determine eligibility for this requirement.
*Additionally: 1) Students who take two intro minis from 02-180, 05-180, 07-180, and 16-180 during their first year may use these two courses together as one SCS elective. 2) 07-400 and 07-599 are countable as SCS electives.
HCI Capstone Project (1 course)
| 05-571 | Undergraduate Project in HCI | 12 |
Science & Engineering (4 courses)
Four courses in the domain of science and engineering are required, of which at least one must have a laboratory component and at least two must be from the same department. These courses typically come from the Mellon College of Science and the College of Engineering (CIT). Courses with a primary focus on programming, computation or mathematics are not acceptable for science or engineering courses. Requirements for this component of the degree are listed under the SCS General Education Requirements.
Humanities & Arts (7 courses)
These requirements follow the SCS General Education requirements for Humanities & Arts. Requirements for this component of the degree are listed under the SCS General Education Requirements.
NOTE: The Psychology requirement of the HCI core will satisfy the General Education requirement for Category 1: Cognition, Choice & Behavior.
Core@CMU (1 Course)
| The following course is required of all CMU students: | ||
| 99-101 | Core@CMU | 3 |
Free Electives (4 courses)
A free elective is any Carnegie Mellon course. However, a maximum of 9 units of Physical Education and/or Military Science (ROTC) and/or Student-Led (StuCo) courses may be used toward fulfilling graduation requirements. These could be used for optional Research Track or an optional minor or concentration.