Master's Degree Programme in Universal Design of ICT Programplan

The Master's programme in Universal Design of ICT (MAUU) aims to meet the growing need of society for knowledge and expertise in universal design of ICT solutions such as web and mobile applications, e-services, e-commerce and self-service machines. With an emerging e-society, it is becoming essential that all electronic information and services are accessible for all, regardless of the device, the situation, or the abilities of the user.

In Norway and many other countries, it is becoming a legal requirement that ICT solutions can be used by as many people as possible, including people with disabilities, so that all citizens can take an active part in social activities, education and employment. This poses great challenges for competent ICT professionals and society's ICT infrastructure and services. This Master's Programme provides a specialisation in Universal Design of ICT, which goes beyond the current Bachelor programmes in engineering, including electronics, computer science, information science and applied computer technology.

The full time Master's programme is intensive. Combining the full time Master's programme with other courses or employment is not recommended.

The Master's programme targets individuals who wish to qualify as specialists in universal design of ICT solutions. It is relevant for those with competences in human-computer interaction, as well as interaction designers, software engineers, related professionals in public sectors, non-profit organizations and private sectors, and those who are interested in further studies at doctoral level.

In order to be qualified for this Master's programme, applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology or other equivalent qualifications, which include at least 80 ECTS within the field of computer science.

Please note that proof of English proficiency is also required. You are required to upload your own copy of your test results. Please refer to specific information.

When applying, applicants will be ranked in accordance with the regulations relating to admission to Master's Degree Programmes at HiOA.

Applicants with 1-9 ECTS in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) will get 1 additional point in the application process, ref. § 6 (3) in the admission regulations. Applicants with at least 10 ECTS in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) will get an additional 2 points in the application process, ref. § 6 (3) in the admission regulations.

Students who get at least one additional point will also be exempt from one of the coursework requirements in MAUU4200 / MAUUD4200, due to their pre-required knowledge.

Admission to single courses from the program has the same academic requirement as general acceptance to the program, ref. § 3 in the admission regulations.

On successful completion of their Master's degree, the candidate should have the following qualifications defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion, the candidate

• has advanced knowledge of universal design and specialized knowledge in ICT

• has a thorough knowledge of scholarly theory and methods in universal design of ICT

• can apply knowledge in new areas of universal design of ICT

• can analyse problems and solutions based on the history, traditions, characteristics and societal context of universal design and ICT

Skills

On successful completion, the candidate

• can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments

• can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations within universal design of ICT and work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving

• can use relevant research and development methods in an independent manner

• can plan and implement an independent, well-defined research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics guidelines

General competence

On successful completion, the candidate

• can analyse relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems

• can apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas to carry out advanced assignments and projects within universal design of ICT

• can communicate comprehensive and independent study and master language and terminology in universal design of ICT

• can communicate academic problems, analysis and conclusions in universal design of ICT to both specialists and the general public

• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes within universal design of ICT

• has practical experience working with diverse user groups with a variety of needs for universal design

Note that the individual course descriptions provide further details.

The learning outcomes will be achieved by means of different learning methods adapted to each individual course. Teaching methods include lectures, assignments, seminars, project work and the use of online learning resources. Project work is carried out both in groups and individually.

The programme is based on student-centred learning methods, with student-run seminars and project work that require active participation from students. Students will receive feedback on their presentations and reports.

For seminar-based courses, it is essential for students to be prepared to follow the presentations and actively participate in projects and discussions.

This programme is suitable for incoming exchange students in the first semester taking these courses; MAUU4100, MAUU4200 and MAUU4300, totalling 30 ECTS.

Students affiliated with the programme have two opportunities to apply for doing parts of the programme abroad.

1. In the 3rd semester, students who choose to take the elective course MAUU5030 / MAUUD5030 Globalization of Technology 10 ECTS, may apply to carry out a course project abroad for one to four weeks.

2. In the 3rd or 4th semester, students may apply to carry out parts of their master projects and proceed to write their Master's Thesis abroad. This must be based on a "professor-to-professor" arrangement, with an agreement between the student's appointed supervisor and a professor at a higher educational institution abroad, who collaborate with the Universal Design of ICT research group. The agreement is required to ensure that the master project is of mutual interest for all parties, and for establishing necessary supervision abroad. The student's supervisor will be able to continue giving remote supervision from Norway via email and video/conference-calling.

Requirements:

• An average grade C in previously completed courses.

• Acceptance from a receiving professor or institution to an exchange-stay with the necessary academic relevance. Per November 9, 2016 we have no agreements with receiving institutions or professors, but are working towards establishing this.

• Applications for going abroad must be sent by e-mail to studie-tkd@hioa.no

Deadlines: One month prior to alternative 1) and one semester prior to alternative 2).

Students submit the Master's Thesis for assessment to, and get their ECTS from, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences.

Please note that it is not currently possible to combine this programme with the ordinary HiOA programmes for exchange and study abroad.

A coursework requirement is a compulsory piece of work/activity that must be approved before the student may take an examination. Coursework requirements are assessed "approved" or "not approved".

Not approved coursework requirements

Legitimate absence based on, for example, a medical certificate, does not exempt students from meeting the coursework requirements. Students who due to illness or any other documented legitimate absence, who do not meet the coursework requirements within the appointed deadline, should as far as possible, be given a new attempt to meet the requirements, before the relevant examination. An agreement with the relevant lecturer must be made in each individual case.

If, due to the nature of the subject/course, it is not possible to implement a new attempt to meet the requirements, before the course exam the student must expect to submit the coursework requirements at the next possible submission deadline. This may lead to a delay in progression through the Master's programme.

If a work requirement is assessed «not approved», students have two chances to retake the work requirement. A work requirement that three times is assessed «not approved», will result in loss of the right to take the course exam.

Provisions governing examinations are laid down in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and  the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences . Please refer to student.hioa.no.

Assessment methods vary between courses. They includes written reports, oral presentations, portfolio assessments and oral examinations. The Master's project will be assessed based on the thesis and an oral presentation and examination. The grading scale ranges from A (highest) to F (lowest) where A to E are pass grades and F is a fail grade. Both part of the examination need to be passed (i.e. minimum E grade in both parts) in order to pass the exam as a whole. Further details on assessment methods can be found in the individual course descriptions.

A portfolio assessment provides an overall assessment awarding one grade for the whole portfolio. Students may only appeal against the determination of the examination grade awarded for the whole portfolio. Any information on weighting of grades must be considered as supplementary information in connection with the final grade. If the portfolio consists of elements such as an oral presentation, practical work etc., the examination result can not be appealed against. The right to appeal is stated in the individual course descriptions.

If the examination in a course consists of more than one part, all parts of the examination must be passed in order to pass the course.

Normally each course have two internal examiners to assess students' work. Each semester one course will be chosen to include an external examiner, thus the student's work will be assessed by one external and one internal examiner. The Master's thesis is assessed by the student's supervisor and one external examiner.

External programme supervisors

External programme supervisors are a part of ensuring the quality of the individual study programmes. An external programme supervisor is not an examiner, but someone who supervises the quality of the study programmes. All study programmes at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences are supervised by an external programme supervisor. However, how the external programme supervisors are used may vary. Reference is made to Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at HiOA (available in Norwegian only).

Quality Assurance System

The purpose of the Quality Assurance System at HiOA is to strengthen the students' learning outcome and development by increasing the quality throughout.  HiOA wants to cooperate with its students and their participation in the Quality Assurance System is crucial. Some of the overall goals of the Quality Assurance System are to ensure

• the educational institution, including practical training, learning and study environment maintains a high standard

• relevance of the study programmes for the professional field

• continuous development and improvements in the quality of teaching and learning

Student evaluations:

• Course evaluations.

• Annual student survey, common for all students at HiOA.

More information about the Quality Assurance System.

[1] Please note that elective courses will only be taught if a minimum of students are registered for the course. (Minimum 10 students).