User Experience Design

<p>This introductory project familiarizes students with the fundamentals of user-centered design through a practical UX challenge. Working in teams, they explore analysis, concept development, design, and presentation phases. Students apply methods such as stakeholder analysis, personas, ideation, sketching, and wireframing. The project strengthens teamwork, social interaction, and documentation skills while introducing the complete UX process.</p>

<p>This module introduces the fundamentals of programming and software development using Java. Topics include algorithmic thinking, control structures, data types, methods, and key concepts of imperative and object-oriented programming. Students learn to use development tools, structure software applications, and create their own classes and objects, providing a foundation for advanced software development courses.</p>

<p>This module provides the mathematical foundations required for computer science and user experience design. Topics include logic, set theory, linear algebra, analytic geometry, systems of linear equations, and matrix operations. Students also study vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and modular arithmetic, developing a solid understanding of mathematical concepts relevant to technical disciplines.</p>

<p>This module introduces fundamental design principles for digital and print media. Topics include composition, layout, color theory, typography, and Gestalt principles. Students analyze design examples, develop their own creative concepts, and apply them in practical exercises. The course also introduces Adobe Creative Suite tools and supports creative development through excursions and collaborative discussions.</p>

<p>This module introduces the fundamentals of typography and visual ideation. Students explore typography, layout design, text composition, and microtypography, while also developing sketching and visualization skills for communicating ideas effectively. Through exercises in lettering, storyboarding, and visual composition, they strengthen their creative, design, and communication abilities.</p>

<p>This module develops English language skills for the fields of user experience design, usability, and information technology. Topics include technical vocabulary, intercultural communication, business correspondence, grammar, listening comprehension, and presentation techniques. The course strengthens students’ ability to communicate effectively in international professional and project environments.</p>

<p>This module introduces fundamental concepts of computer science with a focus on communication networks and database systems. Students learn about network architectures, Internet protocols, data transmission, and routing concepts. The course also covers database architectures, data modeling, relational databases, SQL, and the integration of database systems into business and software applications.</p>

<p>This module expands students’ knowledge of object-oriented programming using Java. Topics include inheritance, polymorphism, interfaces, exception handling, dynamic data structures, generics, and collections. Students also explore advanced programming concepts, software libraries, and the development of graphical user interfaces using Java technologies, focusing on the structured design of modern software applications.</p>

<p>This module provides the statistical foundations required for planning, conducting, and evaluating user studies. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, correlation, and regression methods. Students learn how to interpret statistical results and apply statistical techniques using Python through practical exercises and real-world examples.</p>

<p>This module expands students’ knowledge of design methods and processes for digital media and user experience design. Students develop visual concepts, analyze design solutions, and apply advanced principles of layout, typography, interaction, and visual communication. Practical projects promote creative problem-solving and the user-centered design of digital products and experiences.</p>

<p>This module introduces the psychological foundations of human information processing and their relevance for human-computer interaction. Topics include perception, attention, learning, memory, motivation, emotions, and individual differences. Students explore how people process and communicate information and derive design principles for creating effective, user-friendly interactive systems.</p>

<p>This module introduces the foundations of modern web technologies and interactive web application development. Topics include client-side technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frontend frameworks, as well as server-side concepts including PHP, sessions, cookies, AJAX, and REST. Through practical projects, students design user interfaces and develop dynamic web applications using current web development technologies.</p>

<p>This module introduces the methods and processes of professional software engineering. Students learn how to capture requirements systematically, design software architectures, apply coding standards, and ensure software quality through appropriate testing techniques. Topics include requirements engineering, UML modeling, software design, testing methods, and development processes for building reliable and maintainable software systems.</p>

<p>This module introduces the user-centered design process for digital user interfaces. Students work through all phases, from ideation and sketching to wireframing, prototyping, and visual interface design. The course covers usability methods, interaction design, animation, and presentation techniques, with a strong focus on creating intuitive, engaging, and aesthetically pleasing user experiences.</p>

<p>This module introduces the technical foundations of modern human-computer interaction. Topics include two- and three-dimensional input and output technologies such as touchscreens, speech interfaces, eye tracking, virtual and augmented reality systems, and haptic devices. Students explore current interaction technologies and evaluate their usability, human perception aspects, and application scenarios.</p>

<p>This module introduces the fundamentals of business administration and entrepreneurship. Topics include organization, marketing, finance, accounting, investment analysis, innovation management, and business model development. Students explore entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship concepts and apply them in a startup project by developing product ideas, business models, and marketing strategies.</p>

<p>This module introduces the fundamentals of user-centered web design and web usability. Topics include information architecture, navigation design, page layout, web content, multimedia integration, and usability testing methods. Students also learn accessibility principles and apply techniques for evaluating and improving the usability and accessibility of digital products and web applications.</p>

<p>This module introduces methods and processes of product design, from analysis and concept development to prototyping. Topics include design history, design theory, form and material considerations, and manufacturing processes. Through practical projects, students create and visualize design concepts while applying project and time management techniques to develop innovative and user-centered products.</p>

<p>This module introduces the foundations of computer graphics and 3D design. Topics include mathematical principles, 3D modeling, rendering, texturing, lighting, shadow generation, and animation. Students learn modern techniques for creating and visualizing three-dimensional scenes, including the use of scene graphs and game engines, while developing both technical and design-oriented competencies.</p>

<p>This module introduces methods and principles of human-computer interaction within a user-centered development process. Students learn approaches for analyzing, designing, implementing, and evaluating interactive systems. Topics include requirements analysis, prototyping, usability methods, perception psychology, design guidelines, and qualitative and quantitative evaluation techniques for user-friendly digital products.</p>

<p>This module introduces traditional and agile project management methods with a special focus on user experience design projects. Students learn how to define, plan, manage, and control projects, including risk and stakeholder management. The course also covers agile approaches such as Scrum, enabling students to efficiently organize and execute interdisciplinary design and development projects.</p>

<p>This preparatory internship seminar supports students in preparing for internships and working student positions. The course focuses on creating professional application documents and digital portfolios, reflecting on personal strengths, and addressing workplace challenges. Through feedback sessions, guest lectures, and practical exercises, students develop communication, social, and career-related skills.</p>

<p>The internship enables students to deepen the knowledge and skills acquired in the User Experience Design program. Students select a suitable company in Germany or abroad, work independently on defined tasks, and apply scientific methods to real-world challenges. Their experiences, results, and insights are systematically documented and reflected upon in an internship report.</p>

<p>This post-internship seminar focuses on the professional preparation and presentation of practical work results. Students reflect on their internship experiences, analyze presentation techniques, and connect practical insights with academic knowledge. Through discussions, feedback, and knowledge sharing, they strengthen their presentation, communication, and reflective skills.</p>

<p>This module introduces the fundamental methods of academic work and information literacy. Students learn how to identify suitable research topics, systematically search for and critically evaluate scientific sources, and understand the structure of academic publications. The course also covers proper citation practices, reference management, and the effective organization of scientific literature.</p>

<p>This module introduces the fundamentals of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Topics include perception, immersion, interaction concepts, and input/output technologies for immersive systems. Students learn how to design, develop, and evaluate VR/AR applications. In the lab, they create their own applications using Unity 3D and gain hands-on experience with current VR and AR devices.</p>

<p>In this project module, students work in teams on a semester-long project in the fields of information technology, user experience, or design. They follow the complete development process from analysis and research through concept development and implementation to evaluation and presentation. The course strengthens project management, teamwork, and documentation skills while addressing real-world challenges.</p>

<p>This module prepares students for conducting scientific studies and thesis projects in user experience research. Topics include research question development, study design, data collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis methods, and the communication of results. Students learn how to plan, conduct, evaluate, and present user studies for the evidence-based assessment of interactive systems.</p>

<p>This module introduces the security foundations of mobile and web-based applications. Topics include common vulnerabilities, attack vectors, protection mechanisms, and secure programming practices for apps and web applications. Students learn cryptographic concepts, secure communication techniques, and security-related usability aspects, enabling them to design and implement more secure digital systems.</p>

<p>This academic seminar explores current topics in human-computer interaction, usability, and user experience. Students conduct literature reviews, develop concepts or prototypes, and present their findings in both an oral presentation and a scientific seminar paper. Through discussion and critical reflection, they strengthen their skills in research, analysis, academic writing, and professional communication.</p>

<p>The advanced elective modules allow students in the sixth and seventh semesters to specialize according to their individual interests and career goals. The portfolio is updated each semester and reflects current developments in research and industry. Courses are taught by university lecturers and external industry experts, providing students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and develop specialized competencies in selected subject areas.</p>

<p>The advanced elective modules allow students in the sixth and seventh semesters to specialize according to their individual interests and career goals. The portfolio is updated each semester and reflects current developments in research and industry. Courses are taught by university lecturers and external industry experts, providing students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and develop specialized competencies in selected subject areas.</p>

<p>This seminar supports students throughout the preparation and completion of their bachelor’s thesis. Students present and discuss their research results and gain insights into scientific methods, academic writing, and good research practice. Topics include literature review, study design, result presentation, and scientific communication, helping students successfully complete and defend their bachelor’s thesis.</p>

<p>The bachelor’s thesis represents the final academic achievement of the User Experience Design degree program. Students independently investigate a practice-oriented research problem using scientific methods. This includes literature research, prototype design and evaluation, user studies, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Results are systematically documented, critically reflected upon, and developed through regular consultation with the supervisor.</p>