Postgraduate Course: Case Studies in Design Informatics 1 (INFR11094)
Course Outline
| School | School of Informatics |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Design Informatics is a new field where design thinking and methods are used to explore the application of computational and data technologies on products, services and systems. In this class we will explore case studies of where design and emerging computational technologies are coming together. You will also learn about design thinking, design methods and look at relevant qualitative research methods in the context of design theory. You will then work to develop a design research study in response to a brief |
| Course description |
This course introduces students to the emerging field of Design Informatics, using state of the art research projects and real examples. Students will learn to assess the limitations of the state of the art and critically appraise novel uses of the latest design methods, theories and technologies. The course is organised around a series of case study domains, which are introduced via lectures. Wherever possible, examples are taken from the ongoing or recent research at the University of Edinburgh. The case studies will be discussed with lecturers, tutors and fellow students in relation to theory, methods and their ethical, environmental and legal dimensions. There will be an assignment focused on critically appraising a design informatics case study. A second assignment will focus on developing a research study involving design methods for a selected case study domain or context. Students will work individually, with a member of academic staff as a mentor and with the opportunity to develop and critique ideas together with peers in tutorials
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | This course is open to all Informatics students including those on joint degrees. For external students where this course is not listed in your DPT, please seek special permission from the course organiser. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 92 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 9,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
161 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment 1 (50%):
A 1000 word report reflecting on an ethical, legal, social, or design aspect(s) of a chosen case study. This will be completed in the first section of the course.
Assessment 2 (50%):
A 1500 word report or 4-page annotated portfolio presenting the development of a design research study, plus 1000 words describing the rationale and practical plan for the study. This will be completed in the second section of the course.
Both assessments may include one or more low stakes engagement components. |
| Feedback |
Formative feedback will be through class interaction. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- discuss the research and design processes behind Design Informatics projects
- describe, with examples, the practical limits of current technologies and theories
- analyse in groups problems and suggest potential solutions, which can or should combine computational and design thinking
- conduct ethical research in Design Informatics
- critically evaluate research literature in the field, taking into account legal, social, ethical or professional issues
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Reading List
| Readings are provided by teachers. Each week students are asked to read one or more papers. The list varies from year to year. |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Zuzanna Lechelt
Tel:
Email: zlechelt@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Lindsay Seal
Tel: (0131 6)50 5194
Email: lindsay.seal@ed.ac.uk |
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