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Specialization - 3 course series
The
objective of this specialization is to provide an understanding of interface design
approaches and architectures for creating solid user experiences in embedded system prototypes and
products. For both machine and user interfaces,
we will look at the best practices for the interface design process, including
considerations of the nature and content of interaction, whether between devices, between a device and a user, or in more complex systems.
Applied Learning Project
Projects provide experience in using key UX design methods, prototyping software-based embedded GUIs, and leveraging the cloud for prototyping IoT system elements while leveraging a wide array of functionality. Software elements include Python, Node.JS, Qt, HTML, and AWS.
CU-Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.
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There are three courses in the specialization: UI and UX, Rapid Prototyping, and M2M & IoT Protocols - each will take 4 to 5 calendar weeks, not including the final exam.
You should be comfortable in programming and basic computer architecture. The two classes with programming assignments use Python and Node.JS, but if you are an experienced C programmer that hasn't used these languages (as with many on campus students), the languages are easy to pick up and use. We do not teach Python or Node.JS in the class, but we do include some references and examples.
It is recommended (but not required) to take the Rapid Prototyping course before the M2M & IoT Protocols course, as the programming examples will build on themselves more naturally.
Optionally, the three courses can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder's Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree and related certificate programs.
The courses ideally support your own development of interfaces from embedded devices to people, systems, and other devices. Interfaces you'll be able to create include physical device controls, interactive graphic UIs, APIs and messaging interfaces, and connections to mobile, web, and cloud based systems. You'll get some experience with common UX design techniques, UI tools like Qt and HTML, and developing Python and Node.JS to make message-based connections to Amazon Web Services, a typical IoT cloud framework.
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.