Connecting Devices to People and Systems. Methods, protocols, and prototyping for UI/UX design of embedded and IoT devices

Bruce Montgomery, PhD, PMP

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Embedded Interface Design SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

What you will learn

User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design considerations and methods for embedded devices and systems

Machine-to-machine (M2M) and internet of things (IoT) protocols and architectures, including leveraging cloud platforms for system designs

Rapid prototyping for embedded devices to explore interface and system designs, leveraging UI tools, single-board computers, sensors, and the cloud

Skills you will gain

User Interface Design (UI Design)Rapid PrototypingUser Experience (UX)Software DevelopmentInternet Of Things (IOT)UX and user researchUX and UI designUX verification and validationProject planning and analysisDesign of embedded devicesQt and HTML Interfacescloud connected systems

About this Specialization

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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.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Intermediate Level

Basic programming skill in Python, C, or other languages. Understanding of basic computer and embedded architectures, including IP networking.

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese (European), Russian, Spanish

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Intermediate Level

Basic programming skill in Python, C, or other languages. Understanding of basic computer and embedded architectures, including IP networking.

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese (European), Russian, Spanish

How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

UX and Interface Design for Embedded Systems

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5346, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

UX and Interface Design for Embedded Systems is the first of three classes in the Embedded Interface Design (EID) specialization, an online version of the on-campus EID class taught in graduate embedded systems design. This first course is focused on user experience (UX) and the related methods, practices, and principles that will help ensure your embedded interface designs for devices and systems are what your users both need and want. The class includes an introduction to UX, and then a four phase breakdown of a typical UX design process, including planning, user research, design methods, and testing for verification and validation. Much of the content provides generally applicable UX techniques, but particular focus is included for considerations in developing embedded devices. The class includes practical projects that let you try some of the key methods in a thorough interface design process.

Course2

Course 2

Rapid Prototyping of Embedded Interface Designs

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5347, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

Rapid Prototyping is the second of three classes in the Embedded Interface Design (EID) specialization, an online version of the on-campus EID class taught in graduate embedded systems design. This course is focused on rapid prototyping of devices and systems and the related methods, practices, and principles that will help ensure your embedded interface designs are what your users both need and want. The class includes an introduction to rapid prototyping, prototyping device and system user interfaces, prototyping devices, and design considerations and perspectives for devices. The content ranges from general design best practices to specifics for embedded devices of different types and specific flavors of user interfaces, but all are presented to support developing embedded devices. The class includes practical projects that let you try some of standard methods in software development of prototype graphical user interfaces for devices using Qt and HTML. This course can be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5347, part of CU Boulder's Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

Course3

Course 3

M2M & IoT Interface Design & Protocols for Embedded Systems

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5348, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

M2M and IoT Interface Design and Protocols is the third of three classes in the Embedded Interface Design (EID) specialization, an online version of the on-campus EID class taught in graduate embedded systems design. This course is focused on connecting devices to each other and to the cloud to create prototypes and actual systems that flow data from devices to consumers. The class includes an introduction to M2M (Machine-to-Machine) and IoT (Internet of Things) concepts, using the cloud to develop IoT systems (specifically AWS (Amazon Web Services) and its IoT framework), a review of common communications protocols at every level of connected devices, and other IoT design concerns such as security, message queuing approaches, and the use and design of APIs and microservices . The content ranges from general design best practices to specifics for select tools and methods, but all are presented to support developing embedded devices in IoT applications. The class includes practical projects that let you try some of standard methods in software development of prototype graphical user interfaces for devices using AWS, Python, and optionally Node.JS. This course can be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5348, part of CU Boulder's Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

Instructor

Bruce Montgomery, PhD, PMP

Sr. Instructor

Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering

2,591 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
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.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
Can I take the course for free?
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.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
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.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
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.
What background knowledge is necessary?
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.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
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.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
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.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
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.

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