Why Is UX or UI Design Not Part of Core Computer Engineering Courses?

When it comes to the core curricula of computer engineering, the focus is typically centered around technical aspects such as hardware design, software development, algorithms, and systems architecture. User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design, while incredibly important, are often not included in these core courses. This article explores the reasons behind this exclusion and how this might change in the future.

Disciplinary Focus

Computer Engineering's Technical Focus: The discipline of computer engineering is inherently technical. It is designed to nurture skills in areas such as hardware, software, algorithms, and systems architecture. These technical foundations are crucial for any aspiring engineer to master. On the other hand, UX and UI design lean more towards human-computer interaction (HCI), psychology, and design principles. The skills required for these areas tend to be covered more in design or interdisciplinary programs rather than in the core curriculum of computer engineering.

Different Skill Sets

Technical vs. Creative Skills: UX and UI design require a range of skills, including visual design, user research, usability testing, and interaction design. These skills differ significantly from the analytical and technical skills that are emphasized in computer engineering. In many computer engineering programs, the curriculum heavily focuses on programming, circuit design, and systems analysis. While these technical skills are essential, the creative and qualitative aspects of UX and UI design are often less prioritized.

Curriculum Structure

Time and Course Limitations: Academic programs often have a limited amount of time and a fixed number of required courses. As a result, they focus primarily on foundational topics that align closely with the core competencies of the discipline. Given this, UX and UI design are often treated as specialized areas that may be offered as electives or in separate design programs. This structure limits the extent to which these design principles can be integrated into the core curriculum.

Emerging Field

Relative Newness: While UX and UI design have gained significant importance in the tech industry, they are still considered a relatively new field compared to traditional computer engineering topics. This emerging nature of the field means that many engineering programs have not yet integrated design principles into their core curriculum. For instance, undergraduate programs that have been in place for decades may still be aligned with older, more established technical areas of study.

Interdisciplinary Nature

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: UX and UI design often require collaboration with professionals from various fields, including graphic design, psychology, and marketing. Some institutions may choose to offer these design principles as part of interdisciplinary programs that combine elements from multiple disciplines rather than within a purely engineering context. This flexibility allows for more holistic approaches to learning, but it also means that these skills may not be as deeply ingrained in the traditional computer engineering path.

Industry Demand

Technical vs. Design Skills: While there is a growing demand for UX and UI skills in the tech industry, many computer engineers can work effectively in development roles without extensive knowledge of design principles. This demand for technical skills over design skills explains why many educational institutions still prioritize technical competencies in their core curricula.

However, as the importance of UX and UI design continues to grow, there is a trend towards integrating these topics more prominently into computer engineering programs. These might be through dedicated courses or integrated projects that combine technical knowledge with design principles. For instance, some universities now offer electives or small, integrated design projects within their standard computer engineering courses.

For a more comprehensive understanding of UX and UI design, students often pursue additional training or courses specifically focused on these areas. These might include short courses, bootcamps, or professional development programs outside of the core academic offerings.

Conclusion: While UX and UI design are essential components of modern tech products, they are often excluded from core computer engineering courses due to disciplinary focus, different skill sets, curriculum limitations, relative newness, and the interdisciplinary nature of these design principles. As technology and design continue to advance, the integration of these skills into the core curriculum is likely to become more prevalent.