Theses

Writing your Thesis with us

We supervise B.Sc. and M.Sc. theses in Human-Computer Interaction, for example on gamification, games, user experience, accessibility, health, persuasive technology, and human-centered AI / intelligent user interfaces. A thesis with us is a small research project: you work on a relevant research question, build or study an interactive system, and evaluate it empirically. Excellent theses can lead to a scientific publication.

All theses are supervised by Prof. Dr. Maximilian Altmeyer. In addition, an advisor from our group is assigned to each thesis and supports you in your day-to-day work. Supervision capacity is limited, which is why we ask you to apply for a topic. Please read the information below carefully before applying.

Prerequisites

  • No strict formal requirements
  • Background in at least one area relevant to the topic, e.g. software / web / game development, UX or user research, or statistics and study design
  • We recommend having attended at least one of our courses

Types of Theses

  • System-oriented: build an interactive system with a focus on engineering, complemented by a small empirical contribution (e.g., a usability test)
  • Study-oriented: build or adapt an interactive system to investigate an empirical research question, and evaluate it with users in lab, online or field studies

During the Thesis

  • Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Maximilian Altmeyer; in addition, an advisor is assigned to you
  • Regular meetings with your advisor and supervisor (about every two weeks)
  • You work independently and report your progress proactively
  • The thesis is written in English (preferred) or German
  • The thesis concludes with a final presentation

How to Apply

  1. Choose a topic

    Pick one of the open topics below. You can also propose your own idea, as long as it fits our research areas.

  2. Send your application

    Send an email to Prof. Dr. Maximilian Altmeyer, stating the topic you are applying for, with the following documents (as PDF):

    • CV
    • Motivation letter (max. one page): Why this topic, and why you?
    • Track record: current transcript of records and relevant projects or work (e.g., GitHub, portfolio, apps or games you built)
    • Your degree program (B.Sc. / M.Sc.) and intended start date

    Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  3. Personal interview

    If your application is a good fit, we will invite you to a personal interview. There, you explain how your skills and experience match the topic you applied for and how you would approach it.

  4. Decision & start

    After the interview, we decide on supervision and assign your advisor. Together with your advisor and supervisor, you then refine the research question and plan the thesis before officially registering it.

Open Thesis Topics

The following topics are currently available. Click on a topic to see the details.

B.Sc. AudioKart: Gamified Car-Driving Through SFX

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Maximilian Altmeyer · Advisor: to be assigned

Driving behavior affects both environmental sustainability and road safety. This thesis investigates whether and how gamified sound effects (such as a coin-collection for keeping in central lane) can encourage safe and sustainable driving without requiring additional visual attention.

Possible focus

Design and implement an application that provides gamified auditory feedback in a driving simulator, and evaluate its effects on driving behavior and user experience in a user study.

Prerequisites
  • Solid programming skills
  • Interest in gamification, driving behavior, and user motivation
  • Willingness to work with a driving simulator and the BeamNG.tech platform

Have your own idea? Feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Maximilian Altmeyer with a short proposal along with the complete application documents listed above.