This course covers biometric usability testing with a focus on border control and mobile devices. The course objectives are to understand biometric systems, how people use them, testing methodologies, limitations, and research methods. Topics include genuine users, usability, attacks, border security, tokens, qualitative/quantitative research, and focus groups. Students will complete a research-based group project, assignments, and quizzes. The course uses lectures, discussions, guest speakers and students are expected to regularly attend and complete all work.

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IT 58100 Biometric Usability
Professor: Dr. Stephen Elliott Office Hours:
Young 312 By Appt – posted online in Blackboard, and Office
(765)-494-2311
elliott@purdue.edu
Course Questions: elliott@purdue.edu
Course Theme:
This summer, the course themes will cover border control and biometrics on mobile
devices.
Course Objectives:
The course has the following objectives.
1. Understand the operation of biometric systems.
2. Understand how people use biometric systems in operational settings (both
controlled and uncontrolled).
3. Understand traditional technology, scenario, and operational testing methodologies.
4. Understand traditional ergonomic and usability testing methodologies.
5. Understand and analyze the limitations of biometric systems.
6. Understand basics of quantitative and qualitative research.
7. Evaluate the issues in designing a biometric system, including but not limited to: the
impact of language and culture (instructions and symbols); ergonomics and
anthropometrics (heights-angles, positioning); training and habituation or accessibility;
affordance and perception.
8. Interpret results from reports on biometric technologies evaluation methods,
ergonomic and usability methods, and statistical methods.
9. Appraise and critically evaluate prior scenario and operational test reports and case
studies of biometric technologies to examine where the application of Human-Biometric
Sensor Interaction.
10. Transfer knowledge and understanding of usability, ergonomic, and usability
evaluation methodologies to the testing and evaluate biometric devices and systems.
11. Establish a test methodology and collect data using a Human-Biometric Sensor
Interaction based methodology (usability, ergonomic, human factors) to investigate a
current problem facing the industry.
12. Perform the appropriate data analysis and report findings in a report.
13. Students will produce final reports, conference papers based on the course project.
Course Schedule
Week 1 – Introduction to Usability
Week 2 – HBSI (refresher – GBM)

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Week 3 – The role of the genuine user
Week 4 – Usability and Signature (Richards model)
Week 5 - HBSI and attack / HBSI false claim model
Week 6 – HBSI border security – NZ Smart Gates
Week 7 – HBSI and token models
Week 8 – Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Week 9 – Focus groups
Week 10 – Focus groups
Week 11 – Border analysis
Week 12 – Border analysis
Weekly effort:
In order to estimate the time allotted to the class, you need to submit your timesheets
each week. The course will have short lectures, online discussion and brainstorming, and
project analysis. At times, you may be working with the team in the center. To allocate
time, you need to use Pattern. The link will be available in Blackboard.
Typically, there will be 3 small lectures, brainstorming reviews, an article review, and
some guest lectures.
Standard Course Features
 Course Lectures
Pre-recorded video lectures available for each lesson
 Lecture Slides
Used in conjunction with lecture videos
 Lecture Transcripts
Used to follow along with lecture videos
 Modular Quizzes
Used to quiz student knowledge of course material after each lecture
 Assignments
Submission of written material and analysis of biometric data
Additional Features
 Interactive Elements
Used for further practice of lecture subjects
 Activities and Resources
Used to support understanding of lesson topics
Grading System
This course is scaffolded on previous courses, and so if you have a Passport badge you
may apply it to the course modules, and complete the quiz (100% pass required).
Assignments and quizzes are worth 20% and the final project is worth 80% of the final
grade. Students who complete the course will earn digital badges as part of the
Passport Initiative.

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Digital badges are certifiable icons that represent academic achievements or skills
smaller than a college degree.
Project
In this class, there is a project. It can be individual, but it is preferable to have a group.
You should spend 30 hours on this project. You may “blitz” the project by coming in for
longer period of times. Your project should be research-based, and will be evaluated by
our team and well as your class colleagues.
Course Software
All of the software is provided to you in the Center.
We also use Lync / Skype as a communication tool, and OneNote as lab management
tools. The lectures are available online, and are linked in this syllabus. The files are able
to be downloaded. The quizzes are within the lectures, and in Blackboard.
Student Expectations:
To be successful in this course, the student will: ATTEND (ONLINE) CLASS
REGULARLY, and:
 Attendance:
 Purdue University policy states that all students are expected to be present
for every meeting of classes in which they are enrolled. All matters relative to
attendance, including the make-up of missed work, are to be arranged
between you and the instructor. Only the instructor can excuse you from
classes or course responsibilities. In the case of illness, accident, or an
emergency, you should make direct contact with your instructor as soon as
possible, preferably before the class. If the instructor cannot be reached
directly a message should be left in the instructor’s department mailbox or
with the instructor’s secretary. If you will be absent for more than five days,
have not been able to reach the instructor in person or by telephone or
through leaving notification of your circumstances with the instructor’s
secretary, you or your representative should notify the Office of the Dean of
Students (765-494-1254) as soon as possible after becoming aware that the
absence is necessary. Be advised, you may be asked to provide
documentation from an authorized professional or agency which supports an
explanation for your absence.
 Complete all assigned readings and work as outlined on the schedule.
 Become familiar with Blackboard and employ the course site regularly.
 Take notes on the course content (both readings and lectures). You are responsible
for all assigned materials and content covered in class (the latter even if it is not
covered by the text).
 Actively participate in all class and Blackboard activities. This will be judged by your
professor.
 Students are expected to be familiar with and subscribe to the Purdue Student
Honor Code:
http://www.purdue.edu/univregs/pages/stu_conduct/code_of_honor.html

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 Students are to also to be familiar with the principles of academic integrity as
prepared by Purdue University’s Dean of Students office:
http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/integrity.htm
 Academic dishonesty will lead to dismissal from class and failure in the course.

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Notices
Academic Honesty
Academic honesty requires that students do not cheat, or knowingly assist another to do
so. Other unacceptable behavior includes plagiarism, which is the submitting of
someone else's work as your own, and the unauthorized access to or changing of
grades or examinations. Faculty consider the submitting/performing of essentially the
same single piece of work for credit in different classes to be dishonest unless all faculty
members involved have agreed, in advance, to the specific situation.
Accommodations Statement
If you have a disability and need accommodations (for example, extended testing time,
note takers, large print materials), please inform your instructor privately as soon as
possible. Students with disabilities seeking academic accommodations should also
register with Purdue University’s Office for Students with Disabilities, SCHL 207, 494-
1247. The institution will review documentation about your disability and about the need
for accommodations you are requesting and will assist in planning and providing for any
necessary accommodations.
Campus Emergencies
In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and
grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised
semester calendar or other circumstances. Here are ways to get information about
changes in this course. Blackboard Vista web page, my email address:
elliott@purdue.edu, and my office phone: 494-1088. An email listserv has also been set
up.
Emergency Links
For procedures regarding specific campus emergencies
http://www.purdue.edu/police/assistance/emergencies/index.htm
University News Service information releases on Avian Influenza
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/
REM Emergency Procedures Information
http://www.purdue.edu/physicalfacilities/emergencycontacts.php
Safety Committees
http://www.purdue.edu/rem/
Purdue Agricultural Extension Service Disaster Recovery Resources for Indiana
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/

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Changes
The instructor reserves the right to alter the format of this class by giving verbal or
written notice during any class period. This policy includes tests and test schedules.