BS.ACSMA - Applied Computer Science - Media Arts, B.S.

Introduction

The Applied Computer Science–Media Arts program helps students become designers, thinkers, and leaders of the digital age. It is a hybrid art-and-technology degree that offers opportunities for students to focus on emerging digital practices by working with virtual and immersive environments, experiential design, and human-computer interaction. The program uses computer science as a tool to innovate within the fields of design, entertainment, and digital arts. This STEM degree enables students to develop into creators and innovators, preparing them for some of the most exciting and cutting-edge careers of today, and tomorrow.

Mission

Good design is innovative and experimental. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science – Media Arts trains innovative professionals who affirm the power of creative technologies to face the demands of the 21stcentury marketplace.

The graduates of the program develop software, hardware, and interactive media to generate human-centered design solutions by engaging in iterative prototyping, transdisciplinary collaboration, and project-based research.

Additional Learning Opportunities

The Applied Computer Science–Media Arts program shares the first two-years of curriculum with the Design Computation program. This shared curriculum creates opportunities for collaboration and shared learning between these technology-based programs.

Technology and Computer Requirements

We highly encourage students to purchase a laptop computer. This will be an important part of every project that students work on. While computer labs offer a good supplement, having access to a personal machine will greatly aid in the production to work over the course of the four-year program. We recommend the following specifications for a laptop computer:

Assessment Process

Formative Assessment Experiences

In conjunction with the Design Computation program, second-year students enroll in a portfolio class to assess the learning outcomes of the first two years of the program.

Summative Assessment Experiences

Thesis 1 and Thesis 2 form a two-semester capstone experience in which students design and execute an artand-technology project. The project should encapsulate the key learning outcomes of the program.

Program Specific Academic Standards

For Applied Computer Science majors, a minimum grade of “C” is required in all studio courses. Students receiving a grade below a “C” must successfully repeat that course prior to enrollment in the succeeding course.