Credits Required: 

Credits in the major: 68

After declaring the Communication Design major, you will be assigned to a faculty advisor who will work with you to create or revise your Individual Learning Plan (ILP). That ILP maps out how you will achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) designated below by successfully completing the listed courses or alternative assessment options. You conclude the major by completing your Capstone, a year-long, client-driven project that demostrates your cumulative learning in the major.

The MLOs consist of four sections: Core, Emphasis, Breadth and Culmination. You first satisfy the Core MLOs to build a foundation in technology and design. You then choose one Emphasis of five courses to develop depth in a specialized area. You take at least one elective course not in your emphasis to fulfill the Breadth MLO. You finish by completing the Culmination MLOs, which bring together and polish all that you have learned.

Emphasis MLOs

Student is required to choose an emphasis of study in the major and take a minimum of 20 units. Students choose courses after consulting with advisor. See catalog for course descriptions. Each emphasis includes three required courses and eight elective units. Emphasis course lists are below.

Breadth MLOs

Student will satisfy the requirements for elective studies by passing their chosen elective CST courses and satisfying the learning outcomes for each course. A total of four units is required.

Core MLO 1: Professional Communication and Development

Student will effectively communicate in an academic and professional setting via written documentation and oral presentation.

Required Courses

  • CST 300: Major ProSeminar Lecture (2 units)
  • CST 300L: Major Proseminar Writing Lab (2 units)

Core MLO 2: Interaction Design

Student will apply user-centered design methodology to create an interactive media project emphasizing an event-driven design philosophy.

Required Course

  • CST 201/L: Media Tools Lecture (3 to 6 units)

Core MLO 3: Programming

Student will create computer programs to solve problems using a computer programming language.

Required Courses

  • Complete one of the following
  • CST 221: Scripting for Multimedia (4 units)
  • CST 231/L: Problm-Solving/Programng (4 units)
  • CST 232: Visual Basic Programming (1 to 4 units)
  • or equivalent, chosen in consultation with advisor

Core MLO 4: Computing and Networking

Student will understand how computer technology, including software and hardware, works for the purpose of solving modern communication problems.

Required Courses

  • CST 337: Computer Architecture (4 units)
  • OR
  • CST 236: Computing for Digital Artists (4 units)

Core MLO 5: Digital Design

Student demonstrates the systematic application of design principles and technical skills required for design in industry.

Required Courses

  • CST 328: Digital Art and Design (4 units)
  • OR
  • CST 351: Web Design (4 units)

Culmination MLO 1: Ethics

Through an ethical perspective, student examines the impact of current and future information technologies on economics and culture in society.

Required Course

  • CST 373: Ethics in Comm & Tech (4 units)

Culmination MLO 2: Service Learning

Student applies knowledge and skills acquired in the major to identify the needs of a CSUMB approved community partner, bridge the Digital Divide, and collaborate in the identification and implementation of a solution.

Required Course

Culmination MLO 3: Capstone

Student plans, creates and executes a detailed Capstone project which typically take two semesters to complete. During the first semester, students choose a project and a faculty capstone advisor and complete a detailed plan for the creation of their project. In the second semester the capstone project is produced. The capstone festival is where students present their finished projects to the faculty, CSUMB students and the greater community. Capstones for the Communication Design major cover a wide spectrum of design and technical projects: including complex web sites, programming projects, animation, identity designs and planning and implementing technical events. The projects are based on the course work taken in the major as well as the student's individual strengths and passions. All projects represent a combination of technology and design. This fusion is the hallmark of the Communication Design degree.

Required Courses

  • CST 400: Senior Capstone Proj Planning (2 units)
  • CST 496: Directed Study (1 to 6 units)
  • CST 401: Capstone Lab (2 units)
  • CST 496: Directed Study (1 to 6 units)
  • Note: CST 496 taken concurrently with both CST 400 and CST 401 for 2 credits each.

Emphasis

Interactive Design

Required Courses

  • CST 321: Multimedia I (4 units)
  • CST 421: Multimedia II (4 units)
  • Select eight units from the list of Interactive Media & Game Design electives
  • Interactive Design Electives:
  • CST 304: Publication Design (2 to 4 units)
  • CST 328: Digital Art and Design (4 units)
  • CST 331: Computer Graphics (4 units)
  • CST 336: Internet Programming (4 units)
  • CST 338: Software Design (4 units)
  • CST 351: Web Design (4 units)
  • CST 352: Web Scripting (4 units)
  • CST 363: Database Mgt:Methods/Appl (4 units)
  • CST 436: Human-Computer Interaction (4 units)
  • CST 451: Web Production (4 units)
  • Or advisor approval

Visual Design

Required Courses

  • CST 304: Publication Design (2 to 4 units)
  • CST 404: Publication Workshop (4 units)
  • CST 351: Web Design (4 units)
  • Select eight units from the list of Visual Design electives
  • Visual Design Electives:
  • CST 341: Intro Instructional Design (4 units)
  • CST 428: Digital Art Workshop (4 units)
  • HCOM 389: Otter Realm Workshop (4 units)
  • TAT 315: Visual Design (4 units)
  • VPA 307: Diverse Hist Contemp Art (4 units)
  • VPA 310: Mixed Media Drawing (4 units)
  • VPA 316: Photography as Art (2 units)
  • Or advisor approval.

Web Design

Required Courses

  • CST 351: Web Design (4 units)
  • CST 352: Web Scripting (4 units)
  • CST 451: Web Production (4 units)
  • Select eight units from the list of Web Design & Development electives
  • Web Design & Development Electives:
  • CST 321: Multimedia I (4 units)
  • CST 428: Digital Art Workshop (4 units)
  • CST 336: Internet Programming (4 units)
  • CST 341: Intro Instructional Design (4 units)
  • CST 363: Database Mgt:Methods/Appl (4 units)
  • CST 421: Multimedia II (4 units)
  • CST 436: Human-Computer Interaction (4 units)
  • CST 441: Advanced Instructional Design (4 units)
  • CST 551: Web Databases & Services (4 units)
  • Or advisor approval