Major Requirements

Credits Required: 

Credits in the major: 68

Students begin the major by working with a faculty advisor to create their Individual Learning Plan (ILP). That ILP outlines how they will achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) designated below by completing the listed courses or alternative assessment options. Students conclude the major by completing a Capstone, a year-long, client-driven project that demonstrates their cumulative learning in the Communication Design major. 

There are seven MLOs: communication, interaction design, design principles, programming, computing & networking, ethics and application & synthesis. Students in Communication Design program are required to fulfill each of the outcomes. 

Emphasis*

As part of the application & synthesis MLO, every student is required to choose an emphasis of study in the major and complete at least  20 units. Currently three emphases are offered: Interactive Media, Web Design and Visual Design. A student must meet with an advisor for their course selection for the emphasis. Each emphasis includes three required and two elective courses.

*An emphasis is an informal collection of coursework; emphasis titles do not appear on student transcripts.

 

Major Requirements and Learning Outcomes are identified below. In order to graduate, students must also meet all general education and university requirements. 

 

 

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)

MLO 2: Interaction Design

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

Required Courses

  • CST 201/L: Media Tools Lecture (3 to 6 units)
  • OR
  • CST 205: Multimedia Design & Progmng (4 units)

MLO 3: Design Principles

Student demonstrates the systematic application of aesthetic and design principles to solve a communication design problem.

 

Required Courses

  • CST 227: Intro Digital Graphic Design (4 units)

MLO 4: Programming

Student will use computer programming concepts and skills to solve communication design problems. 

 

Required Courses

  • CST 221: Scripting for Multimedia (4 units)
  • OR
  • CST 231/L: Problm-Solving/Programng (4 units)

MLO 5: Computing and Networking

Student demonstrates an understanding of the evolution of computer technology and its use in solving communication problems.

Required Courses

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

MLO 6: Ethics

Student will understand the ethical impact of current and future information technologies on society; specifically, economics, education, the environment, governance, industry, health and human communication.

Required Course

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

MLO 7: Application and Synthesis

 

Student demonstrates the integration of the MLOs. 

Required Courses

  • Complete the series of courses identified for your emphasis (see below).
  • CST 304: Publication Design (2 to 4 units)
  • AND
  • CST 404: Publication Workshop (4 units)
  • OR
  • CST 321: Multimedia I (4 units)
  • AND
  • CST 421: Multimedia II (4 units)
  • OR
  • CST 400: Senior Capstone Proj Planning (2 units)
  • CST 401: Capstone Lab (2 units)
  • CST 496: Directed Study (1 to 6 units)
  • CST 361S: Technology Tutors (5 units)
  • OR
  • CST 461S: CommDesign&CommunityService (2 units)
  • and three CD electives

Emphasis

An emphasis is an informal collection of coursework; emphasis titles do not appear on student transcripts.

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 (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