Information Technology and Communication Design B.S.~ Program Requirements


Information Technology and Communication Design B.S.~ Program Requirements

Semester Credits Required

Credits in the major: 68

Outcomes, Courses and Assessment

You officially begin the major by enrolling in CST 300 Major ProSeminar where you are 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 publicly presented project that displays 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.

Core MLOs

Professional Communication and Development

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

Pathway: CST 300 Major ProSeminar Lecture and CST 300L Major Proseminar Lab

Mathematics

2. Student will demonstrate mathematical concepts that are required for problem solving in the technology and design disciplines.

Pathway: MATH 116 Finite Mathematics II or MATH 170 Discrete Mathematics or equivalent

Interaction Design

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

Pathway: CST 201/L Media Tools Lecture and Lab

Programming

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

Pathways: CST 221 Scripting for Multimedia or CST 231 Problem Solving & Programming with C++ or CST 232 Problem Solving and Programming with Visual Basic, or equivalent, chosen in consultation with advisor

Computing and Networking

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

Pathway: CST 236 Computing for Digital Arts or CST 337 Introduction to Computer Architecture

Digital Design

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

Pathways: CST 328 Digital Art & Design or CST 351 Web Design

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.

Emphases include:

Visual Design
  • CST 304 Publication Design (required)
  • CST 404 Publication Workshop (required)
  • CST 351 Web Design (required)

Select eight units from the list of Visual Design electives
Visual Design Electives:

Interactive Media & Game Design
  • CST 341 Intro to Instructional Design (required)
  • CST 321 Multimedia Game Design I (required)
  • CST 421 Multimedia Game Design II (required)

Select eight units from the list of Interactive Media & Game Design electives
Interactive Media & Game Design Electives:

  • CST 304 Publication Design, 
  • CST 305 3D Modeling/Animation,
  • CST 328 Digital Art & Design, 
  • CST 331 Computer Graphic, 
  • CST 336 Internet Programming,
  • CST 338 Software Design,
  • CST 351 Web Design, 
  • CST 352 Web Script.,
  • CST 363 Intro Database, 
  • CST 405 Animation Workshop, 
  • CST 441 Adv Instr Design, 
  • CST 451 Web Production
  • Or advisor approval
Web Design & Development
  • CST 351 Web Design (required)
  • CST 352 Web Scripting (required)
  • CST 451 Web Production (required)

Select eight units from the list of Web Design & Development electives
Web Design & Development Electives:

  • CST 321 Multimedia Game Design I, 
  • CST 428 Digital Art Workshop,
  • CST 336 Internet Programming,
  • CST 341 Intro to Instructional Design, 
  • CST 363 Intro to Database Mgmt Sys,
  • CST 421 Multimedia Game Design II, 
  • CST 436 User Interface Design and Dvlpmt,
  • CST 441 Adv. Instructional Design, 
  • CST 551 Web Databases, Portals & Services,
  • Or advisor approval
Digital Animation
  • CST 305 3D Modeling and Animation (required)
  • CST 405 Animation Workshop (required)
  • CST 428 Digital Art Workshop (required)

Select eight units from the list of Digital Animation electives
Digital Animation Electives:

  • CST 321 Multimedia Game Design I, 
  • CST 421 Multimedia Game Design II, 
  • TAT 337 Video Production,
  • VPA 310 Mixed Media Drawing,
  • Or advisor approval

Breadth MLO

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

Culmination MLOs

Ethics

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

Pathway: CST 373 Ethics in Communication & Technology

Service Learning

2. 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.

Pathway: CST 361S Tech Tutors

Capstone

3. 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 ITCD 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 ITCD degree.

Pathway: CST 400 Senior Capstone Project Planning plus CST 496 Directed Research and Development and CST 401 Capstone Lab plus CST 496 Directed Research and Development