Curriculum
Based upon changes in computing technology, industry practices, and employer expectations, the Departments of Mass Communications, Art, Mathematics and Computer Science, and History and Social Sciences, and the School of Business have joined together to create an interdisciplinary minor in Applied Computing. The business and media industries have undergone a revolutionary change in the past decade. With the convergence of old and new technology, more employers are demanding that applicants have a working knowledge of a variety of mediums as well as possess a wide-range of skills. Some of the career skills in demand include data analysis, data mining, web design, graphic design, and interactive media. Digital workers are finding jobs in most fields through applied computer knowledge and content production and design.
The Department of Art prepares students in both technical and artistic areas. Studies in color theory, typography, composition, placement and visual narrative and design apply directly to a wide range of industries, including digital photography, graphic designs, animation, and motion graphics.
The School of Business prepares students for successful careers in business professions. More job opportunities for individuals educated in the managerial techniques of business operations and administration will be available in our expanding global economy. The demand for salaried managers and administrators will continue to grow in the 21st century as firms increasingly depend on trained professionals.
The Department of Mass Communications offers an intensive program in building skills for creative content design planning, directing, producing, and marketing. As a professional training program strongly grounded in the liberal arts tradition, the Department of Mass Communications prepares students for various media careers in both traditional and non-traditional, web-based media, as well as other businesses and industries, needing creative media planning and communications.
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science provides instruction, educational experiences, and advisement for students majoring in programs offered by the Department so that all graduates will have a knowledge and understanding of mathematics, technology and their applications that prepare them to provide leadership and service in a multicultural, global and technological society.
The Department of History & Sociology prepares students to become informed, contributing citizens in a world of diverse cultures and opportunities. Courses and programs of study inquire into the human condition and are designed to foster the analytical and theoretical skills necessary to critically evaluate diverse social relations and their contexts.
Educational Objectives – Upon completion of the Applied Computing Minor, students will
- Demonstrate the ability to apply skills, techniques, and technologies appropriate for the planning, production, promotion, and presentation of projects across multiple platforms.
- Apply basic computing principles, theories, and analytical methodologies appropriate to the specific industries.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct research, gather relevant data, and write data analyses, and reports at a professional level.
- Understand the ethical concepts, legal implications, considerations, and practices that guide professional decision-making processes.
The Applied Computing Minor is an 18 hour program with two Computer Science Core Courses (6 hours), CSCI 101 and CSCI 102, required by all Applied Computing Minors, along with the choice of one area of concentration from the Arts Tract, Media Track, Web Design Track, or Social Science Track for the remaining 4 courses (12 hours).
CORE COURSES – Computer Science (6 Hours)
CSCI 101 Introduction to Computer Technology
History, application, and social impact of computers; problem-solving, algorithm development, applications software, and programming in a procedural language. App Inventor or any other visual programming environments may be used to introduce programming concepts. Three semester credit hours.
CSCI 102 Introduction to Web Programming Introduction to web technology, Systematic computer problem-solving and programming for a variety of applications. Topics include variables, branching, looping and functions. Three semester credit hours.
ARTS TRACK (12 Hours)
ARTS 111 Intro to Photoshop. This course introduces Adobe Photoshop as a tool for manipulating images electronically to create digital art and to present practical applications for design/web design, communications media and digital photography. Students will also be encouraged to develop their photographic skills through assignments including art, portrait and photojournalism. Online instruction will employ the use of Moodle/Blackboard, Skype and Web-ex technologies and mutual screen sharing for real-time instructor/student interaction. Students will be given the media skillset that reflect industry standard innovative problem solving. Three semester credit hours.
ARTS 209 Digital Photography- This course is designed to introduce history and basic principles of photography, the development of camera and process related to images. Emphasis is placed upon conception, composition and presentation of digital photography by using Photoshop Studio. Three semester credit hours.
ARTS 367 Digital Media Arts – Inter-Disciplinary Applications (New Course)
Cross-disciplinary study of digital media arts techniques and digital applications leading to the design and implementation of Interactive media projects including website design (front-end). The course will study and implement intuitive user interface (UI) and innovative layout and design. Included in the course is typography in design, motion graphics, and proven principles of design. Three semester hours.
ARTS 377 Digital Media Arts – Interactive Design (New Course)
Specialized media and production studies of innovative media techniques utilized in the creation of media projects including design, 2d and 3d animation, gaming and pre-production, production and post-production projects for gaming, digital film (still and motion) and media for the Internet. Individual and team- oriented assignments will explore a range of methodology combined with emerging digital processes to produce innovative completed projects using digital media. Three semester hours.
BUSINESS TRACK (12 Hours)
MGMT 201 Principles of Management Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing. This course represents a study of basic management in business enterprises. Topics include planning, organizing, motivation, communication, leadership, ethics, functional areas and organizational structure. Three semester credit hours.
MRKT 201 Principles of Marketing Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing. This course serves as an introduction to various factors and activities in marketing, channels of distribution, pricing, promotion, product management and environmental factors involved in the flow of goods and services from production to consumption. Three semester credit hours
MGMT 407 Management Information Systems Prerequisites: MGMT 201 and Senior Standing. This course addresses the management and use of information systems in organizations and their relationship to organizational objectives and structure. Topics include hardware, software, functional information systems, decision support systems, expert systems, telecommunications and systems design. Three semester credit hours.
MRKT 301 Marketing Innovation and Technology Prerequisites: MRKT 201 and Junior Standing. This course is designed to introduce students to the new era of digital marketing. Students will be familiarized with e-commerce terminology, electronic tools, techniques of database marketing, data mining, and data warehousing. Marketing innovation covers how the industry is evolving in the face of new technology and ways of communicating. Marketing approaches have been significantly altered with the advent of the Internet. This course provides a view of marketing for the twenty-first century. Special emphasis is provided on the impact of new Internet marketing techniques, research using data mining and metrics, search engine optimization, reaching consumer markets through the new business models associated with social communities, blogs, and other Web 2.0 structures. Three semester credit hours.
MEDIA TRACK (12 Hours)
MCOM 205 Basic Web Design
The course introduces students to the theories and basic skills of website design and navigation. Topics will include the essential tools website development such as color and layout theory, copy, photographs, graphics, and other digital media content as well as HTML, Adobe Dreamweaver software and Cascading Style Sheets. Three semester credit hours.
MCOM 220 Social Media Applications
This course introduces students to the theories, strategies and creation of new digital online and mobile formats such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Students will look at the use of such media as a means of shaping public opinion and influencing behavior changes. The course includes how individuals, government and institutions prepare persuasive messages and communicate through social media. Three semester credit hours.
MCOM 305 Advanced Web Design
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop more advanced web design skills as well as learn basic Adobe Creative Suites, Graphic Design, Flash Design, Digital Photography, Blogs, Podcasts, and more. Students will learn to define communication problems and determine website user needs and wants while applying the principles of website design and user research. Three semester credit hours.
MCOM 325 Corporate Video
This course provides students with the skills to research, write and produce video for corporate communications such as video press releases, training and orientation videos, and sales support materials. Students will perform client research and develop creative treatments to meet corporate goals and the needs of a target audience. Students will learn the basics of Avid Editing, Adobe Premier, and Audition software. Three semester credit hours.
WEB DESIGN TRACK (12 Hours)
MCOM 205 Basic Web Design - The course introduces students to the theories and basic skills of website design and navigation. Topics will include the essential tools website development such as color and layout theory, copy, photographs, graphics, and other digital media content as well as HTML, Adobe Dreamweaver software and Cascading Style Sheets. Three semester credit hours.
MCOM 305 Advanced Web Design – This course provides students with the opportunity to develop more advanced web design skills as well as learn basic Adobe Creative Suites, Graphic Design, Flash Design, Digital Photography, Blogs, Podcasts, and more. Students will learn to define communication problems and determine website user needs and wants while applying the principles of website design and user research. Three semester credit hours.
ARTS 367 Digital Media Arts Inter-Disciplinary Applications
Cross-disciplinary study of digital media arts techniques and digital applications leading to the design and implementation of Interactive media projects including website design (front-end). The course will study and implement intuitive user interface (UI) and innovative layout and design. Included in the course is typography in design, motion graphics, and proven principles of design. Three semester hours.
ARTS 377 Digital Media Arts Interactive Design
Specialized media and production studies of innovative media techniques utilized in the creation of media projects including design, 2d and 3d animation, gaming and pre-production, production and post-production projects for gaming, digital film (still and motion) and media for the Internet. Individual and team- oriented assignments will explore a range of methodology combined with emerging digital processes to produce innovative completed projects using digital media. Three semester hours.
Social Science Track (12 hours)
GEOG 360 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Prerequisite: GEOG 201. Geographic Information Systems represents a major advancement in computer handling of geographical data. The goal of this course is to expose students to introductory principles, core concepts and structure of GIS. The students will also be provided with hands-on learning opportunities through the use of the ESRI ArcView package and basic GIS applications during a weekly lab session. Three semester hours.
HSSC 351 Computational Social Science
As the internet continues to become an ingrained part of everyday life it provides opportunities for social science research. Computer technology and the internet afford a variety of techniques to collect, manage and analyze this vast array of information. The aim of this course is to give an introduction and practice of the different techniques in social science research using social media, on-line questionnaires construction, implementation, and Excel analysis.
HSSC 352 Social Network Analysis
Using both quantitative and qualitative methods this course will deal with the role of social networks in information dissemination. It will teach techniques of identifying influential persons, and studying how information travels via various networks.
MCOM 220 Social Media Applications
This course introduces students to the theories, strategies and creation of new digital online and mobile formats such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Students will look at the use of such media as a means of shaping public opinion and influencing behavior changes. The course includes how individuals, government and institutions prepare persuasive messages and communicate through social media. Three semester credit hours.