Interactive Digital Media
About the Major
Bachelor of Science Degree: 185.0 quarter credits
The major in interactive digital media prepares students for positions in a field that requires an understanding of both the aesthetics of development for online platforms and the server-side technologies that drive the content.
The field of web development has expanded beyond a simple online presence to fully interactive, dynamic content. Students in this major have opportunities to hone their technological skills while still developing their creativity as designers. This methodology coincides with the direction of the industry, where web developers are often in charge of both the technical and design aspects associated with online content.
The internet's explosive rise as the dominant communications medium has been accompanied by an ever-increasing level of sophistication in the content and applications used by individuals and businesses. Within their coursework, students develop applications and games for mobile platforms, explore content management systems and harness server technologies that drive aesthetic content. Students take core courses in all aspects of digital media, complete a six month co-op and delve into rigorous coursework in many areas of specialization.
Additional Information
To find out more about this major, visit the Westphal College’s Interactive Digital Media Major page.
Degree Requirements
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Arts and humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| History (HIST) elective | 3.0 | |
| Literature (ENGL) elective | 3.0 | |
| Social science electives | 9.0 | |
| Free electives | 23.0 | |
| Art and Art History Requirements | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| VSST 108 | Design I for Media | 3.0 |
| VSST 109 | Design II for Media | 3.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Media and Information Science Requirements | ||
| DIGM 220 | Digital Still Imaging I | 3.0 |
| INFO 151 | Web Systems and Services I | 3.0 |
| INFO 152 | Web Systems and Services II | 3.0 |
| FMVD 110 | Basic Shooting and Lighting | 3.0 |
| FMVD 206 | Audio Production and Post | 3.0 |
| VSCM 240 | Typography I | 3.0 |
| VSCM 247 | On Screen Typography | 3.0 |
| WMGD 220 | Web Graphics I | 4.0 |
| Digital Media Core Requirements | ||
| ANIM 141 | Computer Graphic Imagery | 3.0 |
| ANIM 211 | Animation I | 3.0 |
| DIGM 100 | Digital Design Tools | 3.0 |
| DIGM 105 | Overview of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 110 | Digital Spatial Visualization | 3.0 |
| DIGM 223 | Creative Concept Design | 3.0 |
| DIGM 250 | Professional Practices | 3.0 |
| DIGM 252 | Multimedia Timeline Design | 3.0 |
| DIGM 350 [WI] | Digital Storytelling | 3.0 |
| DIGM 451 [WI] | Explorations in New Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 475 [WI] | Seminar: The Future of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 492 | Senior Project in Digital Media I | 3.0 |
| DIGM 493 | Senior Project in Digital Media II | 3.0 |
| DIGM 494 | Digital Media Senior Project III | 3.0 |
| GMAP 260 | Overview of Computer Gaming | 3.0 |
| WBDV 240 | Web Authoring I | 3.0 |
| WBDV 241 | Vector Authoring I | 3.0 |
| Web Development Requirements | ||
| WBDV 216 | History of Web Development | 3.0 |
| WBDV 242 | Vector Authoring II | 3.0 |
| WBDV 243 | Web Authoring II | 3.0 |
| WBDV 265 | Scripting for Game Development | 3.0 |
| WBDV 370 | Mobile Interactive Design | 3.0 |
| WBDV 448 | Web Development: Workshop I | 3.0 |
| Select two of the following: | 6.0 | |
| Rich Internet Applications | ||
| Advanced Hybrid Interactivity | ||
| Vector Authoring III | ||
| Web Development: Workshop II | ||
| Web Information Database Applications | ||
| Total Credits | 182.0 | |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
Sample Plan of Study
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DIGM 100 | Digital Design Tools | 3.0 |
| DIGM 105 | Overview of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| DIGM 110 | Digital Spatial Visualization | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FMVD 110 | Basic Shooting and Lighting | 3.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 108 | Design I for Media | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ANIM 141 | Computer Graphic Imagery | 3.0 |
| DIGM 252 | Multimedia Timeline Design | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| VSST 109 | Design II for Media | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ANIM 211 | Animation I | 3.0 |
| DIGM 223 | Creative Concept Design | 3.0 |
| GMAP 260 | Overview of Computer Gaming | 3.0 |
| INFO 151 | Web Systems and Services I | 3.0 |
| WBDV 240 | Web Authoring I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| INFO 152 | Web Systems and Services II | 3.0 |
| VSCM 240 | Typography I | 3.0 |
| WBDV 216 | History of Web Development | 3.0 |
| WBDV 241 | Vector Authoring I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| DIGM 220 | Digital Still Imaging I | 3.0 |
| FMVD 206 | Audio Production and Post | 3.0 |
| VSCM 247 | On Screen Typography | 3.0 |
| WBDV 242 | Vector Authoring II | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| DIGM 250 | Professional Practices | 3.0 |
| WBDV 243 | Web Authoring II | 3.0 |
| WBDV 265 | Scripting for Game Development | 3.0 |
| WMGD 220 | Web Graphics I | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| DIGM 451 [WI] | Explorations in New Media | 3.0 |
| WBDV 448 | Web Development: Workshop I | 3.0 |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| DIGM 350 [WI] | Digital Storytelling | 3.0 |
| WBDV 370 | Mobile Interactive Design | 3.0 |
| Social science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Web development elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| DIGM 492 | Senior Project in Digital Media I | 3.0 |
| Social science elective | 3.0 | |
| Web development elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| DIGM 493 | Senior Project in Digital Media II | 3.0 |
| Social science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| DIGM 494 | Digital Media Senior Project III | 3.0 |
| DIGM 475 [WI] | Seminar: The Future of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 5.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Total Credit: 185.0 | ||
Courses
WBDV 216 History of Web Development 3.0 Credits
This course explores all aspects of web development including the foundations of web technologies, formulation of web standards and how the individual web surfer's wants and needs have changed over time. Also discussed will be ground-breaking websites and the evolution of interface design for the web.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
WBDV 240 Web Authoring I 3.0 Credits
This course explores prinicples and techniques for creating effective interactive media-reich websites. It includes aesthetics of human-computer interaction; bandwidth; project planning, budgeting and management; prototyping; testing and revision management.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DIGM 100 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 241 Vector Authoring I 3.0 Credits
Focuses attention on learning multimedia-authoring tools to create self-contained delivery programs, includes consideration and discussion of social impacts on digital technology.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: WBDV 240 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 240 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 242 Vector Authoring II 3.0 Credits
Students work with concepts and software for better intergration of Internet multimedia-authoring programs with assorted browsers and server side databases.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: WBDV 241 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 241 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 243 Web Authoring II 3.0 Credits
This course covers the basic principles of PHP. Students set up a content management system and develop a custom theme. Also includes instruction in XHTML/CSS techniques, project planning, organizing and maintaining effective styleshets and recognizing common browser bugs.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: WBDV 242 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 242 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 265 Scripting for Game Development 3.0 Credits
Examines multimedia authoring tools used to create self-contained interactive games. Students address real world production as they master advanced game design concepts.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: (WBDV 242 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 242 [Min Grade: D]) and INFO 151 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 332 Rich Internet Applications 3.0 Credits
This course explores web development techniques used within the local web browser to create applications capable of retrieving data from an online server asynchronously in the background without interfering with the display and or behavior of the existing page.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman or Sophomore
Prerequisites: INFO 152 [Min Grade: D] and (WBDV 243 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 243 [Min Grade: D])
WBDV 370 Mobile Interactive Design 3.0 Credits
Focuses on creating user experience optimized for mobile devices. Students learn to build unique applications that take advantage of gestures and accelerometers. Special consideration is given to limited screen real estate, low bandwidth internet access, no internet access, and touch screen devices.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: (WBDV 265 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 265 [Min Grade: D]) and (CS 131 [Min Grade: D] or CS 172 [Min Grade: D])
WBDV 399 Independent Project in Web Development 0.5-12.0 Credits
Supervised planning and execution of a project in the area of Web Development.
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
WBDV 445 Advanced Hybrid Interactivity 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on the integration of PC potential to access high bandwidth objects including video, audio, 3D animations and other dynamic content from the Internet.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: WBDV 242 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 242 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 447 Vector Authoring III 3.0 Credits
this class teaches advanced Flash authoring concepts and explores online applications for entertainment, streaming video, simulations and e-commerce. Projects will use role-playing, group, and individual instruction in the concepts, tools and social concepts for the creation of vector based media.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: WBDV 243 [Min Grade: D] or (DIGM 243 [Min Grade: D] and CS 131 [Min Grade: D])
WBDV 448 Web Development: Workshop I 3.0 Credits
This course explores the management process of developing or redesigning a successful website. Students work in team environments to analyze websites; define steps to develop well designed sites; and focus on audience, usability, testing and content development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: WBDV 243 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 243 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 449 Web Development: Workshop II 3.0 Credits
College/Department: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: WBDV 448 [Min Grade: D]
WBDV 452 Web Information Database Applications 3.0 Credits
Database and the server technology that accesses them are central to all dynamic web sites. This course will use PHP and MySQL to provide students with the tools for the creation of database driven sites.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: WBDV 243 [Min Grade: D]
