Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Communication in Immersive Media prepares students to lead in the rapidly evolving fields of virtual and augmented reality, game design, spatial computing, and simulation. Offered jointly by the Departments of Interactive Media, Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering, the program blends technical expertise with creative innovation to develop the next generation of immersive media professionals. 

Students gain hands-on experience in VR/AR development, interactive storytelling, game design, and 3D world-building, while exploring the social and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Through collaborative, project-based learning, they master industry-standard tools and production workflows that translate directly to professional environments. 


Graduates are prepared for careers in game development, immersive content creation, user experience design, simulation, research, and interactive media innovation and ready to shape how people connect, learn, and experience the world through technology.

Curriculum Requirements for Immersive Media

Core Courses
CIM 106Introduction to Virtual Reality3
CIM 204Introduction to Game Design3
CIM 454Intro to 3D Design3
CIM 458Immersive Storytelling3
COM 250Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics3
or PHI 115 Social and Ethical Issues in Computing
Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement
Writing Skills Course:
WRS 335Writing for Interactive Media3
Select one of the following presentation skills courses:3
COS 211
Public Speaking
COS 333
Business Communication
Digital Skills Course:
CIM 203Intro to Creative Coding3
Track Requirement
Choose one of the following:12
System Design Track
CIM 422
Human-Centered Design
CIM 423
Building Virtual Worlds
CIM 433
Augmented Reality
CIM 444
Designing Games for Impact
Developer Track
CSC 115
Python Programming for Everyone
or ECE 118
 Introduction to Programming
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
or ECE 218
 Data Structures
CSC 220
Computer Programming II
or ECE 318
 Algorithms
CSC 329
Introduction to Game Programming
or CIM 423
 Building Virtual Worlds
or CIM 433
 Augmented Reality
Other Required Courses
Select four electives of the following:12
CIM 104
Introduction to Game Studies
CIM 202
User Experience Design
CIM 383
Physical Computing
CIM 412
Human-Computer Interaction
CIM 413
Mobile Application Development
CIM 422
Human-Centered Design
CIM 423
Building Virtual Worlds
CIM 433
Augmented Reality
CIM 442
Meaningful Connections in the Digital World
CIM 444
Designing Games for Impact
CIM 453
Dynamic Data
CIM 464
Video Game Spectatorship and Esports
CIM 469
Interactive Media Internship
CIM 489
Special Topics in Interactive Media
CIM 499
Projects and Directed Research
CSC 329
Introduction to Game Programming
CSC 330
Android Programming
CSC 529
Introduction to Computer Graphics
CSC 545
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
ECE 101
Introduction to Mobile Computing
ECE 110
Introduction to Innovation: Learning About Innovation by Innovating
ECE 318
Algorithms
PHI 359
Immersive Experience and Virtual Reality
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 106First-Year Writing II3
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:3
MTH 113
Finite Mathematics (for the System Design Track)
MTH 108
Precalculus Mathematics II (for the Developer Track)
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts & Humanities Cognate9
People & Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Requirements
Minor, Second Major and Electives45
Total Credit Hours120
*

School of Communication students are required to complete a minimum of a minor (inside or outside of the school) in addition to their Communication major to graduate. For an optional 2nd major, please see your advisor. 

*

School of Communication students must complete 6 credits of Written Communication Skills unless exempt based on SAT/ACT score or AP/IB exam, 3-6 credits of Mathematics, http://www.miami.edu/cognates/ and the Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Proficiency requirement.

Upper Level Elective Requirement

36 credits at the 300 level or higher are required for graduation. These credits may be earned from your major, minor and/or second major, and electives.

Suggested Plan of Study for Immersive Media

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman Year
FallCredit Hours
CIM 106 Introduction to Virtual Reality 3
CIM 203 Intro to Creative Coding 3
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
MTH 108 or 113 Precalculus Mathematics II
or Finite Mathematics
 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select 3 credits in either System Design Track or Developer Track 3
WRS 106 or 107 First-Year Writing II
or First-Year Writing II: STEM
 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Sophomore Year
Fall
CIM 204 Introduction to Game Design 3
Select 3 credits in either System Design Track or Developer Track 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
COM 250 or PHI 115 Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics
or Social and Ethical Issues in Computing
 3
COS 211 or 333 Public Speaking
or Business Communication
 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Junior Year
Fall
CIM 454 Intro to 3D Design 3
Select 3 credits in either System Design Track or Developer Track 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Bulletin course list 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Senior Year
Fall
CIM 458 Immersive Storytelling 3
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Bulletin course list 3
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Bulletin course list 3
WRS 335 Writing for Interactive Media 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Select 3 credits in either System Design Track or Developer Track 3
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Bulletin course list 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
Minor or Second Major or Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120

Additional Major Requirements for Immersive Media

Core Courses
CIM 106Introduction to Virtual Reality3
CIM 204Introduction to Game Design3
CIM 454Intro to 3D Design3
CIM 458Immersive Storytelling3
COM 250Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics3
or PHI 115 Social and Ethical Issues in Computing
Track Requirement
Choose one of the following:12
System Design Track
CIM 422
Human-Centered Design
CIM 423
Building Virtual Worlds
CIM 433
Augmented Reality
CIM 444
Designing Games for Impact
Developer Track
CSC 115
Python Programming for Everyone
or ECE 118
 Introduction to Programming
CSC 120
Computer Programming I
or ECE 218
 Data Structures
CSC 220
Computer Programming II
or ECE 318
 Algorithms
CSC 329
Introduction to Game Programming
or CIM 423
 Building Virtual Worlds
or CIM 433
 Augmented Reality
Other Required Courses
Select four electives of the following:12
CIM 104
Introduction to Game Studies
CIM 202
User Experience Design
CIM 383
Physical Computing
CIM 412
Human-Computer Interaction
CIM 413
Mobile Application Development
CIM 422
Human-Centered Design
CIM 423
Building Virtual Worlds
CIM 433
Augmented Reality
CIM 442
Meaningful Connections in the Digital World
CIM 444
Designing Games for Impact
CIM 453
Dynamic Data
CIM 464
Video Game Spectatorship and Esports
CIM 469
Interactive Media Internship
CIM 489
Special Topics in Interactive Media
CIM 499
Projects and Directed Research
CSC 329
Introduction to Game Programming
CSC 330
Android Programming
CSC 529
Introduction to Computer Graphics
CSC 545
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
ECE 101
Introduction to Mobile Computing
ECE 110
Introduction to Innovation: Learning About Innovation by Innovating
ECE 318
Algorithms
PHI 359
Immersive Experience and Virtual Reality
Total Credit Hours39

Mission

We aim to prepare graduates who are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be stewards of the new and emerging field of immersive computing. We will cultivate students who design, build, and deploy these technologies responsibly from the start. We want our students to be at the forefront of this revolution and in a position to accelerate the adoption of immersive tools like virtual reality and augmented reality in a responsible and ethical manner.

Goals

To promote:

  • Knowledge and understanding of immersive media technologies and the impact they will have on society. 
  • Consideration of best practices in designing and developing tools and experiences for immersive media.
  • Knowledge of how to leverage immersive media to communicate, educate, and share experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to understand the impact virtual reality and artificial intelligence could have on business, society, and people.
  • Students will be able to explore how virtual space alters the dimension of the human experience.
  • Students will be able to shape how communities will organize in virtual spaces; and how virtual reality will open new spaces for communities.
  • Students will be able to design, build, and deploy immersive content and technologies responsibly.