Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Communication in Immersive Media is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers in research and applications of immersive media by providing them with knowledge of virtual reality and augmented reality technology, 3D modeling, game development engines, writing, and design thinking. Students will build experiences in education, gaming, architecture, software, and entertainment for various industries by combining industry-standard design processes and aesthetic methodologies with cutting-edge technology. Students are expected to attain both a strong historical, ethical, and practical understanding of immersive technologies as well as a grasp of the rapidly emerging technologies undoubtedly shaping the evolution of our computing landscape. Graduates will be able to work as artists, immersive designers, and creative technologists in fields including the arts, computer science, simulation, architecture, healthcare, and more.
Curriculum Requirements for Immersive Media
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | ||
CIM 101 | Internet, Media, and Society | 3 |
CIM 102 | Interaction Design | 3 |
CIM 458 | Immersive Storytelling | 3 |
COM 250 | Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics | 3 |
or PHI 115 | Social and Ethical Issues in Computing | |
Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement | ||
Select one of the following writing skills courses: | 3 | |
Introduction to Screenwriting | ||
Writing for the Digital Age | ||
Select one of the following presentation skills courses: | 3 | |
Public Speaking | ||
Business Communication | ||
Digital Skills Course: | ||
CIM 203 | Intro to Creative Coding | 3 |
Track Requirement | ||
Choose one of the following: | 12 | |
Designer Track | ||
Human-Centered Design | ||
Building Virtual Worlds | ||
Augmented Reality | ||
Advanced 3D Character Design and Motion Capture | ||
Developer Track | ||
Python Programming for Everyone | ||
or ECE 118 | Introduction to Programming | |
Computer Programming I | ||
or ECE 218 | Data Structures | |
Computer Programming II | ||
or ECE 318 | Algorithms | |
Introduction to Game Programming | ||
or CIM 423 | Building Virtual Worlds | |
or CIM 433 | Augmented Reality | |
Practicum Requirement | ||
Take one credit sequentially for three semesters | ||
CIM 459 | Immersive Media Studio (NEW COURSE: Immersive Media Studio) | 3 |
Select four Electives from the following list below | 12 | |
Introduction to Game Studies | ||
User Experience Design | ||
Introduction to Game Design | ||
Physical Computing | ||
Human-Computer Interaction | ||
Mobile Application Development | ||
Human-Centered Design | ||
Building Virtual Worlds | ||
Augmented Reality | ||
Designing Games for Impact | ||
Dynamic Data | ||
Interactive Media Internship | ||
Projects and Directed Research | ||
Media Entrepreneurship | ||
Introduction to Game Programming | ||
Android Programming | ||
Introduction to Computer Graphics | ||
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | ||
Introduction to Mobile Computing | ||
Introduction to Innovation: Learning About Innovation by Innovating | ||
Algorithms | ||
Immersive Experience and Virtual Reality | ||
General Education Requirements | ||
Written Communication Skills: | ||
WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
or WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | |
Quantitative Skills: | 3 | |
Finite Mathematics (for the Designer Track) | ||
Precalculus Mathematics II (for the Developer Track) | ||
Areas of Knowledge: | ||
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
People and Society Cognate | 9 | |
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major) | ||
Additional Requirements | ||
Minor or Second Major and Electives | 45 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
- *
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, https://cognates.miami.edu/ 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
Freshman Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
CIM 101 | Internet, Media, and Society | 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, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CIM 458 | Immersive Storytelling | 3 |
Select 3 credits in either Designer 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 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Sophomore Year | ||
Fall | ||
Select 3 credits in either Designer Track or Developer Track | 3 | |
CIM 102 | Interaction Design | 3 |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
People and Society Cognate | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CIM 459 | Immersive Media Studio | 1 |
COS 211 or 333 | Public Speaking or Business Communication | 3 |
Select 3 credits in either Designer Track or Developer Track | 3 | |
Arts and Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
People and Society Cognate | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 2 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Junior Year | ||
Fall | ||
CIM 459 | Immersive Media Studio | 1 |
Select 3 credits in either Designer Track or Developer Track | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 2 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
CIM 459 | Immersive Media Studio | 1 |
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Electives from UM Bulletin | 3 | |
COM 250 or PHI 115 | Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics or Social and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 2 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Senior Year | ||
Fall | ||
CCA 126 or JMM 108 | Introduction to Screenwriting or Writing for the Digital Age | 3 |
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Electives from UM Bulletin | 3 | |
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Electives from UM Bulletin | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Select 3 credits in Immersive Media Electives from UM Bulletin | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
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.