Overview
The Department of Interactive Media offers a major in Interactive Media.
The Department of Interactive Media strives to foster active learning in the design and research of technologies that improve society and people's lives. Our hands-on curriculum allows students to explore the role that interactive technologies play in communication and how they shape our world.
The major offered by the Department of Interactive Media is designed to enable students to customize their education within a learning environment that is collaborative and conducive to the pursuit, exchange, and development of ideas and information. The curriculum also further provides students with the tools necessary to succeed in a range of careers defined by a rapidly changing technology and media landscape and equips them to best leverage interactivity, emerging technologies, and innovative developments in the field.
As a major in the CIM department, many opportunities await you, including access to the following facilities and equipment: the Emerging Media Lab used for fabrication, board games, physical computing, and digital screen-based games; the XR Studio is used for virtual reality, volumetric captures studio and augmented reality experimentation, the User Experience (UX) Lab supports interdisciplinary research on understanding how people use information systems. The New Experience Research & Design Lab (NERDLab) is a student-faculty cooperative driven by research, development, and an enthusiasm for social impact.
More Information on our facilities and labs can be viewed at https://interactive.miami.edu/spaces/
The Ribeiro Innovation Fund is an endowed fund support lectures and workshops that instill creative confidence in students. It enriches the academic curriculum promoting innovation in the field of interactive media by inviting industry leaders and innovators; thus tightening the link between the Interactive Media program and industry.
Curriculum Requirements for Interactive Media
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CIM 101 | Internet, Media, and Society | 3 |
| CIM 102 | Interaction Design I | 3 |
| CIM 103 | Web Lab | 3 |
| CIM 203 | Intro to Creative Coding | 3 |
| CIM 383 | Physical Computing | 3 |
| CIM 453 | Dynamic Data | 3 |
| or CIM 202 | Interaction Design II | |
| COM 250 | Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics | 3 |
| Advanced Writing and Communication Skills Requirement | ||
| CCA 126 | Introduction to Screenwriting | 3 |
| or JMM 108 | Writing for the Digital Age | |
| or WRS 233 | Advanced Writing for STEM | |
| COS 211 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COS 333 | Business Communication | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9-10 credits from list | 9-10 | |
| Introduction to Game Studies | ||
| Interaction Design II | ||
| Introduction to Game Design | ||
| Special Topics in Interactive Media | ||
| Human-Computer Interaction | ||
| Mobile Application Development | ||
| Internet and Media Activism | ||
| Human-Centered Design | ||
| Building Virtual Worlds | ||
| Augmented Reality | ||
| Front End Fundamentals | ||
| Designing Games for Impact | ||
| Dynamic Data | ||
| Immersive Storytelling | ||
| Video Game Spectatorship and Esports | ||
| Internship in Interactive Media | ||
| 2D Character Design | ||
| Special Topics in Interactive Media | ||
| Projects and Directed Research | ||
| Designing Playful Experiences (Designing Playful Experiences) | ||
| Technology Trends | ||
| Interactive Media Business Essentials | ||
| Design with Al | ||
| Practicum in Interactive Media | ||
| Game Development Studio | ||
JMM 304 | ||
| Introduction to Infographics and Data Visualization | ||
| Advanced Infographics and Data Visualization | ||
| Applied Data Analytics for Journalism and Media Management | ||
| 3D Design and Graphics | ||
| Multimedia II/ Animation | ||
| Multimedia III | ||
| Cybersecurity: An Introduction to Security in Cyberspace | ||
| Computer Programming I | ||
| Additional electives and special topics courses may be substituted with approval of departmental adviser or department chair. | ||
| Portfolio Requirement | 3 | |
| Interactive Media Studio | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| WRS 106 | First-Year Writing II | 3 |
| or WRS 107 | First-Year Writing II: STEM | |
| or ENG 106 | Writing About Literature and Culture | |
| Arts & Humanities Cognate | 9 | |
| People & Society Cognate | 9 | |
| Minor, Second Major and Electives | 57 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
- *
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 English Composition unless exempt based on SAT/ACT score or AP/IB exam, 3-6 credits of Mathematics, University 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 Interactive Media
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CIM 101 | Internet, Media, and Society | 3 |
| CIM 102 | Interaction Design I | 3 |
| MTH 113, JMM 285, or STC 103 | Finite Mathematics or Applied Statistics for Journalism and Media Management or Statistical Reasoning for Strategic Communication | 3 |
| WRS 105 | First-Year Writing I | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIM 103 | Web Lab | 3 |
| CIM 203 | Intro to Creative Coding | 3 |
| WRS 105, 107, or ENG 106 | First-Year Writing I or First-Year Writing II: STEM or Writing About Literature and Culture | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
| People & Society Cognate | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIM 453 | Dynamic Data | 3 |
| COM 250 | Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities Cognate | 3 | |
| People & Society Cognate | 3 | |
| Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CCA 126, JMM 108, or WRS 233 | Introduction to Screenwriting or Writing for the Digital Age or Advanced Writing for STEM | 3 |
| CIM 383 | Physical Computing | 3 |
| People & Society Cognate | 3 | |
| Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
| Minor, Second Major or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select 3 credits in Interactive 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 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select 3 credits in Interactive 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 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select 3 credits in Interactive 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 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIM 511 | Interactive Media Studio | 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
The Interactive Media major addresses the growing need for communicators who fluidly combine design, technology, visual arts and research to help stimulate comprehension and integration of technology into every aspect of daily life. This program will produce graduates who, in addition to being innovative and interdisciplinary, are responsive to cross-sector dynamics and therefore are industry ready.
Goals
The major in Interactive Media will provide students with expertise in designing and analyzing products and systems, incorporating rich interaction through the use of computational power.
Student Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to enhance our students’ abilities to:
- Conceptualize communication models based on possibilities offered by emerging technologies.
- Evaluate user experiences by conducting usability testing.
- Understand business models and the metrics driving online business models.
- Research, analyze, prototype and design concepts from concept to launch.
- Realize business goals with elegant and intuitive interactive designs.
- Conceive, research, synthesize, and implement creative solutions to complex problems posed by emerging technologies.
- Master dynamic communication techniques that give control to the user rather than the computer.
- Embrace, integrate and adapt quickly to a variety of disciplines in technology, art, design, science, education, healthcare and business.
- Learn to work in teams and manage projects.
