B.S. Interactive Media Design

B.S. Interactive Media Design Program Information

Available online at Franklin University .

The Bachelor of Science major in Interactive Media Design is a degree completion program designed for those students who have associate's degrees, or the equivalent coursework, in interactive media or a related area. The program is geared for students who are at points in their careers where they now need bachelor's degrees to advance to the next level of achievement.

Students with associate's degrees in interactive media, or the equivalent, can transfer complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Interactive Media Design. The major will accept students who have the equivalent of an associate's degree that includes 24 semester credits of courses in interactive media, web design, animation, or other related technology from an accredited institution.

The Interactive Media Design major offers a combination of design, technology, and project management courses that develop the ability to apply technology and design skills to develop interactive training, advertising, and entertainment tools essential in a wide range of settings such as advertising agencies, educational organizations, media groups, and other professional situations.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS: Interactive Media Design students are expected to exceed the University's General Technology Requirements, and may be required to purchase hardware and/or software with capabilities greater than the standard technology requirements. Students should be prepared to invest in additional software, and be able to install and uninstall it without assistance. Courses with specific hardware and software requirements are detailed in the course syllabus under the "Required Materials" section. To maximize the educational experience, students must have: . Current model computer (less than 2 years of age) . DVD optical drive . 2 GB RAM minimum (4 GB+ recommended) . Broadband access . 40 GB or higher of available hard drive space at the beginning of each term

Curriculum & Course Descriptions

120 Semester Hours
Fundamental General Education
English Composition
ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competencies necessary for completing analytical and argumentative papers supported by secondary research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of critical reading, effective writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of an extended, documented research paper.

Mathematics
MATH 160 - College Algebra (4)

This course is designed to prepare students for Applied Calculus and Discrete Mathematics and to provide the mathematical background needed for the analytic reasoning used in other courses. Topics include functions and their graphs, including exponential and logarithmic functions; complex numbers; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; basic principles of counting and probability; and other selected topics. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).

OR MATH 215 - Statistical Concepts (4)

This course introduces you to statistics with applications to various areas. The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics included are: sampling techniques, data types, experiments; measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, graphical displays of data, basic probability concepts, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions and Central Limit Theorem; confidence intervals, hypothesis tests of a mean, or a proportion for one or two populations, and linear regression.

Choose MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite for MATH 160. Choose either MATH 140 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite to MATH 215. Course can count as a University Elective.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology disciplines. Courses must be from two different disciplines.

Science

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

Arts & Humanities

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education
PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferrable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for time management, goal setting, reading comprehension, and advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and presentation skills.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This basic public-speaking course intends to improve the student's ability to think critically and to communicate orally. Theory and practice are provided in various speaking situations. Each student is required to speak before an audience, but class work also involves reading, gathering and organizing information, writing, and listening.

PF 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)

This course focuses on using spreadsheets to solve business problems.

ENG 220 - Research Writing: Exploring Professional Identities (4)

This is an intermediate course focusing on the composition of research papers. Students in this course prepare to be active participants in professional discourse communities by examining and practicing the writing conventions associated with their own fields of study and work. By calling attention to the conventions of disciplinary writing, the course also prepares students for upper-division college writing and the special conventions of advanced academic discourse. Course activities include three extended research papers, semi-formal writing addressing interdisciplinary communication, and readings fostering critical engagement with disciplinary conversations.

Technical Credit

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Web Design Fundamentals

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Graphic Design Fundamentals

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Interactive Design Fundamentals

15 credits from the following types of courses:
Interactive media or from the following related areas: Web Design, Interactive Media, or Media Design

Major Area Required
COMM 335 - Communication in Groups and Teams (4)

The course examines current theories and best practices of working collaboratively in professional contexts. Students apply these concepts to analyze their own work experience, generating strategies for how to improve their performance in work groups. Students will learn basic project management skills and work in online virtual teams to complete a final communication project.

COMP 325 - Human-Computer Interaction (4)

This course covers a broad range of important topics within Human-Computer Interaction and its implications for the design of interactive systems. By understanding the user's viewpoint and technology's effect on people, we can better plan for the selection, design, implementation, and use of technology so that the effects are positive rather than negative. The focus is on the design of interactive systems and human-computer interfaces. The course will cover the current literature and the knowns and unknowns of Human-Computer Interaction and design. The design process is centered on the user and is based on a multidisciplinary approach that synthesizes computer science, cognitive science, and psychology. Human-computer interface designers also use analytical and empirical techniques to assess, predict, and evaluate whether a design meets user requirements. During this course, you will focus on 3 major types of assignments: Written assignments on HCI principles and system design. A project during which you will demonstrate your ability to apply HCI principles to design a software interface. A journal where you will record and reflect on your observations related to your studies in the course.

GRPH 310 - Advanced Graphic Design (4)

In this course, a strong focus is placed on preparing students to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences through graphic design. Students will learn to apply these principles using traditional methods supported by computer technology.

IMD 300 - Digital Media Design (4)

This course explores motion graphic design using Adobe After Effects. The focus will be on creating video that can be used in interactive media projects, web sites, and social media contexts. The course examines common practices and methods of creating professional quality media using current technologies. Students work individually and in teams to design, develop, and implement digital media for projects.

IMD 400 - Interactive Media for Training & Instruction (4)

This upper-level Interactive Media Design course provides practical application and experience in the creation of digitally mediated communication for training and instructional purposes. Students work individually and within teams to produce professional-quality media used for interactive training and instruction. The course provides hands-on experience identifying a training opportunity, followed by the design of a suitable innovation, and ending with the implementation of a solution. Students use computer software and technology to integrate text, graphics, video, audio, and animation in to produce interactive training and instruction.

IMD 430 - Interactive Media for Entertainment (4)

This upper-level Interactive Media Design course provides practical application and experience in the creation of digitally mediated communication for entertainment. Students work individually and within design teams, filling the necessary roles to produce professional quality entertainment media. The course provides hands-on experience conducting a needs analysis, followed by the design of a suitable innovation, and ending with the implementation of a solution. Students use computer software and technology to present text, graphics, video, audio, and animation in an integrated environment that produces an interactive and engaging media product.

IMD 450 - Interactive Media for Advertising (4)

This upper-level Interactive Media Design course provides practical application and experience in the creation of digitally mediated communication for advertising purposes. The course provides students with the knowledge and experience to design interactive media used in advertising to satisfy marketing objectives. The course provides hands-on experience conducting a needs analysis, followed by the design of a suitable advertising innovation, and ending with the implementation of a solution. Students utilize computer software and technology to present text, graphics, video, audio, and animation in an integrated way to produce interactive marketing materials.

IMD 490 - Interactive Media Design Practicum (4)

In this course, students create interactive media products for actual clients, thus gaining the most practical experience possible in an education setting. The practicum is organized like an actual design firm with the instructor as the organizational leader and students filling different roles in the organization. Students are placed in design teams based on their experience and talents. Within the teams, they collaborate to design and develop solutions to practical problems that require interactive media solutions. These problems may be training, marketing, or entertainment oriented or a combination of all three. IMD490 and IMD495 make up the final IMD capstone course progression and as such the two courses must be taken in sequential order and in separate terms.

IMD 495 - Interactive Media Design Capstone (4)

This is the first practicum course in the Interactive Media Design program. It provides experience in an on-going interactive media design project. A student at this level will be given an assignment in a team similar to that of a new hire in industry. The interactive media design project will require the student to apply industry best practices in completing an assignment for the project.

University Electives

23 credits from the following types of courses:
Any undergraduate courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.