N100 Introduction to Digital Media Principles (3 cr.) Introduces skills and knowledge critical to making a successful new media product in today's competitive market place. It will focus on new and emerging technologies and applications, and design processes and principles for creating innovative digital products. Class content will include lectures, demonstrations, new media examples, guest speakers, and class discussions.

N101 Topics in Interactive Media (3 cr.) P: N100. Interactive multimedia is a rapidly evolving field that is significantly influenced by changes in theory, storage media, computing hardware, design and editing principles from animation and video production, authoring/presentation software and communication capabilities in disciplines such as music, art, and journalism. Students will be exposed to recent trends by hands-on development of interactive media projects. These will include development of interactive multimedia for use on multiple platforms, developing multimedia that can be accessed via the Internet, real-time/real-audio interaction between users and the development of interactive CD-ROM based multimedia.

N110 Visualizing Information (3 cr.) P:N101. An introductory visual communication course for new media students using traditional and digital media and print best practices. Students develop an understanding of basic design principles and applications. Design history and the elements of composition and typography are applied through exercises and projects. The focus is on foundations of visual thinking, sketching, exploring the relationship between type and image, and developing multiple solutions to a given problem in the context of simple and complex visual information. Computer images will be constructed using the basics of Illustrator.

N175 Digital Media I: Vector Imaging (3 cr.) P: N101. Vector graphics are produced using traditional visualization (sketches) and computer methods. Color theory, geometric construction, perspective and rendering techniques are utilized in vector based graphic creation for use in new media applications. (Illustrator)

N180 Digital Media II: Raster Imaging (3 cr.) P: N101. Raster graphics are produced using traditional visualization (sketches) and computer methods. Topics will include image composition, realistic representation, digital imaging for new media, color mode and pallet usage, material and value representation. (PhotoShop)

N200 Desktop Tools for Digital Media (3 cr.) P: N101. An introduction to the principles of multimedia creation and digital effects. Authoring, video and sound editing computer applications, as well as cyberspace protocols and language are engaged. The class will focus on a number of different software programs.

N201 Design Issues in Digital Media (3 cr.) P: N101 Introductory course that will equip students with strategies in assembling visuals applicable to any medium. It will explore composition strategies; visual literacy and awareness; and principles of the visual display of quantitative information. The course will begin with traditional visual (print) media and move into digital forms to give the student an awareness and ability to work in any medium. Projects, lectures, discussion, and writing assignments serve as a survey of best practice.

N204 Introduction to Interactive Media (3 cr.) P: N101. The creation of interactive multimedia products for multi-platform delivery. Topics include: the multimedia production process, audience analysis, hardware and software requirements, authoring tools, scripting, content development, interface design, distribution and development strategies. Concentration will be on real world applications for interactive multimedia. (Director I)

N210 Introduction to Digital Sound (3 cr.) P: N101. This course provides an introduction to digital sound creation and editing. Topics will focus on analog and digital sound techniques using a variety of computer-based equipment. In addition, analog to digital conversion, basic editing, formats and conversion techniques, digital to analog conversion and basic sound effect techniques for new media will be covered. (SoundForge and Sonar programs will be used.)

N215 On-Line Document Development (3 cr.) P: N101. An introductory course for the creation, publication, and management of documents and images for on-line distribution on the Internet. Topics include an introduction to hypermedia development, portable document formats, Web publishing, document conversion, file exchanges, and image preparation. (Dreamweaver)

N230 Introduction to Game Design and Development (3 cr.) P: N101, N175, N180. An introduction course to "Video" game design and development for entertainment. Topics covered will be game theory, design and development of computer-based games, current game delivery systems and software, the commercial development cycle, case studies of current games, ethical issues including the current game rating system, and emerging technical developments in game development, and current game trends. Production will be in reference to developing new levels of existing games.

N235 Introduction to Computer Simulation/Animation (3 cr.) P: N101. An introductory course covering applied three-dimensional computer graphic animation for students interested in the use of design, time and motion study, surface texture mapping, lighting, color and the technology required to produce computer animations for commercial applications in manufacturing design, marketing, training, gaming, web creation, and entertainment. (3D Studio Max I)

N240 Introduction to Digital Video (3 cr.) P: N101. An introductory course covering video production techniques for digital media. The technology (hardware and software) along with techniques will be taught through lecture and projects. All phases of video production will be addressed: from pre-production to post-production with a focus on the digital media aspects. (Adobe Premiere)

N250 Team Building in Technology (3 cr.) P: N101. A methods course designed to help students improve their effectiveness in solving problems and expand critical thinking when working in groups of three or more people. This course is practical in orientation including the interpersonal process, decision-making styles, problem solving concepts and procedures, the creative effort, conflict resolution, leadership, and assessment. Projects will be developed with objectives, requirements, and constraints; client requests, and implementation of the design solution, executing the design plan, and evaluating the final project.

N290 Creative Concept Development (3 cr.) Creativity, ideation, and concept development are the focus of this new media course. Students learn the processes of creative problem solving and idea generation and development through specific theories, methodologies and projects as they apply to new media design in two-dimensions, three-dimensions, and sound. Processes include brainstorming, group think-tanking, sketching, storyboarding, and other image making for image, motion, and sound.

N295 Career Enrichment Cooperative (3 cr.) P: N175, N180; sophomore standing and approval of the dean. A semester of external career experiences designed to enrich the student's preparedness for entering the workforce. Periodic meetings with faculty advisors and a comprehensive written report on the experience detailing the intern's activities and reactions is required.

N300 Digital Media Production (3 cr.) P: N101. This is an advanced course demanding innovational design and technical skills to meet systematic studio work on complex computational undertakings resulting in multimedia projects that are conceived, observed, and analyzed. Digital skills and tools are taught in lecture and hands-on experimentation format including creative process and evaluation. Combines the production of journalism, music composition, animation/simulation, with computer transmission of imaging, sound, and video.

N302 Media Simulation Methods (3 cr.) P: N101. A study of the fundamentals and methods of building and using computer-based simulation models, including: the utility of simulation as a decision support tool; representing queuing systems in a computer model; simulated sampling from distributions of input variables; point and interval estimates of expected values of output variables, and the design of simulation sampling experiments. (3D Studio Max II)

N304 Interactive Media Applications (3 cr.) P: N204. Digital design methodology and techniques, control and timing, machine organization, instruction sequencing, and data flow control; control unit implementation by means of hardware and micro-programming; synchronization of input/output operations with interface design. (Director II).

N311 The Digital Paradigm Shift: Effects in International Cultures and Society (3 cr.) This course teaches how the paradigm shift to a digital world will affect international cultures and societies. A study of the major paradigm shifts in reference to culture and society as well as the effect for the future for humanity as a culture. Based on readings, lectures, class discussions, and papers with supported citations.

N315 On-line Document Development II (3 cr.) P: N215. Advanced creation, publication, and management of interactive publications for on-line distribution with the inclusion of emerging technologies for a media-rich experience. Topics include an interactive Web site development, animations for the Web, on-line interactive design, document conversion, file exchanges, and digital media development for on-line usage. (Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks)

N330 Game Design, Development, and Production (3 cr.) P: N230. Advanced game development by producing interactive computer-based games. The process learned in N230 will be put into practice by developing a story, characters, programming, and interactive game based on current trends in game development. Use of actual game development systems for current console gaming systems.

N335 Computer-Based Character Simulation/Animation II (3 cr.) P: N235. A class that will take the basics of computer animation to the next level by including character animation. Students will learn the craft of biped motion using traditional and advanced methods. The class will instruct on the physics based topics of gravity, balance, drag, and overshoot in developing character movements. Students will also learn skills in modeling the character and in the creation of synched facial animation. Project based and two character animations will be completed from storyboard to digital movie format.

N340 Digital Video Production (3 cr.) P: N240. An advanced project based course covering applied techniques for digital video and media production. Additional aspects of creating, editing, and producing digital video will be taught through collaborative production. Compositing, 2D animation, and DVD production will be addressed along with additional media output types. (Adobe After Effects, DVD authoring software)

N400 Imaging and Digital Media Seminar (3 cr.) Variable titled course designed to bring guest speakers from industry as well as other disciplines on campus to expose students to the wide realm of new media and how it can be utilized in each discipline. Class discussions, assigned readings, and research papers.

N410 History and Theory of Digital Media (3 cr.) Examines the history of computer-based media, technologies and the digital information age. Topics include studying the historical components and developments, as well as present digital media, and research speculation towards the future of digital media and technologies.

N420 Multimedia Project Development (3 cr.) This course will focus on total project design and development of interactive multimedia applications. Topics to be covered include: system design and development, selection of appropriate hardware and software platforms, use of productivity tools, project management, dynamics of team-based project development, cost analysis, prototyping, pilot testing, and other evaluation/usability techniques to insure product quality. Students will work in teams to develop large-scale projects.

N435 Computer Simulation/Animation III Production (3 cr.) P: N335. Advanced animation course focusing on the creation of high-end simulation productions. This course will focus in more depth on greater story development and on a commercially finished animation. Topics to be covered in lecture format include rigid body dynamics, soft bodies, track animation, nurbs modeling, and particle dynamics. Concept theories will discuss physics and gravity, incorporation of digital sound and music, quality story and character development, and outputting techniques for broadcast application. (Maya)

N440 DV and CGI Digital Effects (3 cr.) P: N340 and N335. An advanced course covering the integration of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) and digital effect techniques for video production, as used in industry. Students learn the techniques for creating digital effects, shooting video for effects, and the use of effects to aid in the telling of a story. Topics include integration of text, graphics, sound, video, and 2D/3D animation into video productions. Advanced editing and composite techniques will be explored through projects (Adobe After Effects, DVD authoring software, Alias Wavefront Maya)

N450 Usability Principles for New Media Interfaces (3 cr.) This course introduces the principles of human computer interaction (HCI) and user experience modeling through a focused study of the theory and application of user-centered design, usability, and usability testing in the context of new media (hypermedia and multimedia) product development. Relationships are drawn between aesthetics, human factors, and cognitive psychology in the development of graphic user interfaces (GUI), information architecture, navigation, and interactivity. Methods to validate new media design solutions are applied through controlled usability inspections, testing, and the statistical assessment of data through an interface prototype project.

N475 Research in Design Methods (3 cr.) This course is designed to give students an understanding of the advanced concepts of theoretical topics, simulation modeling and analysis concepts. Investigate applications of simulation in systems characterized by probabilistic behavior.

N485 When Business Meets Technology (3 cr.)

N485 Animation 2-D (3 cr.)

N485 Game Theory (3 cr.)

N485 Corporate Visualization Seminar (3 cr.)

N485 Advanced Digital Signal Processing (3 cr.) Pre-requisite: N210 or by instructor approval. This course provides an advanced understanding of DSP(digital signal processing) and sound FX techniques in sound designing for different types of new media applications. Topics will focus on digital sound techniques using a variety of computer- based equipment. In addition, there will be advanced editing, and various sound FX triggering techniques. Formats and conversion techniques, for new media will also be covered. (SoundForge and Sonar programs will be used.)

N490 Independent Study (1-6 cr.) Research and practical experience in various areas of new media as selected by the student prior to registration, outlined in consultation with the instructor and approved by the program advisor. Total credit of Internship/Independent Study shall not exceed nine hours.

N495 Enrichment Internship (3 cr.) P: Junior standing and program advisor approval. Industry, corporate, or similar experience in new media oriented employment. Projects jointly arranged, coordinated, and evaluated by faculty and industrial supervisors. Apply during the semester prior to desired internship. Total credit of Internship/Independent. Study shall not exceed nine hours.

N499 Capstone Experience (3 cr.) The capstone experience is the culmination of the students' major in knowledge and abilities in a particular area of interest in New Media and integrates students' learning across the field. (To be taken during the students' senior year).

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