The BADAS Experience

Starting at the lower-division level, the BADAS program includes a core curriculum that all students are required to complete. This core includes foundational courses covering all facets of the Digital Arts & Sciences (DAS). Students gain proficiency in a range of relevant technologies, strengthen their ability to collaborate and communicate, and are allowed to apply design concepts and critical thinking skills across multiple disciplines.

At the upper-division level, the curriculum is designed to allow flexibility, offering focused DAS coursework in a variety of subject areas. In total, students have 30 credits of electives, of which a minimum of 12 credits must be courses in the BADAS major (also referred to as “BADAS electives”). Students are encouraged to work with faculty and advisors to construct elective sets that best meet their individual career goals. The remaining 12 elective credits provide opportunities for either an outside minor or concentration. 

Students entering Fall 2020 or later, choose elective courses from the Institute's current offerings in Experience Design & Production, Animation, Game Design.

DIG 2005 Introduction to Digital Technologies

Comprehensive introduction to fundamental digital technologies and computing concepts; covers history of computing, binary arithmetic, Boolean logic, file formats, computer architecture, databases, networking, security/privacy, and ethics.

DIG 2021 Foundations of Digital Culture

An interdisciplinary overview of the technological and cultural developments that continue to shape the modern world. Student research covers topics including telecommunications, digital and analog technologies, video games, computer-generated entertainment and the rise of social media.

DIG 2121 Principles of Digital Visualization

Develops appreciation and basic fluency in the application of visual and design literacy into emergent forms of digital media. Historical and theoretical perspectives inform hands-on learning across topics including pre-visualization and storyboarding in static and time-based media, and the critical analysis of contemporary and iconic visual storytelling.

DIG 2632 Creating Mobile Games

Introduces designing mobile video games with simple drag and drop programming and basic asset creation. Covers the essential principles of design and development needed to create effective arcade-style games. Provides a solid foundation in the technical skills needed to create multi-platform mobile games.

DIG 3521 Project Methodologies

This course introduces skills for successfully planning and managing digital projects. Focusing on the production of digital games, animation, and digital audio/video, students will learn about management life cycle, project parameters, matrix management challenges, effective project management tools and techniques, interpersonal skills, and the role of a project manager.

DIG 3124 Principles of Interaction & Usability

This course introduces students to the principles of interaction and usability for digital interfaces and systems. The course focuses on identifying end-users’ needs and providing solutions tailored to those needs through interaction design, cognitive and emotional aspects of digital interfaces, visual aesthetics, data gathering, prototyping, and evaluation.

DIG 3313C 2D Digital Animation Techniques

Introduces foundational knowledge of animation in a 2D space; learn how to design and implement character, abstract, and shape animation.

DIG 3305C 3D Digital Animation Techniques

Introduces the foundations of creating 3D digital environments and animations; implement industry-standard animation principles and practices, including reference-centric animation and polygonal modeling.

DIG 3525C Design and Production Studio 1

Provides digital imaging and design foundations in visualization. Also offers an introduction to the foundation of interface tools in industry standard digital imaging software.

DIG 3526C Design and Production Studio 2

Working within an interdisciplinary digital arts and sciences (DAS) design and production studio environment, students will focus on network and Internet-based technologies, delivery systems and content generation. Students will participate in the creation of two major collaborative group projects or one major semester-long project.

DIG 3713 Game Content Production I

Provides both theoretical and practical knowledge and essential technical skills for the conceptualization and digital visualization of video game assets. Covers the principles and practical applications of industry-standard software suites. Emphasizes developing strong foundational skills, compelling conceptual ideas, and self-motivated problem solving.

DIG 3873 Game Systems Development I

This course will introduce the fundamental principles of game development and programming language. Students will become familiar with input output, variables, arithmetic operations, if-else conditional statement and their use in game development. Students will also learn about the basic understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) within the industry.

DIG 3097 Entrepreneurship in New Media

Using an interdisciplinary approach, acquire fluency in techniques of idea generation, innovation, internet startups, video games, mobile applications, promotion and branding, company boot strapping, and business plan creation. Focuses on developing creative and business skills applicable to new media startups.

DIG 3588C Digital Portfolio

Provides technical and design skills for the creation of a digital portfolio with interactive media suitable for distribution and a portfolio website. Also covers techniques for using and linking social media, digital branding and personal marketing.

DIG 3433 Digital Storytelling

Develops a framework for integrating participation and storytelling as the foundation of interactivity. Explores how story is incorporated into contemporary interactive platforms such as games and other digital media, including virtual worlds, video blogs and social networks.

DIG 4154 Writing for Interactive Media

Provides in-depth analysis and opportunity to hone writing skills needed in the creation and development of interactive digital media. Students will investigate approaches for generating high-quality writing and the blend between development, planning, technical and creative writing through writing the documents to support a digital media project's development and production.

DIG 4841 Senior Project Research

Senior Project Research focuses on identifying effective pre-production research techniques, as well as goal-setting and problem-solving strategies, and integrating them into a coherent project-management practice. Students will apply their understanding of these principles to formulate an appropriate and successful DAS senior project proposal.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Describe project concepts and explain them effectively to others.
• Identify effective pre-production research techniques.
• Develop and employ creative goal-setting and problem-solving strategies.
• Construct original digital storytelling and concept designs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental tools used for project management.
• Structure and organize a 16-week plan for digital pipelines.

DIG 4970 Senior Project in DAS

Successful completion of this capstone experience demonstrates mastery of requisite knowledge, technical acumen, and problem solving skills in the digital arts and sciences. May be either an individual or team-based project.

DIG 3329 3D Modeling and Texturing

This course covers industry-standard polygon and curve-based modeling tools for creating efficient 3D models and stylistic textures. Additionally, students will master key concepts and become fluent in terminology essential to 3D modeling.

DIG 4306C Advanced Digital Animation Techniques

Practical principles and techniques of 3D software environments for animation. Includes triangular mesh design and editing, splines (NURBS), shading techniques and lighting, different camera projection models, rendering techniques, and efficient use of GPU for photo realistic real-time 3D animation.

DIG 4354 3D Character Animation

This course teaches techniques for 3D character animations. Students will practice character development, pipeline management, procedural framework simulation, and basic rigging alongside studies of motion picture animation. By the end of the course, students will master industry-standard tools to animate basic 3D objects, 3D bipedal motion, and key-framing.

DIG 4361C Advanced 2D Digital Animation Techniques

Develop advanced industry-standard practices in digital 2D animation. Within a collaborative environment, create a 30 second film in order to learn the production pipeline, time management, and task allocation while demonstrating advanced animation techniques.

DIG 3715 Game Content Production II

Elaborates on concepts, processes and technical practices introduced in DIG3713; use game design fundamentals to craft effective digital games. Detailed examination of conceptual techniques in game design and their use in DAS design practice; comparative introduction of frameworks for game design; technical components of 2D and 3D game design.

DIG 3878 Game Systems Development II

This course will cover fundamental principles of game engine programming such as basic collision detection, input detection, instantiate, destroy game object, and others. The student will also learn how to use game engines to develop various applications such as personal computer (PC) and mobile games, augmented/virtual reality projects, and others.

DIG 4527C Game Design and Production

Interdisciplinary approach to game design and production. Emphasizes rapid prototyping, agile design, collaboration, and project management in a relatively short development cycle. Work on idea pitches, write concept proposals, and work to develop a video game.

DIG 4184C Motion Design

Introduces motion graphics fundamentals, design principles, and techniques, including visual rhythm, kinetic typography, multiplanar effects, and established and emerging industry techniques. Also explores the use of motion graphics in live-action video, including but not limited to commercial, broadcast, corporate, training, tradeshow, main title, and social media content.

DIG 4185 Experience Design for Social Engagement

Explore user experience (UX) design and user engagement, and address social challenges (e.g. sustainability, accessibility, minority concerns) in individual and group projects. Identify target user needs, develop solutions, create a prototype application, and undertake user testing by applying UX theories, experience design history, and user-centered design principles.

DIG 4540C Production of Immersive Environments

This course is a project-based class that will cover both the foundational knowledge of immersive technologies such as AR and VR. The course provides hands-on experience developing a fully functioning immersive experience prototype.

DIG 4552 Advanced Design and Production Studio

Course provides students with both conceptual understanding and practical applications of the evolving ecosystem of time-based digital media creation and production tools and techniques. Work incorporates both physical and virtual studio environments.

DIG 4634 Wearable and Mobile App Development

Examines software development protocols for wearable and mobile electronics such as head-mounted displays, watches, and cellphones. Studies several embedded input/output interfaces, including position and orientation sensors, hand trackers, holographic, and stereoscopic displays. Materials are practiced by developing prototype software applications for such devices.

DIG 3691 Blockchain Innovation in Digital Arts and Sciences

Comprehensive survey of relevant topics in blockchain and its impact on digital arts and sciences; provides an overview of the technology behind blockchain and explores current and potential real-world applications in arts, digital entrepreneurship, and creativity.

DIG 4171C Digital Tools for Arts and Humanities

The study of digital applications, games, tools, and social networks to enhance research in the arts and humanities. The course examines and expands on current theoretical discussions, applications, and methodologies. An interdisciplinary group project will further engage students in collaborative research and offer hands-on experience with digital tools.

DIG 4917 Undergraduate Research in DAS

Provides research experience at the intersection of digital arts and sciences. Research assistants work directly with faculty to explore and produce various research in interactive tools and technologies. Accelerate professional development as both a researcher and digital artist.

DIG 4905 Independent Study

Independent study of special or individual DIG projects and issues, under faculty supervision.

DIG 4940 Internship

Internship encourages reflection on position, company, industry, and experience. After completing the assignments, students should be able to articulate the role internship had in their career development.

DIG 4942 Undergraduate Course Assistant

Provides hands-on experience teaching digital arts and sciences at the college level. Under the supervision of a faculty member, lab assistants help prepare and discuss course materials, work with students during office hours, and play a critical role in facilitating learning.

DIG 4944C Production Practicum

Production Practicum will provide DAS students hands-on experience producing and executing real-world digital media projects. Students will participate in many production roles, collaborating with peers and clients in a professional studio environment. In the process, students will accelerate their professional development as a producer within the digital arts and sciences.