College Catalog

The interactive media field has many areas of specialization. Career options range from design and production of media components to interactive web programming. The specialty niches include visual design, animation, interactive design, publishing, special effects, writing for new media, and user interface design. These careers require a combination of skills in visual design and proficiency with technology.

Career Opportunities

Due to the fluid, dynamic nature of this sector, as well as the high pace of technological change, job titles and roles tend to be less fixed in the interactive media sector than in other sectors. However, media experts and trade associations expect the interactive media sector or discipline to expand rapidly just as the Internet has. There are various areas of work in the interactive media industry. The interactive media workforce is generally highly skilled and required to develop the following interactive products: websites on both intranets and extranets; multimedia on CD-ROMs, DVDs, and kiosks; computer games; interactive elements to accompany linear television programs ('enhanced TV'); fully interactive television programs; interactive elements for video DVDs; interactive elements for use within websites; interactive content for mobile devices; writing for digital audiences; and social networking.

Recommended High School Subjects

Students should have completed course work in the visual arts and math (three years) during high school. Additionally, students should have a solid background in written and oral communications and have taken a course in computer technology.

Special Equipment Needs

Students must purchase a laptop computer (preferably a Macintosh). Other related equipment and software may be required.

Remediation Strategies

All entering students are tested for English, math, and reading deficiencies. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies as explained in this catalog (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/PlacementTesting.htm ).

Transfer Procedures

This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits.htm ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• design a prototype of an interactive media project.
• present to an audience an example of a professional-level interactive product.
• evaluate the available technological alternatives to solve a problem where an interactive solution is being considered.
• synthesize current technology developments into multimedia projects that engage the targeted audience.
• apply principles of user interface design to interactive projects.
• manage multidisciplinary projects that involve collaboration.
  
  
  
  

Performance Standards

Students must maintain a 'C' or greater in all BIM/BWM courses. The Web and Interactive Media major uses an A, B, C, and F grading scale in all BIM/BWM courses.  Students should work closely with their advisers and with the program faculty to ensure that they are meeting all criteria for satisfactory progress in the program.

Curriculum

Accreditation

Students will be able to sit for the Certified Internet Web (CIW) Professional Associate Design Specialist Certification exam. The certification exam consists of two parts. 

The following courses map to these certification exams: 

• CIW Site Development Foundations Module CIW Exam 1D0-510B:  CSC 124 and BWM 150
• CIW Site Designer CIW Exam 1D0-520:  BWM 252 and BWM 254