Word Processing
CMST 100B | 1 Credit
Course Desc: (Not open to students who have completed CMST 303.) An introduction to word processing. The goal is to use word processing applications effectively to produce professional documents for business and personal communication. Topics include creating, formatting, and editing word processing documents. Hands-on practice with industry-standard word-processing software is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 100B, CAPP 103, CMST 100B, or CMST 103.
Presentation Graphics
CMST 100D | 1 Credit
Course Desc: (Not open to students who have completed CMST 303.) An introduction to the principles of presentation graphics. The goal is to use presentation graphics applications effectively to produce electronic presentations for professional and personal communication. Topics include planning and creating effective presentations. Hands-on practice with industry-standard presentation graphics software is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 100D, CAPP 103, CMST 100D, or CMST 103.
Database Applications
CMST 100F | 1 Credit
Course Desc: (Not open to students who have completed CMST 303.) An introduction to database systems, their terminology, and the principles of database management. The goal is to use database management applications effectively to create professional databases. Topics include how best to organize, manage, and access stored data; how to protect databases; and how to extract useful information. Hands-on practice with industry-standard database software is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 100F, CAPP 103, CMST 100F, or CMST 103.
Spreadsheet Applications
CMST 100G | 1 Credit
Course Desc: (Not open to students who have completed CMST 303.) An introduction to the use of electronic spreadsheets to analyze numerical data, including basic terminology, formats, and other applications. The goal is to use spreadsheet applications to produce professional electronic spreadsheets effectively for business and personal use. Hands-on practice with industry standard spreadsheet software is provided. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 100G, CAPP 103, CMST 100G, or CMST 103.
Introduction to Interactive Design
CMST 290 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: An introduction to the principles, practices, techniques, and theories that govern the use of scripting and programming languages in the design and development of interactive digital media. The objective is to effectively use proven scripting and programming theory to support digital media design for print, web, and mobile devices. Projects involve modifying existing scripting languages and HTML code as well as conducting a usability review.
Fundamentals of Digital Design
CMST 295 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: An overview of the principles, practices, techniques, and theories that govern web and digital design. The goal is to effectively follow proven design theory in creating digital design for print, web, and mobile devices. Topics include usability, accessibility, ethics, extended reality, and emerging technologies. Career paths in the web and digital design industry are analyzed.
Digital Media and Society
CMST 301 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A survey of technological advancements in the field of digital media and their impact. The objective is to explain how digital media has transformed the communication of ideas in society and to make responsible choices in the creation and consumption of digital media based on awareness of global, social, ethical, and legal contexts. Topics include social media, the visual display of information, ethics and privacy, participatory media, and the impact of digital media on culture.
Advanced Application Software
CMST 303 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite(s): CMST 100B, CMST 100D, CMST 100F, and CMST 100G or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access or an introductory course in Microsoft Office. A hands-on, project-based survey of advanced features of office application software. The aim is to use advanced application features to produce documents for professional and personal communication. Topics include information systems, application integration, computer hardware and software, storage, and networking. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 303 or CMST 303.
User Experience and Interface Design
CMST 308 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on, project-based introduction to user experience (UX) and interface design (UI). An introduction to design thinking and the basic practices of user experience, interface, and interaction design. Focus is on a user-centric, systematic, data-driven design process that includes research, concept generation, prototyping, and refinement. The goal is to evaluate user interfaces and create a working prototype using industry-standard techniques guided by usability data. Topics include human-computer interaction, user research, and career paths, as well as measuring and evaluating interface quality, wireframing, prototyping, designing virtual experiences, and storyboarding.
Fundamentals of Electronic Publishing
CMST 310 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on, project-based introduction to the tools, concepts, processes, and methods of electronic (desktop) publishing. The aim is to use Adobe InDesign (or another professional electronic publishing software program) to create electronic publications for various media formats following fundamental design principles. Topics include the history and evolution of publishing, working with color, incorporating graphics, principles and elements of design, publication workflow, emerging technologies, careers in the field, ethical and legal considerations, and collaborative design. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 310, CAPP 398B, or CMST 310.
Advanced Electronic Publishing
CMST 311 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 310. A hands-on, project-based study of the advanced concepts, tools, processes, and methods of electronic (desktop) publishing. The goal is to use Adobe InDesign to create engaging electronic publications following fundamental design principles for print, online, and mobile devices. Topics include motion and interactivity, PDF (portable document format) publishing, emerging technologies, design issues related to mobile devices, ethical and legal considerations, collaborative work, and print and web-ready Adobe Flash files. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 311 or CMST 311.
Game Design I
CMST 315 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on, project-based introduction to 3D video game design and programming fundamentals. The aim is to use an industry-standard 3D game engine to create a game from concept to final product. Topics include 3D game engines, 3D game design, gameplay mechanics, sound effects, C# programming, project management, 3D physics and user interface design.
Illustration Graphics
CMST 320 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on, project-based introduction to illustration graphics using Adobe Illustrator. The goal is to apply fundamental concepts of vector image composition to create professional digital media for delivery across multiple platforms, including print, web, and video, following ethical principles and legal guidelines. Topics include terminology, tools, theory, and processes from concept to completion. Discussion covers Bezier curves, shading, depth, paths, drawing tools, vector versus raster images, and color theory.
Image Editing
CMST 325 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: An introduction to digital image editing using Adobe Photoshop. The aim is to identify established digital image editing tools, techniques, and best practices; create new images; and edit existing images. Topics include terminology, tools, theory, and processes from concept to completion. Discussion covers fundamental concepts and practical techniques, as well as ethical and legal issues. Emphasis is on applying these concepts and techniques to produce high-quality digital works for multiple platforms, including print, web, and other electronic media.
Virtual Reality Design I
CMST 330 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 315. A hands-on, project-based introduction to the theories, best practices, aesthetics, techniques, and workflows used to create immersive virtual reality. The goal is to develop, test, and deploy virtual reality experiences following design theory and industry standard best practices. Topics include human perception, 3D modeling, game design, design considerations, limitations, storytelling, mobile app development, and 360-degree video.
Augmented Reality Design I
CMST 331 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 315. A hands-on, project-based introduction to the theories, best practices, aesthetics, techniques, and workflows used to create immersive augmented reality (AR). The goal is to develop, test, and deploy augmented reality experiences following design theory and industry-standard best practices. Topics include human-computer interaction and user experience, design principles, 3D modeling, game design, storytelling, and AR application development.
Principles of Multimedia I
CMST 341 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on, project-based introduction to multimedia development. The aim is to create interactive products that integrate images, sound, video, and animation following sound media design principles for optimal display in multiple media formats using Adobe Animate. Topics include storyboarding, web design, animation, motion-tweening, project management, and ethical design.
Motion Graphics I
CMST 351 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on introduction to the basic concepts, techniques, and principles of digital video and motion graphics effects using Adobe After Effects. The objective is to describe digital video compositing techniques; create digital composites that combine video, text, digital images, and audio; and apply visual special effects to create professional results for use on multiple platforms, such as film, video, multimedia, and the web. Topics include techniques such as basic storyboarding, key framing, transformations, and rendering, as well as effects (including levels, curves, color correction, blur, glow, fractal noise, keying, masking, and cartoon effects).
Content Management Systems
CMST 355 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A hands-on, project-based introduction to website development using content management systems (CMS). The goal is to use CMSs to quickly create engaging, interactive, and dynamic websites following industry-standard best practices. Topics include content publishing workflows, cross-browser compatibility, security and privacy vulnerabilities, plug-ins, themes, and templates.
Principles of Web Design and Technology I
CMST 385 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: A study of web design, tools, and technology principles. The goal is to plan and produce a professional website. Topics include internet protocols; usability; accessibility; and social, ethical, and legal issues related to website production. Focus is on HyperText Markup Language version 5 (HTML5) and cascading style sheets (CSS). Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 385 or CMST 385.
Principles of Web Design and Technology II
CMST 386 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 385. Continuation of the study of web design, tools, and technology principles. The objective is to create a website promotion strategy, with search engine optimization, and produce a professional website that incorporates multimedia and scripting. Topics include website marketing, web analytics, performance, privacy, and security issues related to website production. Focus is on Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 386 or CMST 386.
Principles of Web Design and Technology III
CMST 387 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 386. A comprehensive, project-focused exploration of the techniques, tools, workflows, and industry best practices used in advanced web development. The goal is to create professional websites. Topics include web security, accessibility, inclusive design, and web performance optimization.
Fundamentals of JavaScript
CMST 388 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 385. A hands-on, project-based study of JavaScript using a structured programming approach to build dynamic, interactive web pages. The goal is to use client-side JavaScript to create interactive, cross-browser-compatible web pages that minimize security and privacy vulnerabilities. Topics include form validation, web development tools, documentation, dynamic HTML, event handling, cross-browser compatibility, cookies, and security issues. Programming projects are included. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CMST 388 or CMST 398J.
3D Modeling
CMST 390 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: (Formerly CMST 429.) A hands-on, project-based introduction to the fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques used in 3D modeling. The aim is to use industry-standard software to design and manipulate models in three-dimensional space and to create 3D assets for virtual and augmented reality, games, animation, architecture, cinematics, and 3D printing. Topics include texturing, lighting, animation, rendering, sculpting, 3D printing, extended reality design, and career paths. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CMST 390 or CMST 429.
Advanced Image Editing
CMST 425 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 325. Continued hands-on, project-based study of digital image editing using Adobe Photoshop. The objective is to identify and apply advanced design concepts, adjustments, and batch-processing techniques to creating new images and editing existing ones. Topics include more advanced terminology, tools, considerations, and processes from concept to completion. Emphasis is on advanced concepts and practical techniques to create professional images for print, web, and other electronic media. Discussion also covers ethical and legal issues.
Workplace Learning in Web and Digital Design
CMST 486A | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisites: 9 credits in the discipline and prior program approval (requirements detailed online at www.umgc.edu/wkpl). The integration of discipline-specific knowledge with new experiences in the work environment. Tasks include completing a series of academic assignments that parallel work experiences.
Workplace Learning in Web and Digital Design
CMST 486B | 6 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisites: 9 credits in the discipline and prior program approval (requirements detailed online at www.umgc.edu/wkpl). The integration of discipline-specific knowledge with new experiences in the work environment. Tasks include completing a series of academic assignments that parallel work experiences.
Advanced JavaScript
CMST 488 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 388. A hands-on, project-based study of web application development using advanced JavaScript technologies. The aim is to create cross-browser-compatible web applications that adhere to industry standards and minimize security risks. Topics include JavaScript libraries, user interfaces, accessibility, usability, and security. Web development projects using advanced JavaScript are included.
Virtual World-Building
CMST 490 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: CMST 315. A comprehensive, project-focused exploration of the techniques, tools, workflows, and industry best practices used in virtual reality (VR) metaverse world building. The goal is to create immersive and engaging virtual spaces and environments. Topics include 3D modeling, user interaction design and experience, aesthetics, narrative crafting, spatial audio effects, lighting, accessibility, and performance optimization.
Web and Digital Design Capstone
CMST 495 | 3 Credits
Course Desc: Prerequisite: 24 credits of major coursework. An overview of current trends, technologies, theories, and practices in the web and digital design fields. The aim is to integrate concepts, practical application, and critical thinking acquired through previous study and apply them to professional and postgraduate objectives. Analysis covers innovative and emerging issues in web and digital design. Assignments include industry analysis, resume design, and portfolio creation.