NEW

NEW

PROGRAM PROPOSAL

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY

Submission Date: October 10^th 2009

College: Arts & Humanities

Department: Visual Arts

Program Title: Design for Digital Media Minor

1. Complete Program Description

This minor program is designed to develop a basic competency in design and visual problem solving for computer science majors who will work in the fields of web design or game design. While primarily designed for CS majors who will work in a team environment with visual design professionals, it also will prepare the CS major to work independently on smaller design projects.

2. Purpose of Degree

Computer science majors are trained to write code for complex web sites and games; however, they receive little background in designing for visual media. Since most professional visual interface (front-end) design is created by those with backgrounds in art and design, and since most back-end web design is handled by programmers, this minor will provide the programmer with enough understanding and experience with imagery and visual organization to work more effectively with graphic interface designers or work independently as a designer on smaller projects. It will also help to prepare game programmers to effectively coordinate efforts with the illustrators rendering characters in their environments.

3. Institutional Readiness

The courses necessary for the minor are in place and have been taught for several years.

4. Faculty

This minor will require no additional faculty.

5. Staff

This minor will require no additional staff.

6. Library and Information Resources

This program is comprised of courses that Visual Arts is currently offering. No new library resources will be necessary.

7. Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements specific to this minor.

8. Student Advisement

Students will receive advisement from the departmental staff (Lydia Gravis), and / or the department chair (Jim Jacobs).

9. Justification for Graduation Standards and Number of Credits

The minor consists of 24 credit hours. This is consistent with other Visual Arts minors.

10. External Review and Accreditation

The minor will be reviewed by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The minor was designed by the chairs of Computer Science and Visual Arts along with faculty from these departments.

11. Projected Enrollment

Year	Student Headcount	# of Faculty	Student-to-Faculty Ratio	Accreditation Req’d Ratio
1	19	11	1.7:1	N/A
2	21	11	1.9:1	N/A
3	23	11	2:1	N/A
4	25	11	2.3:1	N/A
5	27	11	2.5:1	N/A

12. Expansion of Existing Program

13. Program Need

Both the Department of Visual Arts and the Computer Science Department noticed that a number of students who wanted to pursue careers as a web developers or a web designers were pursuing a BIS degree with one part of the degree consisting of essentially a minor in CS, one component consisting of a minor in Art, and a third component consisting of specific software training. Instead of producing a student that was strong in both programming and design, we were producing students that—with 18 hours of CS and 18 hours of design—were unable to compete against either our Visual Communication majors (with 72 hours of art and design) or our Computer Science majors (with 48 hours of computer science). Reflecting industry demands and to better serve the interests of our students, Computer Science and Visual Arts decided it would be best to encourage students to major in either Visual Arts or Computer Science. This minor helps support the career interests of CS majors that will be programming in areas that integrate visual media, such as web design and games.

14. Labor Market Demand

Include local, state, and national data, and job placement information, the types of jobs graduates have obtained from similar programs. Indicate future impact on the program should market demand change.

Since there is not information available specific to an art minor for computer science, market information is listed for both graphic designers and computer programmers.

Definition of a designer and the typical educational background.

Graphic designers—or graphic artists—plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They find the most effective way to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. A bachelor’s degree is required for most entry-level and advanced graphic design positions; although some entry-level technical positions may only require an associate degree. Bachelor’s degree programs in fine arts or graphic design are offered at many colleges, universities, and private design schools. Most curriculums include studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and Web site design.

Employment change. Employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 10 percent, about as fast as average for all occupations from 2006 to 2017, as demand for graphic design continues to increase from advertisers, publishers, and computer design firms. Some of this increase is expected to stem from the expansion of the video entertainment market, including television, movies, video, and made-for-Internet outlets.

Moreover, graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience will especially be needed as demand increases for design projects for interactive media—Web sites, video games, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and other technology. Demand for graphic designers also will increase as advertising firms create print and Web marketing and promotional materials for a growing number of products and services.

In recent years, some computer, printing, and publishing firms have outsourced basic layout and design work to design firms overseas. This trend is expected to continue and may have a negative impact on employment growth for low-level, technical graphic design workers. However, most high-level graphic design jobs will remain in the U.S. Strategic design, the work of developing communication strategies for clients and firms to help them to gain competitive advantages in the market, requires close proximity to the consumer in order to identify and target their needs and interests.

Job prospects. Graphic designers are expected to face keen competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as graphic designers. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree and knowledge of computer design software, particularly those with Web site design and animation experience will have the best opportunities.

--from The Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm

Definition of a programmer

Computer programmers often are grouped into two broad types—applications programmers and systems programmers. Applications programmers write programs to handle a specific job, such as a program to track inventory within an organization. They also may revise existing packaged software or customize generic applications purchased from vendors. Systems programmers, in contrast, write programs to maintain and control computer systems software for operating systems, networked systems, and database systems. These workers make changes in the instructions that determine how the network, workstations, and central processing unit of a system handle the various jobs they have been given, and how they communicate with peripheral equipment such as terminals, printers, and disk drives. Because of their knowledge of the entire computer system, systems programmers often help applications programmers determine the source of problems that may occur with their programs.

Employment change. Employment of computer programmers is expected to decline slowly, decreasing by 4 percent from 2006 to 2017. The consolidation and centralization of systems and applications, developments in packaged software, advances in programming languages and tools, and the growing ability of users to design, write, and implement more of their own programs mean that more programming functions can be performed by other types of information workers, such as computer software engineers.

Another factor contributing to employment decline will be the offshore outsourcing of programming jobs. Because they can transmit their programs digitally, computer programmers can perform their job function from anywhere in the world, allowing companies to employ workers in countries that have lower prevailing wages. Computer programmers are at a much higher risk of having their jobs outsourced abroad than are workers involved in more complex and sophisticated information technology functions, such as software engineering. Much of the work of computer programmers requires little localized or specialized knowledge and can be made routine once knowledge of a particular programming language is mastered—and computer programming languages have become known internationally.

Nevertheless, employers will continue to need some local programmers, especially those who have strong technical skills and who understand an employer’s business and its programming requirements. This means that programmers will have to keep abreast of changing programming languages and techniques. Given the importance of networking and the expansion of client/server, Web-based, and wireless environments, organizations will look for programmers who can support data communications and help implement business and intranet strategies. Demand for programmers with strong object-oriented programming capabilities and technical specialization in areas such as client/server programming, wireless applications, multimedia technology, and graphic user interface likely will stem from the expansion of intranets, extranets, and Internet applications. Programmers also will be needed to create and maintain expert systems and embed these technologies in more products. Finally, a growing emphasis on cybersecurity will lead to increased demand for programmers who are familiar with digital security issues, and are skilled in using appropriate security technology.

Job prospects. Although employment is projected to decline, numerous job openings will result from the need to replace programmers who leave the labor force or transfer to other occupations. Prospects for these openings should be best for applicants with a bachelor’s degree and experience with a variety of programming languages and tools. The languages that are in demand today include C++, Java, and other object-oriented languages, as well as newer, domain-specific languages that apply to computer networking, database management, and Internet application development. As technology evolves, however, and newer, more sophisticated tools emerge, programmers will need to update their skills in order to remain competitive. Obtaining vendor-specific or language-specific certification also can provide a competitive edge.

--from The Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm

15. Student Demand

Web programming and game design represent interesting careers with the promise of employability. Currently, there are 280 BS majors (and 259 AAS majors) in Computer Science. These majors choose minors which may represent personal interests but aren’t necessarily supportive of career interests. For reasons stated above, there will be sufficient demand for the Visual Arts option to warrant the development of this minor.

16. Similar Programs

There appear to be no institutions in the state offering an art minor tailored specifically for computer science majors.

17. Collaboration with and Impact on Other USHE Institutions

No other institutions are currently offering an art minor for CS majors.

18. Benefits

This minor will benefit the University by helping CS majors prepare to work in the higher demand areas of web programming and game design.

19. Consistency with Institutional Mission

This minor follows WSU’s mission to offers associate, baccalaureate and master degree programs in a broad variety of liberal arts, sciences, technical and professional fields. It enhances an existing major.

20. Program Assessment

Students must earn no less than a C in all of the courses for the minor. Since the goal is to develop a higher level of visual literacy than would exist in a computer science major with a minimal art background, the faculty in DOVA and professionals in web design and game design will examine portfolios of projects developed by CS majors in the upper-division courses of this minor first for basic competency and then in contrast with visual products produced by CS majors without this minor, for the impact of the minor.

21. Expected Standards of Performance

Successful students on both tracks will develop competencies in basic two-dimensional design, drawing, and color theory. Successful students on the web track will develop basic competencies in typography, page design, interactive media, and video. In the game development track students will develop basic competencies in illustration These areas were chosen because these are essential skills for web design. The information in these courses will be delivered via lecture and studio demonstrations. Work developed in the courses will be routinely critiqued and assessed by the professor and other students. Students will also be tested on their knowledge of terminology and processes.

Program Curriculum

22. All Program Courses

List all courses, including new courses, to be offered in the proposed program by prefix, number, title, and credit hours.

Course Prefix & Number	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses
Art 1110	Drawing I	3
Art 1120	Design: 2D	3
Art 1140	Color Theory	3
Art 3420B	Vector Drawing	1
Art 3420C	Digital Page Composition	1
Art 3420D	Design for the Internet	1
	Sub-Total	12
Web Design Track
Art 3430	Typography and Publication Design	3
Art 3440	Visual Communication	3
Art 4440	Interactive Media	3
Art 4420	Advanced Digital Media (video)	3
	Sub-Total	12
Gaming Track
Art 3460	Illustration	3
Art 3440	Visual Communication	3
Art 4440	Interactive Media	3
Art 4420	Advanced Digital Media (animation)	3
	Sub-Total	12
	Total Number of Credits (either track)	24

23. New Courses to be Added in the Next Five Years

None planned at this time.

INFORMATION PAGE

Did this program proposal receive unanimous approval within the Department? _Y _ If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

Explain how this program will differ from similar offerings by other departments. Also explain any effects this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other departments including the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Program. In the case of similar offerings or affected programs, you should include letters from the departments in question stating their support or opposition to the proposed program.

There are no other departments offering an art minor tailored specifically for computer science majors.

A letter from the chair of Computer Science is below.

We absolutely and whole heartedly support the proposed Art Minor for web development. Industry has been clamoring for these skills and our students are very excited to pursue this avenue.
The skills offered in the minor are exactly the gaps of knowledge in our CS Software Engineering or Customized tracks for students wanting to be web developers.

Great job!

Greg Anderson

Chair

Computer Science

Weber State University

A Master’s Degree program must have a minimum of 30 credit hours with a maximum of 36 credit hours.

A Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Integrated Studies must have a minimum of 120 credit hours with a program maximum of 126 hours (This is a state system-wide requirement). Exceptions for the maximum number of program hours are allowed if accreditation issues require a set number of courses within a given program, i.e. Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Radiology.

An Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science must have a minimum of 60 credit hours with a program maximum of 63 credit hours. An Associate of Applied Science must have a minimum of 63 credit hours with a program maximum of 69 credit hours.

Major programs that require a minor will consist of not fewer than 30 credits and not more than 48 credits in the major field. Major programs that do not require a minor shall consist of not more than 63 credits in the major field.

A minor is a program of study generally selected to complement and strengthen a student’s major and/or enrich the student’s overall educational program. A minor consists of not fewer than 15 credits. Courses that are used to satisfy the general education requirements can be used as part of the minimum number of hours needed for the minor requirements, unless prohibited by a particular college or department.

Indicate the number of credit hours for course work within the proposed program. (Do not include credit hours for General Education, SI, Diversity, or other courses unless those courses fulfill requirements within the proposed program.) 24

Submit the original to the Faculty Senate Office, MC 1033, and an electronic copy to kbrown4@weber.edu