Courses in computer studies (designated CMST) may be applied as appropriate (according to individual program requirements) toward
• the general education requirement in computing;
• a major in computer networks and security, digital media and Web technology, or information systems management;
• a minor in digital media and Web technology; and
• electives.
CMST 290 Introduction to Interactive Design (3)
An introduction to the principles, practices, techniques, and the-ories that govern the use of programming languages in the design and development of digital media. Th e objective is to eff ectively use proven programming theory to support digital media design for print, Web, and mobile devices. Topics include the logic of constructing a computer program, the practical aspects of integrating program modules as a unifi ed whole, the use of algo-rithms as an approach to problem solving, and the basic features of object-oriented languages. Projects involve creation of pseudo code and actual code.
CMST 295 Fundamentals of Digital Media (3)
An introduction to the principles, practices, techniques, and theories that govern the design and development of digital media in Web technology, digital design, and motion graphics. Th e goal is to eff ectively follow proven design theory in creating digital media for print, Web, and mobile devices. Topics include usabil-ity, accessibilusabil-ity, ethics, and emerging technologies. Career paths in the digital media industry are analyzed.
CMST 301 Digital Media and Society (3)
A survey of the technological advancements in the fi eld of digital media and their impact. Th e objective is to explain how digital media has transformed the communication of ideas in society and to make responsible choices in the creation and consump-tion 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.
CMST 303 Advanced Application Software (3)
Prerequisite: Extensive experience with offi ce application software, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database programs. A hands-on, project-based survey of advanced features of offi ce application software. Th e aim is to use advanced application features to produce documents for profes-sional and personal communication. Topics include informa-tion systems, applicainforma-tion integrainforma-tion, computer hardware and software, storage, and networking. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 303 or CMST 303.
CMST 306 Introduction to Visual Basic .NET Programming (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 290 or CMIS 102. A hands-on, project-based introduction to developing object-oriented, event-driven Web and desktop applications using the Visual Basic program-ming language in the .NET environment. Th e objective is to successfully write, test, debug, and execute Visual Basic. NET programming code to create visually oriented, event-driven desktop and Web applications. Topics include objects, events, variables, looping, data input/output, form design, sequencing of operation, interface design, and debugging. Discussion also covers specifi cations and requirements, documentation, and determination of performance relative to specifi cation.
CMST 310 Fundamentals of Electronic Publishing (3)
Prerequisite: IFSM 201 or CMST 103. Recommended:
CMST 290 and 295. A hands-on, project-based introduction to the tools, concepts, processes, and methods of electronic (desktop) publishing. Th e aim is to use Adobe InDesign (or another professional electronic publishing software program) to create electronic publications for various media formats follow-ing fundamental design principles. Topics include the history and evolution of publishing, working with color, incorporating graphics, principles and elements of design, publication work-fl ow, emerging technologies, careers in the fi eld, 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.
CMST 311 Advanced Electronic Publishing (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 310. A hands-on, project-based study of the advanced concepts, tools, processes, and methods of electronic (desktop) publishing. Th e 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 fi les. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 311 or CMST 311.
CMST 320 Illustration Graphics (3)
A hands-on, project-based introduction to illustration graphics using Adobe Illustrator. Th e goal is to apply fundamental con-cepts 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, shad-ing, depth, paths, drawing tools, vector vs. raster images, and color theory.
CMST 325 Image Editing (3)
An introduction to digital image editing using Adobe Photo-shop. Th e 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.
CMST 341 Principles of Multimedia I (3)
Recommended: CMST 290 and 295. A hands-on, project-based introduction to multimedia development. Th e 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 Flash.
Topics include storyboarding, Web design, animation, motion-tweening, project management, and ethical design.
INFORMATION ON COURSES
CMST 342 Principles of Multimedia II (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 341. Further hands-on project-based study of multimedia development. Th e objective is to use scripting with Adobe ActionScript to develop products that integrate sound, video, animation, and images for display in multiple media formats using Adobe Flash. Topics include storyboarding, Web design, animation, project management, and ethical design.
CMST 351 Motion Graphics I (3)
Prerequisites: CMST 320 and 325. A hands-on introduction to the basic concepts, techniques, and principles of digital video and motion graphics eff ects using Adobe After Eff ects. Th e objective is to describe digital video compositing techniques;
create digital composites that combine video, text, digital images, and audio; and apply visual special eff ects to create professional results for use on multiple platforms, such as fi lm, video, mul-timedia, and the Web. Topics include techniques such as basic storyboarding, key framing, transformations, and rendering, as well as eff ects (including levels, curves, color correction, blur, glow, fractal noise, keying, masking, and cartoon eff ects).
CMST 385 Principles of Web Design and Technology I (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 290, CMIS 102, IFSM 201, or CMST 103.
Recommended: CMST 295. A study of Web design, tools, and technology principles. Th e goal is to plan and produce a profes-sional Web site. Topics include Internet protocols; usability;
accessibility; and social, ethical, and legal issues related to Web site production. Focus is on Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML) and cascading style sheets (CSS). Stu-dents may receive credit for only one of the following courses:
CAPP 385 or CMST 385.
CMST 386 Principles of Web Design and Technology II (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 385. Continuation of the study of Web design, tools, and technology principles. Th e objective is to create a Web site promotion strategy, with search engine opti-mization, and produce a professional Web site that incorporates multimedia and scripting. Topics include Web site marketing, Web analytics, performance, privacy, and security issues related to Web site 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.
CMST 388 Fundamentals of JavaScript (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 386. A hands-on, project-based study of JavaScript using a structured programming approach to build dynamic, interactive Web pages. Th e 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, documenta-tion, dynamic HTML, event handling, cross-browser compat-ibility, cookies, and security issues. Programming projects are included. Students may receive credit for only one of the follow-ing courses: CMST 398J or CMST 388.
CMST 416 Advanced Visual Basic .NET Programming (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 306. A hands-on, project-based, structured programming approach for building dynamic, interactive Web applications using the Visual Basic .NET application develop-ment environdevelop-ment. Th e aim is to use sophisticated event-driven programming techniques to develop and deploy Web-based programming applications that interface with current database technologies. Emphasis is on programming concepts, tools, methods, and application design and development. Practical opportunities to design and develop complete applications inte-grating multiple features of the Visual Basic .NET programming language are provided.
CMST 425 Advanced Image Editing (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 325. Continued hands-on, project-based study of digital image editing using Adobe Photoshop. Th e 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 practi-cal techniques to create professional images for print, Web, and other electronic media. Discussion also covers ethical and legal issues.
CMST 429 3D Modeling (3)
Prerequisites: CMST 320 and 325. A hands-on, project-based introduction to 3D modeling. Th e aim is to use professional-level software to create and manipulate models in three-dimensional space to render high-defi nition, photo-realistic 3D scenes and images using standard modeling methods. Topics include extru-sion, lathing, sweeping, lofting, lighting, texture, and NURBS (nonuniform rational b-splines).
CMST 449 3D Animation (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 429. A hands-on, project-based introduc-tion to 3D animaintroduc-tion and continued study of 3D modeling concepts. Th e goal is to use professional-level software to create and manipulate models in three-dimensional space along a timeline to render high-defi nition 3D animations suitable for use in interactive applications, the Web, gaming, and other production environments. Emphasis is on applying movement to 3D creations. Discussion covers the fundamental principles of animation. Topics also include key framing, rigging, cycles, and deformers.
CMST 450 Web Development Using XML (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 386. A study of the concepts and techniques essential to Web development. Th e aim is to create, validate, and transform data into multiple formats to create digital and Web-based media. Topics include document creation, validation, transformation, and security principles. Focus is on Extensible Markup Language (XML). Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CAPP 498D or CMST 450.
CMST 451 Motion Graphics II (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 351. Advanced hands-on study of the concepts, techniques, and principles of digital video and motion graphics eff ects using Adobe After Eff ects. Th e aim is to identify requirements for advanced video eff ects, conceptu-alize the end result, plan and storyboard the digital video eff ect, and execute it using advanced tools and techniques following the postproduction process. Discussion covers advanced con-cepts, tools, and techniques used to create professional two- and three-dimensional motion graphics and digital visual eff ects for fi lm, video, multimedia, and the Web. Topics include story-boarding, importing, previewing, layering, adjustments, and ren-dering. Advanced eff ects such as key framing, transformations, 3D techniques, particle eff ects, expressions, and motion tracking are also covered.
CMST 455 Introduction to Digital Video Editing (3)
A hands-on, project-based introduction to nonlinear digital video editing. Th e aim is to use video editing software to create nonlinear digital video products using sound principles, tech-niques, and tools, for delivery across multiple platforms. Topics include planning, storyboarding, adding special eff ects, incorpo-rating sound, and publishing.
CMST 458 Multimedia Programming and Design (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 342. A hands-on, project-based study of multimedia programming and design using Adobe ActionScript and Adobe Flash. Th e objective is to create interactive media, user interfaces, and games through Adobe ActionScript using object-oriented programming that meets requirements and mini-mizes security risks. Topics include animation, 3D modeling, interface design, data source integration, security, and privacy vulnerabilities. Programming projects are included.
CMST 460 Web Application Development Using ColdFusion (3)
(Formerly CMST 498F.) Prerequisite: CMST 388. A structured approach to building and maintaining dynamic and interac-tive Web applications. Th e objective is to plan, design, develop, document, and test professional, dynamic Web applications.
Emphasis is on structured, modular application design and development. Topics include data-driven interactivity, mitigation of security risks, privacy issues, and code frameworks. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: CMST 460 or CMST 498F.
CMST 463 Web Application Development Using PHP/MySQL (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 388. A hands-on, project-based study of Web application development using the PHP scripting language and MySQL databases. Th e goal is to create Web applications that adhere to industry standards and minimize security risks.
Topics include PHP scripting, data-driven interactivity, writ-ing secure PHP programs, privacy issues, and code frameworks.
Programming projects are included.
CMST 486A Workplace Learning in Computer Studies (3)
Prerequisite: 9 credits in the discipline and prior program approval (requirements detailed on pp. 206–7 and online at www.umuc.edu/wkpl). Th e integration of discipline-specifi c knowledge with new experiences in the work environment.
Tasks include completing a series of academic assignments that parallel work experiences.
CMST 486B Workplace Learning in Computer Studies (6)
Prerequisite: 9 credits in the discipline and prior program approval (requirements detailed on pp. 206–7 and online at www.umuc.edu/wkpl). Th e integration of discipline-specifi c knowledge with new experiences in the work environment.
Tasks include completing a series of academic assignments that parallel work experiences.
INFORMATION ON COURSES
CMST 488 Web Application Development Using AJAX (3)
Prerequisite: CMST 388. A hands-on, project-based study of Web application development using AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) techniques. Th e aim is to create cross-browser compatible Web applications that adhere to industry standards and minimize security risks. Topics include AJAX libraries, user interfaces, accessibility, usability, and security.
Programming projects are included.
CMST 495 Current Trends and Projects in Digital Media and Web Technology (3)
(Intended as a fi nal, capstone course to be taken at the end of the student’s program.) Prerequisite: CMST 290 and 295 and 15 credits in the major. An overview of current trends, tech-nologies, theories, and practices in the digital media and Web technology fi elds. Th e aim is to integrate concepts, practical application, and critical thinking acquired through previous study and apply them to professional and postgraduate objec-tives. Analysis covers innovative and emerging issues in digital media, Web technology, motion graphics, or general computing.
Projects use techniques and approaches previously studied; they may focus on digital media design and production for print or online access, Web technologies, or motion graphics.