DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media

DePaul University's College of Computing and Digital Media (formerly the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems, or "CTI") is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The school is commonly known as CDM. The college is organized into two schools: the School of Computing (SoC), which incorporates programs in computer and information sciences such as computer science, software engineering, security, information systems and IT project management; and the School of Cinema and Interactive Media (CIM), which encompasses digital arts majors including game development, digital cinema, animation and interactive media. The school is part of DePaul University’s Chicago Loop Campus.

CDM awards approximately 40 percent of information technology graduate degrees in the state of Illinois. The school offers 12 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in various IT and media arts fields, as well as seven joint degrees with DePaul’s colleges of Commerce, Law, and Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School for New Learning. Eight of the school’s graduate degree programs are offered online.

History

CDM originated as the Department of Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1981 with Helmut Epp as its founding chairman. That same year, the department moved into 243 S. Wabash Ave., one of three buildings recently purchased by DePaul University and named as part of its Loop Campus.[1] On 1 July 1995, the department was established as a freestanding school within DePaul. [2]

Initial degree offerings for CTI included:

• undergraduate and graduate degree programs in:
  • Computer Science (Which is taught by Jean Philippe Labruyere)
  • Telecommunications and Information Systems
  • Software Engineering
• a Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) offered jointly by CTI and DePaul's College of Commerce[3]

In the 1995-1996 academic year, CTI introduced a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The following year brought the introduction of the Bachelor of Science in HCI, the Master of Science in Distributed Systems, and another joint program – this time a Bachelor of Arts in Computing with DePaul’s School for New Learning[4].

Another new degree program was added in each of the next two academic years. In 1998, the Master of Arts in Applied Technology marked the second joint program with the School for New Learning. The Master of Science in E-Commerce Technology followed in 1999, along with the establishment of CTI’s E-Commerce Research Institute. In the spring quarter of that academic year, CTI introduced the fledgling version of its Course OnLine distance learning software system to support students enrolled in on-campus courses.

Three bachelor's degree programs were added during the 2000-2001 academic year: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics and Animation, and Bachelor of Science in E-Commerce Technology and the Bachelor of Science in Network Technology. That spring, CTI began using Course OnLine, distance learning software developed by the school, to offer distance learning courses and added media arts programs, including the MS in Computer Graphics and Animation in the fall of 2001.

In the Spring of 2002, CTI received permission from its accrediting body to begin offering the Master of Science degrees in Computer Science, Telecommunications and Distributed Systems entirely online. The 2002-2003 school year was relatively uneventful; only one new program, the BS in Mathematics and Computer Science, was added.

The following year saw the introduction of three new master’s degree programs: the Master of Science in Instructional Technology Systems (ITS), the Master of Arts in Information Technology (MAIT), and, most notably, the Master of Science in Computer, Information and Network Security (CINS), which would become one of CTI’s fastest growing programs. Also introduced were two joint programs with the DePaul University College of Law, the JD/MS and the JD/MA, and accelerated BS/MS programs completion plans. The School also received approval from its accrediting body to offer all of its degree programs online using the Course OnLine system. This approval allowed CTI to begin offering six more programs online.

The BS and BA programs in Digital Cinema were also introduced during the 2003-2004 academic year. The Digital Cinema program focuses on combining digital technology along with classic cinema narrative theory and aesthetics. The year also marked the start of a partnership between CTI and the Permanent Missions of the United Nations, through which CTI students would develop the websites of a number of developing countries. CTI’s American Sign Language research project, which combines computer technology and linguistics research to bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing individuals, was named "Most Innovative Solution" from the editors of Speech Technology Magazine.

In the fall of 2004, CTI introduced the BS in Computer Game Design, the Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and re-launched a new MIS degree as the Master of Science in Business Information Technology. In the following spring, CTI completed construction on a Collaboration Lab on the first floor of building.

Two honors were bestowed on CTI during the 2005-2006 school year. DePaul CTI was designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance education by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Agency (NSA). The same year, CTI was one of four institutions selected as inaugural participants in the Sony Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence (IPAX) program.

Two new programs were also added that year: the Master of Science in Computational Finance, a joint program with the College of Commerce, and the Bachelor of Science in Information Assurance and Security.

At the 2006 ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals, students from DePaul CTI placed 29th, earning DePaul a place as one of three U.S. universities in the top 30 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology placed 7th, Princeton University placed 28th).

From CTI to CDM

On April 15 2008 the School of CTI officially changed its name to the College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM). The college is organized into two schools: the School of Computing (SoC) and the School of Cinema & Interactive Media (CIM). This reason given for the change was that it would help to promote the schools and college to prospective students and faculty.

Academics

The school’s original name — Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems — denotes its three prominent degree programs at the time of its founding in 1995. While these programs continue to be prominent, current technology science growth areas also include information and network security. In addition, the school has become a prominent provider of technology arts degrees in such disciplines as cinema, animation, computer game design and development, and computer graphics.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degree programs offered by CDM include:

• Animation (B.S. and B.A.)
• Computer Games Development (B.S.) - concentrations in Game Programming and Game Production & Design
• Computer Graphics and Motion Technology (B.S.)
• Computer Science (B.S.)
• Digital Cinema (B.S. and B.A.) - concentrations available in Screenwriting and Sound Design
• E-Commerce Technology (B.S.)
• Interactive Media (B.S.)
• Information Systems (B.S.)
• Network Technology (B.S.)
• Information Technology (B.S. and B.A.)
• Information Assurance and Security Engineering (B.S.)

Joint undergraduate programs with other DePaul University schools include the BS in Math/Computer Science (with Liberal Arts & Sciences) and the BA in Computing (with the School for New Learning). The School also offers a number of combined BS/MS degrees for undergraduate students wishing to complete a graduate degree immediately after graduating.

Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Science degree programs include:

• Computer Game Development
• Computer Graphics and Motion Technology
• Computer Science
• Computer, Information and Network Security
• Digital Cinema (including a concentration in Animation)
• E-Commerce Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Information Systems
• Information Technology Project Management
• Instructional Technology Systems,
• Software Engineering (with an available concentration in Gaming and Entertainment Technologies)
• Telecommunication Systems.
• Computational Finance

Master of Arts degree programs include:

• Information Technology

Master of Fine Arts degree program:

• Digital Cinema
• Screenwriting
• Animation

(The MFA Screenwriting and MFA Animation are currently the only degrees of this kind offered in the Midwest. More information on applying to the MFA Screenwriting, MFA Digital Cinema, and MFA Animation can be found at www.cim.depaul.edu.)

The school also offers several joint programs at the graduate level, including: the MS in Business Information Technology and MS in Computational Finance (with DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business), the MA in Applied Technology (with the School for New Learning) and the JD/MS and JD/MA degrees (with the School of Law).

CDM also offers a Ph.D. program in Computer Science.

Continuing Education and Certificate programs are offered by the school’s Institute for Professional Development.

Course OnLine

Course OnLine (COL) is CDM's customized technology for the capture and rebroadcast of classroom activity. The system captures five components: audio, video, PC screen, Whiteboard and document camera. After class, the pieces are synchronized and uploaded to COLWeb, a course management system through which instructors may post announcements, assignments, course notes, and various other supplements to the lecture content. While Course OnLine is frequently used by students to take an entire class on the Internet, it also provides a supplement for traditional classroom students, allowing them to replay all of part of any classroom lecture during throughout the term of their enrollment.

External links

• [5]