The Information Technology (IT) degree program was launched in 2005 with a gift from AT&T/SBC. It has two focus areas/tracks: Technologies and Information Systems and Media/Entertainment. By the end of the second year, the IT program had grown to over 110 students, the majority of whom are in the media track. The program has proven attractive to students because of its distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities that greatly exceed what is available at competing institutions. Just as important are the hands-on educational opportunities offered by our program:
Students in the game design and computer animation courses have developed games and or animations using state-of-the-art software and hardware. In the case of the computer animation class, for example, students are trained in the use of Maya, which is the Hollywood industry standard for computer animation and visual effects for films. These products become key components of students' portfolios when interviewing for game and/or film-related jobs.
Students in the Audio-Video I and II classes were given the opportunity to film, edit, and master a DVD documenting the annual Engineering Week celebration. This project proved to be an excellent experience for students because they were forced to work within a strict timeline that required filming during each day, followed by editing each evening, leading to a final DVD product delivered to the Dean for a presentation at the end of the week. (This project also benefited the university in terms of cost saving as the commercial production of such a product could cost as much as $5K or more.)
Students in several courses within the media track of the IT program had the opportunity to work on a full-length film as part of their academic work. This type of experience is typically only available to students at universities in New York and Los Angeles who intern as low-level production assistants on local film productions. Because our film productions over the last two years have been managed in collaboration with the IT program, students have been able to assume much more substantial responsibilities than are possible through traditional film production internships. (The unique educational opportunities provided by our on-campus film productions have received very positive press in major national publications.)
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