/Institutions/Wilmington-University/json/2015-2016/Undergraduate-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Wilmington-University/json/2015-2016/Undergraduate-Catalog.json

College of Technology

Overview

Programs in the College of Technology have been developed for those students wishing to work in information technology fields, cyber security, video and motion graphics, and multimedia design. Design-related careers include, among others, the areas of Game Design and Development, 3-D animation, marketing, photography and graphic design. Video and Motion Graphics careers encompass film, television programming, video games and a host of other entertainment mediums. Information technology networks now reflect a global presence throughout all of the nation’s IT enterprise systems as people are now connected to a network whether at work or home through any of the many types of end user devices. Information Technology related careers include Project Leader/Manager, Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Database Specialist, E-commerce Analyst, Network Specialist, Cyber Security Specialist, Information Security Analyst, and Information Assurance and Computer Forensics Specialist, among many others. The United States Department of Labor statistics reports a demand for Information Technology professionals across all industry segments with an emphasis on cyber security. Wilmington University’s College of Technology programs include courses that are taught using an appropriate balance of theory and practice in state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and studios.

Philosophy

The mission of the College of Technology is to prepare students in the conceptual and practical aspects of information technologies, media design and video/motion graphics. Students will learn creative, technical and managerial perspectives to aid them in becoming competent practitioners and leaders in their chosen field. Each student will also be versed in leadership and stewardship responsibilities as they assume those roles in society. Toward those ends, the faculty is committed to providing an academically challenging and an aesthetically pleasing environment that will foster the development of creative and innovative projects to meet the challenges of a constantly changing profession.

Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society/Delta Lambda Chapter

Epsilon Pi Tau is an international honor society that encourages academic excellence of students in fields devoted to the general study of technology and the preparation of practitioners for the technology professions. It recognizes and provides services to students in degree and certificate programs in accredited higher education institutions offering associate through doctoral degree programs.

The honor society provides recognition of individuals for achievement and leadership, and is a medium for professional development. Membership in Epsilon Pi Tau is open to technology students and professionals with careers in technology. Students are considered for membership in this International Honorary Society because of their academic excellence. Only those individuals who have shown scholastic success are considered.

Certification

Wilmington University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity through academic year 2021 by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

This nationally recognized designation certifies that Wilmington University’s Computer and Network Security and Information Assurance curricula, faculty, outreach and academic activities meet the rigorous standards established by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the National Centers of Academic Excellence designation program is to promote higher education in Information Assurance (IA) and Cyber Defense (CD) and prepare a growing number of IA/CD professionals to meet the need to reduce vulnerabilities in the Nation’s networks.

Students in the Computer and Network Security Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Apply the ethical principles required of computer professionals;
• Demonstrate technical knowledge in Information Assurance necessary to prepare for an entry level position in the Computer and Network Security field;
• Analyze requirements for Information Security projects using best practices and current methodologies;
• Employ the process used to analyze, design, implement, test and deliver Information Assurance projects;
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices used to manage Computer and Network Security projects; and
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid.

Students in the Game Design and Development Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Apply the ethical principles required of computer professionals;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetics of design and its importance in the world of communications and technology;
• Demonstrate personal skills in self-management and problem solving;
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid;
• Demonstrate technical knowledge in Game Development necessary to prepare for an entry-level position in the field;
• Analyze requirements for current trends in game development projects using the best practices and current methodologies (systems analysis); and
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices used in Game Development.

Students in the Information Systems Management Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Apply the ethical principles required of computer professionals;
• Demonstrate technical knowledge in Information Technology necessary to prepare for an entry level position in the field;
• Analyze requirements for Information Technology systems using the best practices and current methodologies;
• Employ the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process used to analyze, design, implement, test and deliver Information Technology projects;
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices used to manage Information Technology projects; and
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription to services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid.

Students in the Media Design Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Practice professional and ethical behavior required of Media Design professionals;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetics of design and its importance in the world of communications and technology;
• Demonstrate personal skills in self-management and problem solving;
• Prepare for a position in field through development of a professional portfolio of work; and
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid.

Students in the Video and Motion Graphics Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Demonstrate the core skill set of video and film style production techniques;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the pipeline and workflow of Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the process of creating programming from script to screen;
• Utilize the right tools and techniques for any kind of production;
• Develop a higher level core set of skills within Video and Motion Graphics through the production of a demo reel;
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices for their respective areas of industry;
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid;
• Practice professional and ethical behavior;
• Demonstrate personal skills in self-management and problem solving; and
• Participate in on the job preparation for a professional position in his/her chosen career field.

Students in the Software Design and Development Program (B.S.) will be able to:

• Apply the ethical principles required of computer professionals;
• Demonstrate knowledge in technologies of software development necessary to prepare for an entry level position in the field;
• Analyze requirements for software applications using best practices and current methodologies;
• Practice the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process used to analyze, design, implement, test and deliver software applications;
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices used to manage software development projects (software project management); and
• Practice the use and employ the benefit of library resources, including subscription to services and other sources generally accepted as legitimate and valid.

General Purpose

The College of Technology programs are designed to address a wide range of career needs surrounding the informational systems field, in multimedia design and in the video and motion graphics industries. The diversity of activities and occupations within these professions establishes the foundation for formal training. Rapidly changing technology requires curriculum that is concurrent with industry. While preparing students to become competent, competitive, adaptive and able to work well in teams, our programs include the latest tools and concepts. The importance of these personal design and communication skills and of the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with emerging technologies and information resources is reflected in the various programs through emphasis on “core skills”, all of which are fully integrated into practical, hands-on assignments.

The Program of Study

All programs within the College of Technology observe a rigorous academic regimen involving core areas of study. The Information Systems Management (ISM) degree reflects contemporary industry skill requirements, including data warehousing, business process management, and business intelligence. It also includes an introduction to IT policy and strategy with tasks interwoven within the program to enhance interpersonal communication skills. The ISM degree consists of 33 core credit hours in the management of technology plus 18 credit hours of free electives. Additionally, it includes a Business and Management Core of 24 credit hours, 6 credit hours of Technical Support, and a General Education Requirements of 39 credit hours to provide a well-rounded academic program.

The Software Design and Development degree includes 39 credits that concentrate on software development, user-centered design, object oriented methodologies, database design, and the most current systems analysis and software project management techniques. In addition to the technical courses, the SDD degree also includes a 24 credit hour business and management core to build strong communications skills and a sound understanding of current business practices. A General Education core of 39 credits, plus 6 technical support credits and 12 credits of free electives, helps provide the student with the broad education needed to compete for jobs in today’s global marketplace.

The Computer and Network Security degree concentrates on 45 core credits focusing on security and information assurance, including 3 credit hours of related electives, and is buttressed by a support core of 21 credits. Coupled with 39 credits of General Education and 15 credits of free electives, students have the ability to tailor the degree toward specific career interests within the profession.

The Game Design and Development degree consists of 57 core credits focusing on game design and programming, with an additional 6 credit hours of related electives, as well as a Media Design support core of 18 credit hours, and a General Education requirements of 39 credit hours to provide a well-rounded academic program.

The design-oriented programs of study use the Associate of Media Art, Design and Technology degree as their core for the freshman and sophomore years. The associate degree is comprised of a General Education requirement of 12 courses (36 credit hours) and a Media Design and Technology core of eight courses (24 credit hours).

Each four-year degree program involving a design-emphasis continues with one more General Education course (3 credit hours) plus a design core and specialized career concentrations. The Media Design degree includes a Media Design core of 15 courses (45 credit hours) and offers career concentrations in Multimedia, Photography and Digital Publishing consisting of 12 courses (36 credit hours). The Video and Motion Graphics degree involves a Video and Motion Graphics core of 15 courses (45 credit hours) and a choice of career concentrations in 3D and Motion Graphics, Digital Film-Making, or Visual Effects each consisting of 12 courses (36 credit hours).

The General Education requirements provide a foundation in English, the fine arts, and the social sciences. The Media Design and Video and Motion Graphics cores explore those areas of technology and design that integrate within the media communications field. Finally, the career concentrations provide a focused concentration in the student’s major field of study.