Immersive Media Design B.A.

Students in this program will learn how to design, develop and produce various forms of immersive media–ranging from tactile and audio platforms to virtual reality and augmented reality. They will build immersive media projects individually and in teams, tailored to their talents and career interests. Students will choose one of two tracks–Innovative Coders or Emerging Creatives–to focus on either the technical or artistic side of immersive media.

The major formally starts fall 2021. Those interested in joining the major when it starts should consider taking the required introductory courses IMDM127 and IMDM150 this year. If you have questions about these courses, or the major, please direct those to imd@umd.edu.

The core of the major is a four-year sequence of IMDM courses culminating in a year-long senior capstone project. All students in both tracks take this sequence. In the first year, all students learn about immersive media, including its theory and practice, and start building their first immersive media works. During the fall semesters of the second and third years, students develop technical and artistic skills, then build on those skills in the spring semesters by constructing a collaborative group project. In the fourth year, students plan and carry out a significant immersive media work of their own design.

Students wishing to major in IMDM should start with IMDM101 and IMMD150, and also start the related coursework in the track that best fits their personal interests, talents and background.

Note that all courses are identified by a four-letter code: IMDM, CMSC, or ARTT. For more information on eligibility and the application process, see the apply tab.

Year 1

• IMDM101 Introduction to Immersive Media (fall)
• IMDM150 Introduction to Digital Theory and Culture (spring)

Year 2

• IMDM227 Introduction to Computational Media (fall)
• IMDM290 Collaborative Studio I, AI Image + Time (spring)

Year 3

• IMDM327 Augmented and Virtual Reality, for Innovative Coders (fall)
• IMDMD350 Advanced Digital Media Theory, for Emerging Creatives (fall)
• IMDM390 Collaborative Studio II, Experiential Computing (spring)

Year 4

• IMDM490 Capstone I (fall)
• IMDM491 Capstone II (spring)

In this track, more artistically inclined students complete a Bachelor of Arts degree through the College of Arts and Humanities. The Emerging Creatives track requires the core sequence of IMDM courses, seven courses in studio art, and two computing courses, in addition to general education campus requirements. The first year requirements overlap with the studio art major, so students can decide after 30 credits whether to major in IMDM or ARTT.

• Required Courses
• Four-year Academic Plan

The Computing track is for the more technically inclined, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. The track requires the core sequence of IMDM courses, eight courses in computer science, and four courses in ARTT, in addition to general education campus requirements. The first year of requirements overlap with the computer science major, so students can decide after 30 credits whether to major in IMDM or CMSC.

• Required Courses
• Four-year Academic Plan

Immersive Media Design is a limited enrollment program at the university. Prospective students interested in immersive media design should indicate this when completing their online application for admission. However, your preferred major does not affect your admissibility to the university. Admitted students who selected an LEP as their major are reviewed by the specific program to determine admission to that major.

Freshmen who were accepted to a University of Maryland limited enrollment program must complete a series of courses, or gateways, and earn a minimum grade point average in order to remain in the major. Additionally, students must successfully pass a portfolio review at 45 credit hours.

Students not directly admitted to the program should visit lep.umd.edu for more information on how to apply to the major.

Contact

Students interested in Immersive Media Design should contact the program via email at imd@umd.edu.

Go here to learn how to apply to the University of Maryland

Matthias Zwicker, Lead Faculty; Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Computer Science

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A computer visualization expert who develops high-quality rendering and signal processing techniques that are used for computer graphics, data-driven modeling and animation.

Roger Eastman, IMD Director; Professor of the Practice in Computer Science

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A computer scientist whose research focuses on AI and robotics, computer vision and machine perception, and graphic visualization with VR and AR.

Evan Golub, Principal Lecturer of Computer Science

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A senior lecturer and researcher whose interests lie in human-computer interaction, intergenerational design teams and educational technology.

Huaishu Peng, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

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A human-computer interaction expert who designs hardware and software systems to enable interactive 3-D modeling.

Amitabh Varshney, Professor of Computer Science and CMNS Dean

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A leading researcher in developing virtual and augmented reality applications used for emergency medicine, education and training, and the visual and performing arts.