Multimedia Technology and Design – (B.Sc.)

Contents

You will use the latest technology housed in purpose-built teaching laboratories. At Levels 1 and 2, practical creative studios play a central role in consolidating your understanding of taught material, and development of your design and creative skills.

We adopt a wide variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods, many of which are laboratory-based and utilise multimedia technologies, such as websites, CD-ROMs, DVD and video.

Typical Modules

Level 1

* Multimedia Design
* Multimedia Studios
* Systems and Computing
* Internet Technologies and Website Design

Level 2

* Video and Sound
* Imaging
* Communication
* Design Practice
* Web Applications
* Interaction

Level 3

* Major Project (core)
* Multimedia Production Management (core)
* Digital Sound and Music Production
* Educational Multimedia Design
* Databases for Multimedia Applications
* 3D Graphics, Virtual Reality and Animation
* eCommerce and New Business Structures
* Emergent Multimedia Technologies
* Software Engineering and Technology
* Image in Motion

Is this degree right for you?

This is a multidisciplinary degree - it integrates aspects of courses on IT, media, design, communications and engineering. It is hands-on and intellectually and creatively challenging. You are someone who appreciates the role of communication in human life.

You take pride and care in how you organise and present your work, and you should be fascinated by the power of the computer and what you have been able to do with it.

You are creative, intelligent and ambitious, and you want to be part of the digital information age.

Teaching and LearningThe course uses the latest technology housed in purpose-built teaching laboratories. It employs a wide variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods, many of which are laboratory-based and utilise multimedia technologies, such as websites, CD-ROMs and video diaries.

Staff Expertise

We take pains to maintain our high level of teaching. Lecturers are at the leading edge of their fields and many are internationally and nationally recognised for their work. They act as consultants for major companies, are often widely published and have good links with industry, so they know exactly what is going on in the commercial world.

Hours

In Level 1 you will have about 18 taught hours a week. This will fall to around 8 hours lectures and seminars in Level 3, with one whole day of project work. In addition to this, staff are normally happy to answer queries outside this time.

We operate an open door policy where you can drop in and chat or email lecturers with your questions. Students are expected to carry out a total of 40 hours study a week, including contact hours.

How will I be taught?Lectures

These provide a broad overview of key concepts and ideas relating to your course and give you a framework from which to carry out in-depth study.

Laboratories

Staff/student ratio of 1:10 - one supervisor and a demonstrator. These are normally stand alone three hour sessions where students can develop, understand and practice using industry standard equipment.

They provide an informal environment in which to explore new ideas and apply what you have learnt in lectures, with the help of a tutor.

Workshops

In a workshop you will work on more complex problems with guidance from a member of staff. This might involve producing an artefact or a design solution. These allow you to develop new intellectual and practical skills and also serve to reinforce material learnt in lectures.

Tutorials

Up to six students. At Level 1 this will be an opportunity to look at your academic knowledge and to develop personal skills, such as communication ability and study skills.

One-to-one

You will get one-to-one supervision for all project work, throughout all levels. If you go on a placement you will also be allocated an industrial tutor who will help you set objectives, monitor your progress, and provide further support if you need it.

You will also have a personal tutor who is available to discuss both academic and personal problems.

Other

Guest speakers from prominent organisations, research seminars and external site visits.

AssessmentNew ways

We offer a dedicated multimedia computing studio making use of industry standard software packages and equipment. You will build your own web site and develop it throughout the course, and you will produce video diaries and CD-ROMs as a permanent record of your work and achievements.

In the final year you will undertake a significant multimedia project (usually for an external client) which you will present at exhibition and fully write-up.

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark but you have to pass this year in order to progress to Level 2. Level 2 is worth a third of your final degree classification. Level 3 is worth the rest.

Assessment is by a variety of methods and varies depending on your degree programme. In general, the following techniques are used:

* Traditional exam
* Written assignments
* Practical and creative design projects
* Individual and group presentations

Equal emphasis is put on teamwork and individual contribution in assessed group projects and presentations.