Digital Media and Virtual Production BS

Major: Digital Media and Virtual Production
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 187.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); Three Co-op (Five years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0702
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9199

About the Program

The Digital Media & Virtual Production program encompasses a unique combination of skills and principles used by industry for the development and execution of a Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), other forms of Immersive Media including Virtual Production. Among these are creative thinking, understanding of design, aesthetic sensitivity, and storytelling balanced with technical knowledge in areas such as 3D Computer Graphics, Animation, Visual Effects, real-time 3D graphics, interactivity, digital camera and image processing technologies. Additionally, critical thinking, the ability to collaborate effectively and communication skills are also integral to success in this rapidly expanding industry.

Drexel’s Bachelor of Science in Digital Media & Virtual Production program encompasses foundation courses in the applied and social sciences, the humanities, and a wide range of professional digital media coursework to prepare students for careers in Virtual Production, VR/AR and related Immersive Media fields. At the heart of the curriculum are the design and production labs and workshops where students are challenged to apply their knowledge acquired from the above disciplines to consequential design problems.

Courses required by this major are predominantly conducted in-person, on campus. However, given the virtual focus of the major itself, a select number of courses are conducted via virtual modalities to engage a diverse population of instructors and students from beyond campus boundaries, as well as exercise the practice and application of virtual technologies and disciplines.

Additional Information

For more information about this major, visit the Westphal College's Digital Media & Virtual Production web page.

Admission Requirements

In addition to standard application requirements, this program requires program director review of an additional, major specific essay question and applicant portfolio.

Degree Requirements

General Education
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
PHYS 170Electricity and Motion3.0
PHYS 171Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion1.0
PHYS 175Light and Sound3.0
PHYS 176Computational Lab for Light and Sound1.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience2.0
Required Arts and Humanities-students elect a minimum of 9.0 credits **9.0
Required Social Science-students elect a minimum of 9.0 credits ***9.0
Free electives24.0
Art and Art History Requirements
ARTH 102History of Art II3.0
ARTH 103History of Art III3.0
ARTH 300 [WI] History of Modern Design3.0
VSST 108Design I for Media3.0
VSST 109Design II for Media3.0
VSST 110Introductory Drawing3.0
VSST 111Figure Drawing I3.0
VSST 210Painting Basics3.0
Media and Computer Science Requirements
CS 171Computer Programming I3.0
FMTV 206Audio Production and Post3.0
Digital Media Requirements
ANIM 140Computer Graphics Imagery I3.0
ANIM 145Realtime Visualization3.0
ANIM 155Previsualization for Animated Production3.0
ANIM 211Animation I3.0
ANIM 212Animation II3.0
ANIM 215History of Animation3.0
ANIM 220Digital Compositing I3.0
DIGM 105Overview of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 350 [WI] Digital Storytelling3.0
DIGM 451 [WI] Explorations in New Media3.0
DIGM 475 [WI] Seminar: The Future of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 490Digital Media Senior Project 9.0
DIGM 491Digital Media Senior Project Studio 3.0
GMAP 260Overview of Computer Gaming3.0
IDM 100Introduction to Web Development3.0
Virtual Production Requirements
VRIM 100Digital Tools for Immersive Media3.0
VRIM 110Digital Imaging for Immersive Media3.0
VRIM 120Immersive Production Lab I3.0
VRIM 220Immersive Production Lab II3.0
VRIM 250Professional Practices for Immersive Media3.0
VRIM 310Immersive Media Workshop I3.0
VRIM 320Immersive Media Workshop II3.0
VRIM 388Motion Capture I3.0
Virtual Production Electives (Choose 4 of the following)12.0
Computer Graphics Imagery II
Digital Compositing II
Advanced Lighting
Procedural Animation
Advanced Compositing
Advanced Animation
Computer Programming II
Advanced Programming Tools and Techniques
Digital Cultural Heritage
Game Development Foundations
Character Animation for Gaming
Motion Capture II
Independent Study in Immersive Media
Independent Study in Immersive Media
Independent Study in Immersive Media
Independent Study in Immersive Media
Special Topics in Immersive Media
Special Topics in Immersive Media
Special Topics in Immersive Media
Special Topics in Immersive Media
Total Credits187.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380-480 in AFAS, ARTH, COM, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PPE, PBHL, SCRP, THTR, TVST, WGST, WRIT, ARCH, DANC, INTR, PHTO, RELS, and VSCM.

***

Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480, in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, and WGST.

DIGM 490 and DIGM 491 are repeated 3 times each to complete the DIGM Capstone Senior Project sequence.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4 year, 1 coop

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ANIM 1403.0ANIM 1453.0VACATION
PHYS 1703.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1753.0DIGM 1053.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1761.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
VRIM 1003.0UNIV A1011.0MATH 1014.0 
VRIM 1203.0VRIM 1103.0VSST 1093.0 
VSST 1103.0VSST 1083.0  
 17 17 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 1553.0ANIM 2123.0ANIM 2203.0COM 2303.0
ANIM 2113.0ANIM 2153.0ARTH 1033.0COOP 101*1.0
CS 1713.0ARTH 1023.0VRIM 2203.0DIGM 3503.0
GMAP 2603.0IDM 1003.0VRIM 3883.0FMTV 2063.0
VSST 2103.0VSST 1113.0Free Elective3.0VRIM 2503.0
   Immersive Media Elective3.0
 15 15 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARTH 3003.0DIGM 4753.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
DIGM 4513.0VRIM 3203.0  
VRIM 3103.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0  
Free Elective3.0Immersive Media Elective3.0  
Immersive Media Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0  
 15 15 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
Arts and Humanities Elective3.0Free Electives6.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0Free Electives9.0 
Immersive Media Elective3.0   
Social Science Elective3.0   
 16 13 16 
Total Credits 187
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

 5 year, 3 coop

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ANIM 1403.0ANIM 1453.0VACATION
PHYS 1703.0COOP 101*1.0CIVC 1011.0 
PHYS 1711.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0DIGM 1053.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1753.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
VRIM 1003.0PHYS 1761.0MATH 1014.0 
VRIM 1203.0UNIV A1011.0VSST 1093.0 
VSST 1103.0VRIM 1103.0  
 VSST 1083.0  
 17 18 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEANIM 1553.0ANIM 2123.0
  ANIM 2113.0ANIM 2153.0
  CS 1713.0ARTH 1023.0
  GMAP 2603.0IDM 1003.0
  VSST 2103.0VSST 1113.0
 0 0 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEANIM 2203.0COM 2303.0
  ARTH 1033.0DIGM 3503.0
  VRIM 2203.0FMTV 2063.0
  VRIM 3883.0VRIM 2503.0
  Free Elective3.0Immersive Media Elective3.0
 0 0 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEARTH 3003.0DIGM 4753.0
  DIGM 4513.0VRIM 3203.0
  VRIM 3103.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0
  Free Elective3.0Immersive Media Elective3.0
  Immersive Media Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0
 0 0 15 15
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
Arts and Humanities Elective3.0Free Electives6.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0Free Electives9.0 
Immersive Media Elective3.0   
Social Science Elective3.0   
 16 13 16 
Total Credits 187
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Program Level Outcomes

  • Understand the key concepts of VR/AR and immersive media production
  • Evaluate emerging technologies in VR/AR and immersive media
  • Implement VR/AR and immersive media projects based on industry standard production pipelines
  • Apply agile project management techniques
  • Interact in a team based production environment

Digital Media Faculty

Alexus Aiken, MS (Drexel University). Instructor. 3D Animation and real-time collaborative animation.
Milady S. Bridges, BA (Rutgers University) Program Director, Animation and Visual Effects. Assistant Teaching Professor. Animation and visual effects technical artist
Paul Diefenbach, PhD (University of Pennsylvani). Associate Professor. Game development, real-time rendering
Troy Finamore, MS (Drexel University) Program Director, User Experience & Interaction Design. Teaching Professor. User interface design, interaction design, user experience design, and user research.
Aroutis N. Foster, PhD (Michigan State University) Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies. Professor. Educational psychology and educational technology, especially the following: Motivation; Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK); Immersive Interactive Digital Environments (simulation, games, virtual realities.
Ari Gass, PhD (University of Chicago). Assistant Professor. Feminist and queer theory in computational media; interactive, participatory performance art.
Nick Jushchyshyn, MFA (Academy of Art University) Program Director, VR & Immersive Media. Associate Professor. Visual effects, digital media and animation.
Frank J. Lee, PhD (Carnegie Mellon University). Professor. Human-computer interaction; cognitive engineering and science, intelligent software agents for games and education.
Robert Lloyd, MFA (Temple University) Program Director, Game Design & Production. Associate Teaching Professor. Game development, themed entertainment and motion simulation
David Mauriello, BA (Lafayette College). Assistant Professor. 3D modeling and animation.
Glen Muschio, PhD (Temple University). Associate Professor. Digital media, society, communication
Santiago Ontañón, PhD (University of Barcelona). Associate Professor. Game AI, computer games, artificial intelligence, machine learning, case-based reasoning
Emil Polyak, MDCArtDes (University of New South Wales) Program Director, Master's in Digital Media. Associate Professor. Cross-disciplinary art and design
Jervis Thompson, BS (Drexel University). Teaching Professor. Digital media, interactive multimedia
Michael Wagner, PhD (Vienna University of Technology) Program Director, Digital Media. Professor. Educational use of digital media and computer games.

Emeritus Faculty

Theo Artz, BFA (Tyler School of Art, Temple University). Associate Professor. Digital media.