About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: G451
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 300
- Department: Computer Science and Creative Technologies
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Three years full-time, Four years sandwich
- Delivery: Full-time, Sandwich
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Barry Dean
Introduction
There are many definitions of digital media. These include references to interactivity, moving image (animation and video), sound, virtual reality, and entertainment systems including those provided by computer games consoles. Previously, computer systems have relied on text as the sole means of conveying information. Now, they too are making increasing use of sound and non-textual images to convey information. Most would acknowledge that the creation of contemporary multimedia computing involves a process that interweaves aspects of both art and science.
The BSc(Hons) Digital Media degree raises awareness of current and emerging digital media technologies, principles of information design for effective communication and approaches to software construction and its management. Through this awareness, you will be able to author digital media applications by selecting and creating appropriate content. Some of these systems will be for stand-alone use whilst others will be for deployment. The degree also includes computer modelling and animation systems, including the production of cinematic effects and character animation, through to games programming principles and techniques as well as considering areas of suitable application.
Structure
Content
Year 1
In the first year you will acquire skills in fundamental technologies such as program development, media technologies and systems development as well as understanding principles behind 3D environments, multimedia sound production and how best to communicate information.
Year 2
In the second year you will build on the foundations laid in Year 1 and will develop your skills in Multimedia Authoring, Human-Computer Interaction, as well as other specialist applications and techniques such as Java.
Final Year
The final year brings together all the ideas and skills acquired so far. You will study core modules on Professional and Policy Issues, and 3D Modelling and Animation. You will undertake a project in which you will research an area of interest and develop an appropriate digital media application. This will serve to consolidate and extend your knowledge, and establish your practical expertise.
Programme structure diagram for the Digital Media programme.
The programme structures change from year to year, so you might find some variation between that shown here and the final version of your course.
Teaching and learning
Throughout the programme you will develop knowledge and skills through a combination of computer-based practical work, theoretical discussion, classroom-based exercises and directed self-study. The aim is for you to be accomplished in practical work involving the creation, development, and deployment of interactive media, and in discussing the principles behind this work.
Visit Barry Dean's website and explore some of the digtial media applications used on this course. The site is used by current students.
Assessment
A combination of practical coursework and end of year examination is used to assess most modules.
Special Features
Placements
We encourage all students on our degree courses to do a placement year in an industrial, commercial or public sector organisation, doing work of value to the company. There are many companies who provide placements to university students. Previous students have been placed with Airbus, HP, Rolls-Royce, IBM, Lloyds TSB, Intel and BT, to name but a few. We also work with a number of smaller companies in and around the region.
The Department's Placements Team has close links with the business community and advertise hundreds of work placements every year. We will show you how to prepare your CV correctly, advise you on how to write letters of application and help you learn successful interview techniques. For more information on our work placements visit our department's website.
Careers/further study
This course responds to the growing demand for personnel skilled in the creation, deployment and support of digital media technologies. Graduates of the degree in Digital Media can look forward to employment in a wide range of creative software development environments, or as information architects enabling the production, implementation, and technical support of digital media systems.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating- includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Key employer partnerships
Our degrees can lead to a wide variety of career choices. To ensure that our degrees make you as employable as possible we work closely with seven major partner employers in our engineering and computing consortium.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about the key jobs in the information technology sector.
Useful links
UWE - careers in broadcast media
UWE - careers in information technology
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 300
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Relevant subjects: Any science or technology subject
- Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; achievement of level 2 credits in Maths and English Language.
- Baccalaureate IB: Accepted (see the UCAS website for the UCAS tariff points that you can gain from the IB to put towards our points requirements above)
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011