Design Computation (BS)
Arash Soleimani, PhD
Chair
Introduction
Computation is an essential part of everyday life. It mediates our social interactions, our news, and it is embedded in many of the physical objects that we interact with. In this environment, design requires the use and understanding of computation. The Bachelor of Science in Design Computation develops computational literacy as essential to a broad, multidisciplinary undergraduate education. Computational literacy is created through both technical and critical frameworks. Students in the program will gain fluency in programming languages, software, and hardware. This fluency enables the design of objects, software, and spaces. It also enables the critical evaluation of the biases and values embedded within specific software and languages. Graduates of the program will be versed in contemporary software, programming, robotics, and digital fabrication.
Mission
The Bachelor of Science in Design Computation develops design professionals who can critically evaluate, discuss, and develop computational design strategies through a critical intellectual framework with technical precision.
Additional Learning Opportunities
The Design Computation program shares the first two-years of curriculum with the Applied Computer Science— Media Arts. This shared curriculum creates opportunities for collaboration and shared learning between these technology-based programs.
Technology and Computer Requirements
We highly encourage students to purchase a laptop computer. This will be an important part of every project that students work on. While computer labs offer a good supplement, having access to a personal machine will greatly aid in the production to work over the course of the four-year program.
We recommend the following specifications for a laptop computer:
| Estimated Cost: |
$1,700 – $2,000 |
| OS: |
Windows |
| Processor: |
Intel i5 – i9 |
| Screen Size: |
17” |
| Memory: |
16 GB |
| Hard Drive: |
1 TB |
| Video Card: |
4 mb Quad Core
(NVIDIA Quadro P620 or better) |
| Mouse: |
3 button Mouse |
| Insurance: |
4-year full-replacement |
Program Learning Outcomes
The Design Computation has five tracks of knowledge that correspond to the following five groups of learning outcomes.
History and Theory
- Enumerate the broad history of computation through an analysis of events, figures, and the social and political issues surrounding them.
- Describe the work of others in the field of computational design, position their work within it, and consider the broader consequences of the work within culture and society, particularly as it pertains to questions of economic and social equity and environmental issues.
Technology and Making
- Discuss computational principles such as algorithms, syntax, encapsulation, prototyping, and debugging.
- Create computational strategies using appropriate and up-to-date available technical tools, fabrication methods, and programming languages to address design problems.
Media Computation
- Compose interactive media, user experiences, user interfaces, and software with consideration or aesthetics, efficiency, social, environmental, and political issues.
- Develop and use systems for the sharing of code, original ideas, and design strategies amongst other collaborators in the pursuit of a design solution
Design Computation
- Respond to specific design problems with a clear statement of intent and precise framing of the problem.
- Compose interactive media, physical prototypes, objects, building components, and software that respond to a specific design problem.
Professional Practice
- Develop and improve principles of equity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Discuss design strategies in a manner that translates complex technical issues into language understandable by multiple audiences, including designers, engineers, investors, customers, and the general public
Assessment Process
Formative Assessment Experiences
In conjunction with the Design Computation program, second-year students enroll in a portfolio class to assess the learning outcomes of the first two years of the program.
Summative Assessment Experiences
Design Computation Studio 3 and 4 form a two- semester capstone experience in which students design and execute a design and technology project. The project should encapsulate the key learning outcomes of the program.
Curriculum Summary
Program Major Curriculum
| Unit Type (UT) |
# of Units |
| Major (MA) |
68 |
| General Education (GE) |
49 |
| Unrestricted Electives (UE) |
6 |
| Work Experience (WE) |
0 |
| Minimum Total Units Required |
123 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
First Year
Fall Semester
| CSMA 100 | ACS Lecture Series | 1 |
| CORE 101 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| GDES 107 | Digital Practice | 3 |
| FOUN 102 | Design and Composition | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Interdisciplinary Core Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| CORE 102 | Computer Science II | 3 |
| CSDC 111 | | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Ethics Elective | 3 |
| WRIT 113 | First-Year Academic Writing | 3 |
| LSCI ___ | Information Sources | 1 |
| MATH 249 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Third Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
| CSDC 314 | | 3 |
| CSDC 330 | | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | UD Interdisciplinary Elective | 3 |
| CORE 301 | Applied Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Natural Science with Lab Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Work Experience | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
CSDC 314, CSDC 330, and CORE 301: MA.
UD Interdisciplinary Elective and Natural Science with Lab Elective: GE.
Work Experience: WE.
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
| CSDC 440 | | 3 |
| MDST 120 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CSDC 415 | | 3 |
| ____ ___ | General Education Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| CSDC 450 | | 6 |
| CSDC 480 | | 3 |
| ____ 3__ | UD General Education Elective | 3 |
| ____ ___ | Unrestricted Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Type:
CSDC 450 and CSDC 480: MA.
UD General Education Elective: GE.
Unrestricted Elective: UE.