About The College of Technology
Overview
Programs in the College of Technology have been developed for those students wishing to work in information technology fields, cyber security, video and motion graphics and multimedia design. Design-related careers include, among others, the areas of Game Design and Development, 3-D animation, marketing, photography and graphic design. Studio and digital production encompasses careers in television and video production, print and broadcast journalism and videography and non-linear editing. Information technology networks now reflect a global presence throughout all of the nation’s IT enterprise systems as people are now connected to a network whether at work or home through any of the many types of end user devices. Information Technology related careers include Project Leader/Manager, Web Application Developer, Systems Analyst, Database Specialist, E-commerce Analyst, Network Specialist, Cyber Security Specialist, Security Analyst, and Information Assurance and Computer Forensics Specialist, among many others. The United States Department of Labor statistics reports a demand for Information Technology professionals across all industry segments with an emphasis on cyber security. Wilmington University’s College of Technology programs include courses that are taught, using an appropriate balance of theory and practice, in state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and studios.
Philosophy
The mission of the College of Technology is to prepare students in the conceptual and practical aspects of information technologies, media design and studio production. Students will learn creative, technical and managerial perspectives to aid them in becoming competent practitioners and leaders in their chosen field. Each student will also be versed in leadership and stewardship responsibilities as they assume those roles in society. Toward those ends, the faculty is committed to providing an academically challenging and an aesthetically pleasing environment that will foster the development of creative and innovative projects to meet the challenges of a constantly changing profession.
General Purpose
The College of Technology programs are designed to address a wide range of career needs surrounding the informational systems field, and in the multimedia design and studio production industries. The diversity of activities and occupations within these professions establishes the foundation for formal training. Rapidly changing technology requires curriculum that is concurrent with industry. While preparing students to become competent, competitive, adaptive and able to work well in teams, our programs include the latest tools and concepts. The importance of these personal design and communication skills and of the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with emerging technologies and information resources is reflected in the various programs through emphasis on “core skills”, all of which are fully integrated into practical, hands-on assignments.
The Program of Study
All programs with the College of Technology observe a rigorous academic regimen involving core areas of study. The Information Systems Management (ISM) degree reflects contemporary industry skill requirements, including data warehousing, business process and business intelligence. It also includes an introduction to IT policy and strategy with tasks interwoven within the program to enhance interpersonal communication skills. The ISM degree consists of 33 core credit hours in the management of technology plus 18 credit hours of free electives. Additionally, it includes a Business and Management Core of 24 credit hours, 6 credit hours of Technical Support, and a General Education Requirements of 39 credit hours to provide a well-rounded academic program.
The Web Information Systems (WIS) degree prepares students for careers in web application development for dynamic data-driven web sites. The core courses of the major consist of 39 credit hours, beginning with the languages of the web, XHTML and CSS. Emphasis is then placed on programming for the client/server model including server-side programming with databases and client side programming for web browsers. Upper level courses focus on the theory of object oriented systems analysis and design, software project management, database design, and user centered design. The collective knowledge amassed from the core course work is then put into practice in the senior year in the form of a senior project or internship. In addition to the technical courses, the WIS degree also includes a 24 credit hour business and management core to build strong communications skills and a sound understanding of current business practices. A General Education core of 39 credits, plus 6 technical support credits and 12 credits of free electives, helps provide the student with the broad education needed to compete for jobs in today’s global marketplace.
The Computer and Network Security degree concentrates on 45 core credits focusing on security and information assurance, including 3 credit hours of related electives, and is buttressed by a support core of 21 credits. Coupled with 39 credits of General Education and 15 credits of free electives, students have the ability to tailor the degree toward specific career interests within the profession.
The design-oriented programs of study use the Associate of Media Art, Design and Technology degree as their core for the freshman and sophomore years. The associate degree is comprised of a General Education requirement of 12 courses (36 credit hours) and a Media Design and Technology core of eight courses (24 credit hours).
Each four-year degree program involving a design-emphasis continues with two more General Education courses (6 credit hours) plus a design core and specialized career concentrations. The Media Design degree includes a Media Design core of 11 courses (33 credit hours) and offers career concentrations in Multimedia, Photography and Digital Publishing consisting of 16 courses (48 credit hours). The Video and Motion Graphics degree involves a Video and and Motion Graphics core of 15 courses (45 credit hours) and a choice of career concentrations in 3D and Motion Graphics, Digital Film-Making, or Visual Effects each consisting of 12 courses (36 credit hours).
The General Education requirements provide a foundation in English, the fine arts, and the social sciences. The Media Design and Video and Motion Graphics cores explore those areas of technology and design that integrate within the media communications field. Finally, the career concentrations provide a focused concentration in the student’s major field of study.
This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2018 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.