We live in a time of unprecedented proliferation of new media of communication, which are built upon innovations in communication technologies that augment human communication in both anticipated and unanticipated ways.  New media do not displace those that came before, but as they appear, the landscape of the media and information industries is altered and communication practices at home, in schools, and in the workplace adapt.  The major in media and communication technology recognizes that this continuing evolution stresses the ability of individuals and families, communities and organizations, and societies and nations to make socially beneficial and economically productive use of the plethora of current and new media.

The purpose of this major is to train tomorrow’s media and communication technology leaders and to prepare them to make informed decisions about how to apply, manage, and evaluate many forms of media products, applications, and services.  In addition to the core program, two concentrations are available to media and communication technology majors, both of which are built upon a fundamental understanding of communication principles as they apply to current and new media, the communication technologies that make current and new services possible, historical development of current and new media, and political and economic forces that shape this development. Students will be required to complete one concentration.

Media Management and Research Concentration

This concentration prepares students for the challenge of evaluating how people use current and new media, how current and new media interact in the media marketplace, and the implications of these issues for media companies and societies.  Students learn principles of media management, media business strategy, media research skills, media theory, media policy, and the basic economic forces shaping media industries.  Students who select this concentration will be prepared to help tomorrow’s broadcasting, cable, telephone, and Internet companies as well as media research agencies make informed decisions about the opportunities being generated by current and new media. The concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Information and Communication Technologies Concentration

This concentration prepares students to implement and manage new information and communication technologies for use in organizations and communities. It emphasizes hands-on and practical application of web and Internet-based information and communication systems, group communication systems, wireless and other personal communication technologies, e-commerce technologies and other emerging forms of information and communication technologies. Students learn theories of human computer interaction, technological foundations and applications, project management principles, and the social and organizational impact of information and communication technologies. Students who select this concentration will help tomorrow’s organizations improve the way their employees communicate with near and distant co-workers, market their products to customers, and work with suppliers and other stakeholders using the Web as well as voice and video applications. The concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Media and Communication Technology

1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Media and Communication Technology.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Media and Communication Technology major is met by completing any one of the following courses: Telecommunication 449, 450, 452, 458, 462A, 462B, 462C, 464, 465, 476, or 477. Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Science degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following courses (12 credits):
   	TC	100	The Information Society				3
   	TC	110	Understanding Media				3
   	TC	201	Introduction to Media and Communication Technology				3
   	TC	210	Media and Communication Policy				3
   b.	One of the following concentrations (15 to 21 credits):
   	Media Management and Research
   	1.	The following courses (9 credits):
   		TC	300	Economics of Media			3
   		TC	356	Marketing Media Content and Services			3
   		TC	376	Media Research			3
   	2.	Three of the following courses. One of the three must be selected from Telecommunication 452, 458, 476, or 477 (10 to 12 credits):
   		TC	339	Digital Games and Society			3
   		TC	340	Introduction to Video and Audio			3
   		TC	375	Social Impacts of New Media			3
   		TC	381	Media Consumer Behavior			3
   		TC	452	Media Strategy (W)			4
   		TC	458	Project Management (W)			3
   		TC	476	Advanced Media Research (W)			4
   		TC	477	Global Media (W)			4
   	Information and Communication Technologies
   	1.	The following courses (6 credits):
   		TC	331	Introduction to Interactive Media Design			3
   		TC	361	Information and Communication Technology Management			3
   	2.	Three of the following courses. One of the three must be selected from Telecommunication 449, 450, 458, 462A, 462B, 462C, or 465. (9 to 12 credits):
   		TC	349	Client-Side Web Development			4
   		TC	362	Web Administration			3
   		TC	365	Introduction to Network Management			3
   		TC	449	Server-Side Web Development			4
   		TC	450	Human Computer Interaction and User Experience Design (W)			4
   		TC	458	Project Management (W)			4
   		TC	462A	Wireless Networks and Applications (W)			4
   		TC	462B	Social Computing (W)			3
   		TC	463C	Electronic Commerce (W)			3
   		TC	464	Network Security			3
   		TC	465	Advanced Network Management (W)			3
   c.	Telecommunication electives: additional credits in telecommunication courses as needed to meet the requirement of at least 30, but not more than 52, credits in courses in the major. Not more than 12 credits in Telecommunication independent study and internship courses combined, and not more than 7 credits in either telecommunication independent study or internship courses, may be counted toward the requirements for the Media and Communication Technology major.
   d.	The following courses outside the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media (18 to 30):
   	1.	One of the following courses ( 0 to 4 credits):
   		CSE	101	Computing Concepts and Competencies			3
   		CSE	131	Technical Computing and Problem Solving			3
   		CSE	231	Introduction to Programming I			4
   	Students who pass a waiver examination for Computer Science and Engineering 101 will not be required to complete Computer Science and Engineering 101 or 131 or 231.
   	2.	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		EC	201	Introduction to Microeconomics			3
   		PSY	101	Introductory Psychology			4
   	3.	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		ADV	205	Principles of Advertising			4
   		ADV	260	Principles of Public Relations			3
   		COM	100	Human Communication			3
   		COM	225	An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication			3
   		COM	275	Effects of Mass Communication			3
   		JRN	108	Introduction to Mass Media			3
   		RET	261	Introduction to Retailing			3
   	4.	A cognate selected from one of the following: the arts, biological and physical sciences, social sciences, business, or an approved university specialization.  A list of appropriate cognates is available from the advising office. If business is selected, students must select from the following courses: Economics 201 and 202, Accounting 230, General Business and Business Law 323, Finance 320, Management 325, and Marketing and Supply Chain Management 313 and 327. A list of appropriate departments and courses is available from the advising office.
   		Each cognate must:
   		a.	be a minimum of 18 credits
   		b.	include three courses at the 300-400 level
   		c.	be approved upon admission to the major or attainment of junior standing, whichever is earlier.
   Only credits in courses graded on the numerical or  Pass–No Grade system may be counted toward the requirements for the Media and Communication Technology major. Media and Communication Technology major students may not enroll in courses required for the major, including courses in other departments, on a Credit–No Credit basis.
   	Students should meet with their academic advisors concerning the minimum and maximum numbers of elective credits available to them at various stages in their programs.