Interactive Arts and Technology
The master of science (MSc) is one of the three degrees offered in SIAT in art, design, media and information technology with particular expertise in the computational aspects of how humans interact with technologies and systems related to areas including art, design, new media learning, business, cognition, performing arts, social science and cultural studies. The program is geared toward students who wish to learn about designing, making and using human-centred technologies. Methodological approaches in this degree are primarily drawn from scientific, computational, design and engineering traditions of inquiry.
The program has the following objectives: research and development of new computational technology in the context of complex human organizations and situations; research into the process of creating and managing technology; inquiry into and use of research methodologies that enable interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of new technologies; and research into the application of new digital technologies in society and industry, particularly related to improving human-technology interaction.
丁香园AV Requirements
There will be annual admission with the possibility of early or out-of-cycle admissions in special cases.
The minimum standards will be those of 丁香园AV, as described in the Graduate General Regulations (page 219), augmented by the following specific requirements.
The school aims to admit students with diverse backgrounds, across the broad areas in which our faculty have disciplinary expertise. The following admission requirements encourage such diversity while setting minimum standards for acceptance into the program.
Students will be admitted to study for either the master of arts (MA) or master of science (MSc) degree. Students may articulate between the MA and MSc degrees by meeting the admission and program requirements of the degree to which they articulate and with the approval of the graduate program committee. A student may make one application for articulation.
Minimum Standard Entrance Requirements
- an undergraduate degree in a field related to the proposed program of study. For example: BSc computer science, BASc engineering (electrical, communications, computer engineering), BA or BSc in education, management, economics or communications, BFA in art, design or performing arts, BA in art, art history, architecture, linguistics, psychology or philosophy, BArch, BLArch, BID.
- OR an undergraduate degree in another, related discipline. In this instance, applicants must establish the relationship between the discipline in which they hold their previous degree(s) and this program, and explain how they would benefit from this program.
- for applicants to this MSc program, a record of substantial university course work in scientific and/or technological areas.
- a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at a Canadian university, or equivalent, for the undergraduate degree.
- two reference letters from suitably qualified persons.
Additional 丁香园AV Requirements
English Language Competence
English is the language of instruction and communication at the University. Accordingly, an applicant whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate General Regulations for minimum language requirements and further information.
Portfolio/Interview
Candidates who are considered for admission may be required to submit a work portfolio and/or be required to attend a personal or telephone interview during the latter stages of the admission process.
Advising and Supervision
Students entering the program will be assigned an interim advisor. The interim advisor has two main tasks: advising the student on issues related to study within the program and assisting the student in identifying and approaching potential senior supervisors. There is no requirement that the interim advisor has a role in supervision once the senior supervisor is approved. Student supervision will comply with graduate general regulations section 1.6 Supervision.
The normal size of supervisory committees is two members.
Program Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 30 units, consisting of 15 units of course work, of which 12 must normally be SIAT graduate course units. The 12 SIAT units may not include Directed Readings.
Course Requirements
Students complete
Introduces the core values of interdisciplinary scholarship through engagement with history, theory and practice in the study of science, technology, society and culture. This course will be a reading-intensive, extended seminar style investigation of theoretical and historical references in science and technology studies and broader societal implications of technologies. Prerequisite: SIAT Graduate Student.
Provides an introduction to different epistemological worldviews, research approaches and methodological traditions of inquiry that are used to conduct research within SIAT. Students are introduced to a range of ways of knowing and inquiring in human-centred design, development and analysis of interactive technologies including scientific, social science, humanities, design and art-based approaches. Prerequisite: SIAT Graduate Student.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Carman Neustaedter |
Sep 5 鈥� Dec 4, 2017: Thu, 10:30 a.m.鈥�1:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
Introduces students to computer programming that encompasses knowledge of art/design history and practices, and introduces a deep approach to design thinking in creating interactive software projects. This programming-intensive course includes an introduction to Interactive Design Computing and the history of ideas that lead to modern interactive computing systems and emphasizes decision making in software design process, historical perspective of art and design, interactive software objects, iterative design cycles and design rationale in producing interactive software and introduces a historical perspective on these techniques. Prerequisite: SIAT Graduate Student.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Christopher Shaw |
Sep 5 鈥� Dec 4, 2017: Tue, Thu, 2:30鈥�3:50 p.m.
|
Surrey |
The remaining course units can be fulfilled by completing a SIAT graduate elective, special topics or a directed readings course.
SIAT Elective Courses
Analyses, designs and prototypes more effective and more appropriate products and systems to support interactivity. This course will examine these issues through an iterative modeling process.
Explores the theory and practice of performance and technology in the context of interactive-art. Investigates interactive performance as an emerging practice-based area of research. Grounds performance practice in a variety of fields including: human computer interaction, phenomenology, artificial intelligence, embodied cognition and computation, computer games, and virtual worlds.
A range of ways of knowing and inquiring in design research are explored by providing comparisons of different traditions appropriate for empirical mixed method design evaluations. This is a second research methods course. Prerequisite: One research methods course, either quantitative or qualitative. Students with credit for this course when offered as IAT 888 Special Topics in Spring 2007 may not take this course for further credit.
Sustainable interaction design (SID) examines the role of design in digital artifacts that support environmental sustainability. SID considers digital artifacts with respect to recycling, reuse, and renewal. The aim of the course is to introduce and understand SID concepts, research, and practice.
Games have become a major part of our culture, rivaling the popularity of movies. Drawing on a wide variety of examples and disciplines, this course examines theories and techniques for the analysis of existing games, and the design of new ones. It studies game design, and will provide students with the conceptual and technical tools necessary to critique and design games of all kinds.
Covers the concepts, algorithms and design principles underlying modern 3D computer animation and visualization from a user interface perspective. Research topics include 3D user interface constructs; information, data and knowledge visualization; 3D graphics and animation; spatial perception; and virtual and immersive environments.
Introduces students to the design of computational systems that themselves support the design process. Prerequisite: IAT 800.
Theory and practice of the metacreation as a contemporary approach to generative art and design that involves using tools and techniques from artificial intelligence, artificial life, and machine learning to develop software that is creative on their own. Through the project students will build software that exhibits behaviour that would be considered creative if performed by humans. Prerequisite: IAT 800. Students with credit for IAT 811 in 2008 or 2009 or IAT 888 in 2010 may not take this course for further credit.
External Courses
Subject to supervisory committee approval and graduate program committee approval, students may fulfill the remaining course requirements through other appropriate graduate courses at 丁香园AV or elsewhere (the latter subject to 丁香园AV rules on external courses).
Directed Readings
Directed readings should be distinct from work undertaken toward the thesis, and only one can be counted towards the program requirements. Students should not expect to complete a directed readings course when a substantively comparable 丁香园AV course exists. Directed readings courses, even if led by SIAT faculty, may not be counted as part of the minimum 12 SIAT units. Normally a directed readings course may not be taken from the student’s senior supervisor(s).
Research Colloquium
The research colloquium is an important part of the program. Students present in one seminar and are required to register in the following colloquium course for at least two academic terms.
Through an interdisciplinary speaker series, presents research topics relevant to the SIAT graduate program. Engages students in discussion and debate on the utility, results and methods of research. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Enrolment in the SIAT graduate program.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bernhard Riecke |
Sep 5 鈥� Dec 4, 2017: Wed, 12:30鈥�2:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
Thesis
Students produce and defend a thesis as part of the degree requirements.
Students who are working on their master of science thesis will enrol in the following course. This course will not count towards the course work requirements.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.