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.
間眅埶AV Requirements
There will be annual admission with the possibility of early or out-of-cycle admissions in special cases.
Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the 間眅埶AV Calendar. 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.
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.
Program Requirements
This program consists of courses, two terms of a research colloquium and a thesis. Students complete a minimum of 30 units, consisting of 15 units of course work, of which 12 must normally be SIAT graduate course units.
Students must 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.
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.
and six graduate units from SIAT graduate courses*
and two academic terms of research colloquium
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: Enrollment in the SIAT graduate program.
and a thesis
* Subject to supervisory committee approval and graduate program committee approval, students may fulfill this requirement through other appropriate graduate courses at 間眅埶AV or elsewhere (the latter subject to 間眅埶AV rules on external courses). Only one directed reading can be counted towards the program requirements.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirement in six terms.
Other Information
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.
Directed Readings
Directed readings should be distinct from work undertaken toward the thesis. Students should not expect to complete a directed readings course when a substantively comparable 間眅埶AV course exists. Normally, a directed readings course may not be taken from the student's senior supervisor(s).
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.