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School of Architecture and Design
Department of Design
Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication (BSVC)
The creation, manipulation and production of visual images and text are at the core of this major. Visual communication is influencedto a large degree by fast-changing worldwide technologies. Apart from broad technical, computer and design education, visual communication practitioners require an understanding of aesthetic trends, human nature, ethical boundaries and societal needs. Visual communicators aim to inform, persuade and influence behavior through the application of design principals.
The Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication (BSVC) degree program requires a minimum of four years of university studies. The foundations year of visual communication (VisCom) consists of a basic education in applied design, training in computer applications and courses in the history and relevance of design and visual expression. In the following years, elements of design practice are explored in individual, hands-on studio projects. The design studio sequence is the program core that integrates practical, cultural and contextual aspects of visual communication.
The BSVC is a professional program. The 122 credits required for the degree comprise 53 credits in required visual communication, digital applications and visual design related courses. This specialization is supported by 18 credits of major electives, 42 credits of general education requirements and nine credits of free electives. Some major required courses count toward general education requirements. In such cases, both requirements are considered as being met but the credits only count once toward total degree hours. In addition, professional training (internship) is required of all students; firm/company placement occurs in the summer after completion of the third year.
The BSVC is configuredtopreparethose who seek careers as designers or a preparation for the graduate studies in visual communication related areas. The curriculum follows standards of professional North American organizations and is conceived to meet or exceed requirements for visual communication experts in the United Arab Emirates.
Advancement in the Program
The number of seats in the visual communication program is limited. Formal advancement is competitive. Only the most highly qualified foundations students will be promoted. To be considered for advancement to the second year of the Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication program, a student must successfully complete the following requirements. Additional promotion restrictions may also apply.
- all four foundations studio courses (DES 111, DES 112, DES 131, DES 132) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of C (2.0) in each sequence (design and drawing)
- both courses in history of material culture (DES 121 and DES 122)
- DES 100 Digital Media in Design
- Mathematics (MTH XXX) or its prerequisite (MTH 00X)
- at least one course in writing (WRI) at the 100 level or above
- a minimum of 27 undergraduate credits (including the above courses)
- a minimum CGPA of 2.0
Formal notification of advancement in the program will be announced by the School of Architecture and Design in mid-June after release of final grades by the Office of the Registrar at the end of the spring semester. In the event that there are more students who qualify for advancement than available spaces, candidates will be promoted in the major based on academic achievement, and a waiting list will be established. In the event of a tie, students with the highest GPA in the history of material culture (DES 121 and DES 122) courses and mathematics course will advance to the second year. If there are available spaces at the time of fall registration, consideration will be given to those students who fulfilled requirements during summer session or who wish to change majors, based on the same advancement criteria as noted above. Students who need to repeat a second-year studio course will also be competing for the limited number of seats in the major.
Promotion Review in Visual Communication
As an extension of the regular advisement process, the performance of all students in the visual communication program will be reviewed after the fourth semester for retention in the program. To successfully pass this review and to continue in the major, a combined GPA of C+ (2.3) must be attained in VIS 201 and VIS 202, with a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in each course. Student performance is also reviewed after the sixth semester for retention in the program. In order to continue in the major, a combined GPA of C+ (2.3) must be attained in VIS 301 and VIS 302 with a minimum of C- (1.7) in each course.
Notes:
- A student with a semester grade of D (1.00) in the fall studio may not continue into the spring semester of the studio sequence.
- A student who does not attain the required studio average may repeat either studio with the higher grade for that studio averaged with the other studio grade.
- Any studio may be repeated only once.
- A student who fails to achieve the minimum studio average necessary for promotion after repeating a studio is dismissed from the program.
If the review has a negative outcome, the department will assist a candidate in transferring to a field that holds better promise.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 122 credits, including the following, are required:
• a minimum of 42 credits of general education requirements (of which nine credits double count as major requirements)
• 65 credits of major requirements
• a minimum of 15 credits of major electives
• a minimum of nine credits of free electives
• six weeks of approved professional training (internship)
• a minimum CGPA of 2.0
General Education Requirements (minimum of 42 credits)
- English language competency requirement (a minimum of 12 credits): 100 level or above of English (ENG)/writing (WRI) courses, including ENG 204 and ENG 231
- Arabic heritage requirement (a minimum of 3 credits)
- mathematics and/or statistics requirement (a minimum of 6 credits)
- science requirement (a minimum of 6 credits): two science courses
- humanities and social sciences requirement (a minimum of 15 credits): DES 121, DES 122, DES 231 and a minimum of six credits in social sciences courses (DES 121, DES 122 and DES 231 double count as major requirements)
- computer literacy requirement: satisfied through extensive use of computer resources throughout the visual communication curriculum
- information literacy requirement: satisfied through WRI 102 and ENG 204
For complete information on general education requirements, please refer to the Graduation Requirements section within the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog.
Major Requirements (65 credits)
In addition to the foundations courses, the following courses constitute the major requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Visual Communication degree:
• DES 231 History of Design
• VIS 201 Design Studio I
• VIS 202 Design Studio II
• VIS 213 Illustration Drawing
• VIS 221 Photography Basics
• VIS 230 Digital Media in Visual Communication
• VIS 301 Design Studio III
• VIS 302 Design Studio IV
• VIS 360 Critical Discourse in Design
• VIS 361 The Design Profession
• VIS 397 Internship in Visual Communication
• VIS 401 Design Studio V
• VIS 402 Design Studio VI
• VIS 410 Senior VisCom Studio
• VIS 420 Senior VisCom Portfolio
Internship
Internship is a requirement for graduation. Arrangements for the internships are normally made with the students in the spring semester of their third year. The internship comprises six weeks of full-time work placement (normally 240 hours) at an approved professional company during the summer of the student’s third year. A review of the student’s internship journal and feedback from the employer are the basis of passing the internship requirement.
Major Electives (minimum of 15 credits)
Students must complete at least four courses for 12 credits from the following list. This must include at least one course from the areas of illustration, printmaking and photography.
Illustration
• VIS 311 Illustration Design
• VIS 312 Illustration Genres
Printmaking
• VIS 320 Printmaking I
• VIS 322 Printmaking II
Photography
• VIS 321 Photojournalism
• VIS 323 Photography for Communication
Students must take one course from the following for a total of three credits:
• ARC 225 Islamic Art and Architecture
• MUM 310 Film Production I
• MUM 320 Web Design I
• MUM 494 Special Topics in Multimedia Design
• VIS 325 Creative Studio Photography
• VIS 494 Special Topics in Visual Communication
• VIS 496 Independent Study in Visual Communication
• any course in mass communication (MCM)
Free Electives (minimum of 9 credits)
Any courses offered at or above the 100 level.
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