Course overview

Our course provides a complete package for those wishing to work in today’s thriving digital industries. Emphasis is placed on the development, integration and management of digital media products in areas such as entertainment, business and education. You will learn the fundamentals of digital media from animation, 2D and 3D graphics, video, and media streaming, to interactive application design and development using the web as the primary platform which threads together the course elements. As technology changes and advances, the skills you learn will allow you to adapt and change alongside safeguarding your future career prospects.

We aim to create professional media producers and production managers adept at utilising all forms of digital media to create the next generation of digital artefacts. Based on industry practice and current methods, the theory and practice in the degree will equip you for a wide range of roles in this exciting and diverse area. There are also opportunities to specialise in a particular area should you wish.

You will have the opportunity to work on real projects with high profile external clients - to find out more, come along to a Preview Day.

Our course covers the whole spectrum of digital media elements and applications, including:

• 2D and 3D graphics
• animation
• human computer interaction
• website interface design
• media streaming
• standards
• digital video
• scripting for the web
• audio concepts
• latest delivery platforms

It helps to have some experience of computing and feel comfortable with computers. Any experience in design, media or communication studies, video or music technology will be a great help. Mature students are encouraged to seek an interview to discuss experience and qualifications.

Course content

Year one

During the first year you will be provided with grounding in the basic knowledge, understanding and skills required for this course. Professional issues and project management are also covered.

Units

Drawing enables you to acquire some skill in this means of communication and appreciate a wider point of view. It also teaches the valuable skill of observation.

Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues for Creative Technologies examines issues such as copyright, piracy, hacking, social engineering and codes of conduct, using real world examples and case studies, framed within the context of professional behaviour.

Introduction to Computer Graphics introduces the basic terminology, software and techniques relevant to graphic images and drawings. A range of graphic formats are studied in order to make informed selections for specific purposes. Skills in the use of two representative software packages will be developed to enable authoring of the two types of 2D image. There will also be a short introduction to 3D graphics.

Technologies for the Web provides a starting point for the web design theme that runs throughout the course. You will be introduced to the web design application Dreamweaver. The basic fundamentals of web architecture and organisation, as well as the importance of good practice will be covered too.

Scripting introduces you to programming, specifically for enhancing the functionality of web pages. The programming theme is continued in year two.

Information Design and Project Management introduces user interface design and software development project management processes.

Supporting Software provides skills in a range of software relevant to the course (typically Dreamweaver, Flash and Javascript), enabling you to produce digital artefacts for a range of purposes. This unit will continue the web theme.

Introduction to Digital Video enables you to produce digital video. It covers pre-production, production and postproduction.

Employability Skills for Creative Technologists will help you to identify your skills and how they can guide you onto a career path. You will also find out how to identify suitable jobs and how to put together a CV and accompanying letters.

Year two

During the second year you will consolidate and build upon the knowledge gained in your first year to develop professional competences and specialised skills.

Core units

Analysis and Evaluation of 3D and the Web examines different ways in which three dimensional objects and information can be represented on web pages. This is an example of creating digital media for a specific purpose.

2D Animation and Rendering explores animation concepts and 2D animation production using Flash and ActionScript.

Standards for the Web emphasises the value in conforming to international standards when producing material for worldwide distribution. It also examines the interpretation and implementation of sample standards (CSS, XML, DOM, XSLT and XPath). This unit is part of the web design theme.

Developing a Career in the Creative Industries will enable you to investigate and develop further opportunities you may want to take as a career path. This may include, for example, setting up a business, further study or working as a freelancer, and so on.

Preparatory Project for Creative Technologies allows you to develop a significant artefact and apply a range of skills acquired. Further skills are developed in preparation for the final-year projects.

Optional units

In year two there is a wide choice of optional units to study, so you will also be able to select a combination of the following:

• Digital Photographic Imaging
• Interactive Content Design
• 3D Illustration
• Web Server Programming
• Mathematics for Creative Technologies
• Student Enterprise (Planning and Delivery)

Year three

During your final year you will develop and expand your professional competencies by means of individual and group projects.

Units

Real-time Group Project is a group project running throughout the year, where small teams from different courses collaborate to create a multifaceted artefact.

Streaming Technology enables you to produce streaming media.

Contextual Analysis investigates and evaluates the social and philosophical contexts within which computer technologies exist and function.

Creative Technologies Project is an individual project that runs throughout the year, in which the knowledge and skills you have acquired are used to create a digital media product.

Streaming Media and Web Programming explores cuttingedge techniques used by programmers in the streaming media field.

Teaching and assessment

The University of Portsmouth has a long and distinguished record of running successful degree courses in both IT and business management. In addition, the south east is an important centre for the entertainment and IT industries. Our academics have also worked in entertainment and the arts, and maintain close links with the world of work locally and nationally, ensuring that the course is up-to-date.

You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory and project work. Lecture classes can be large and you will have about 12 hours of this type of contact each week, with a further two to three hours for smaller group, mainly laboratory-based sessions. Practical experience is emphasised throughout the course and you will be encouraged to put your ideas into practice, experience application software relating to the area of study, apply software packages and solve problems.

All students on the course are assigned a personal tutor at the beginning of year one and the association remains in place until graduation. Personal tutors perform a number of predefined tasks associated with personal development planning as well as offering pastoral support when required.

Assessment is geared towards the subject matter in a way that encourages a deeper understanding and allows you to develop your skills. It takes many forms and includes examinations, multiple-choice tests, essays and portfolio work, mini-projects, seminars, presentations, case studies and extended review articles.

Career prospects

The main aim of this course is to equip you with the underlying skills and knowledge to be a professional in digital media production. You will be able to work in any phase of the artefact lifecycle from analysis through design, development and deployment. Career paths include areas such as the web, mobile phones, education, business, marketing, ecommerce and industry generally.

Graduates are likely to find careers in:

• web design and development
• multimedia production
• app development
• education and training
• graphics and digital graphic design
• the application of digital media in computing and IT
• streaming media development and delivery

Facilities and features

You will have access to modern computing laboratories equipped with the latest versions of all relevant industry standard software. There are dedicated video editing suites, sound and TV studios, as well as a photographic studio, motion capture and virtual reality suites. You will be taught by expert staff with industry accreditation where relevant (such as Avid Certified Instructor status) who are dedicated to helping you achieve your full potential.

The University Library is at the centre of academic life and is only a short walk away. Open from 8am until midnight every day during term-time, it provides a variety of information to help with study and research. The library has also invested heavily in the purchase of electronic resources. There are thousands of electronic journals and ebooks that can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.

For international students we have a dedicated team of advisers to support you as you settle into life in Portsmouth and at the University. One of the team almost certainly has direct experience of your culture and may even speak your language.

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Digital Media for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).