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To view the Fall 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/fall.html.
Digital Media
Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, Emily Carr University of Art + Design and the British Columbia Institute of Technology collaborate on the master of digital media (MDM), a full-time professional graduate program offering team-based learning in close collaboration with the digital media industry. The program is offered at the Centre for Digital Media. For further information visit https://thecdm.ca.
This intensive 16-month program engages students through coursework and projects to develop essential communication, collaboration & leadership skills. The unique curriculum meets the needs of the new and expanding digital media markets across all business verticals including healthcare, education, business and the entertainment industry. Graduates gain the skills and knowledge that help them to collaborate and communicate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
The program helps develop six core competencies valued in the digital media industry:
- Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Leading and Managing
- Communication
- Ideating and Innovating
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar.
The minimum standards will be those of Simon Fraser University, as described in the Graduate General Regulations, 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 the master of digital media (MDM) degree. Applications received by the deadline are reviewed and approved by the graduate program committee.
Minimum Standard Entrance Requirements
Applicants must have completed a 4 year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) acceptable to all four Centre for Digital Media Partner Institutions in a field related to digital media, for example:
Computer science, engineering, education, management, economics, communication, art, design or performing arts, art history, architecture, linguistics, psychology or philosophy.
Note: If applying from another related discipline, applicants must make the case for the relationship between the discipline in which they hold their previous degree and this program and how they would benefit from the MDM program.
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at a Canadian university, or equivalent, for the undergraduate degree. Minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% or higher) in 3rd and 4th year courses,
or:
- Academic standing with at least 12 units of 3rd and 4th year courses in the A range (80% or higher) in the field of study,
or:
- Applicants who hold a 4 year undergraduate degree, who do not meet the requirements experience may be granted admission on the recommendation of the MDM program.
Three reference letters from suitably qualified persons.
Letter of intent
Short formal essay
Resume
Samples of work that best demonstrate skills
Introduction video
Additional Admission 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 (1.3.3 English Language Competence) for minimum language requirements and further information.
Note that the minimum English language test scores required for this program are higher than the minimum test scores accepted for entry into Graduate Studies at SFU. For details, visit the Centre for Digital Media website.
Interview
Candidates who are being considered for admission will be required to attend an interview during the latter stages of the admission process.
Program Requirements
This program consists of required courses, an elective course, projects, and an internship for a minimum of 51 units.
Students must complete all of
The emergence and ongoing development of the digital media landscape is discussed through a historical exploration and critical analysis of the business, technical innovations, social, ethical, and legal demands which define it. Outcomes are critical perspectives from explorations of digital media aspects, which will act as a common basis for all subsequent discussion and collaboration between students with artistic, technical or interdisciplinary backgrounds.
This course provides students with the practical skills to improve collaboration with others, for the end goal of creating successful projects together. From improving their performance in team based scenarios and developing strong presentation skills, to creating stories and characters on the fly, improvisation is an essential skill in a digital media industry that demands increasing flexibility and creativity, relies on innovative minds for its evolution and depends on rapid prototyping and iterative product creation for its survival.
Game design and gamification explores what motivates people, what constitutes “fun”, and how through these principles we can create more meaningful and engaging experiences. Primarily, we will focus on video games, ranging from indie to AAA, mobile to VR, to understand the core concepts of game design and discuss how these can be applied to other interactive forms through gamification. We will cover various aspects of games including mechanics, emotion, agency, balance, and player motivation through practical in-class activities, game deconstructions, and projects. In these projects, students will work in teams to design, prototype, and test their own games, with a focus on user-centered design and iteration. Projects will be iterative, with multiple rounds of feedback and revision, and will culminate in a final presentation where students will present their games to the class and invited guests.
and two of*
Normally a student would take at most one directed studies course during their degree. Directed studies offered within the program will be approved by the MDM Program Committee to essentially the same criteria required for approval of a new elective. If approved, this course can be taken in place of an elective.
and three projects
Building Virtual Worlds is the first project course. Teams of students from different backgrounds and disciplines design and implement a digital artifact. These projects have an explicit role in teaching human-centered iterative design, project management, team collaboration, and project execution skills. This hands-on immersion into a team-based problem solving environment is designed to break down student inhibitions and to foster rapid project planning and prototyping.
Projects II cohesively builds on the Project I experience with increasingly complex technical, artistic and management challenges. Projects II is an independent, term length team-based project working with an external client and/or collaborators. Students learn, experience, and execute iterative processes through team collaboration and prototype/proof of concept delivery. Prerequisite: DMED 520 with a grade of B or higher.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
|
|
As a capstone course, Projects III cohesively builds on the Project II experience with increasingly complex technical, artistic and management challenges. Projects III is an independent, term length team-based project working with an external client and/or collaborators. Projects may include student-led pitches. Students learn, experience, and execute iterative processes through team collaboration and prototype/proof of concept delivery at a high level of professionalism. Prerequisite: DMED 521 with a grade of B or higher.
and an internship
Students will practice what they have learned in the MDM program through the pursuit and/or completion of full-time work experience in the field of digital media. Students learn firsthand the importance of effective job search, interview, networking, communication, collaboration, time management and teamwork skills. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
This course is a continuation of DMED 530. Students will practice what they have learned in the MDM program through the pursuit and/or completion of full-time work experience in the field of digital media. Students learn firsthand the importance of effective job search, interview, networking, communication, collaboration, time management and teamwork skills. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: DMED 530.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 |
Isabelle Clamagirand |
TBD |
* Students may take DMED 540 as an elective twice for 6 units. With approval of the MDM director, a course from a partner university, or other university, may be substituted for the elective course.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in four terms. If the internship is extended to eight months then students are expected to complete the program requirements in five terms.
Other Information
There is an option to extend the internship to eight months. Students who choose to do an eight month internship will enroll in DMED 531 and receive their final grade at the end of the term.
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.