COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – A traditional University of Colorado at Colorado Springs strength in computer engineering will combine with emerging technologies in game design, animation, digital content creation, wearable computing, and virtual reality to create new opportunities for students.
Beginning this fall, students within the master’s of engineering program at UCCS will have the option of studying within a media convergence, games and media integration program. The program includes a portfolio requirement which is expected to be an interdisciplinary effort between the departments of Computer Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Theatreworks, Psychology and local industry.
“Our ultimate goal is to integrate computer technology with human interaction and create better human-human communication,” Sudhanshu Semwal, professor, Computer Science, said. “We can use computers to improve the human condition.”
Under Semwal’s direction, students will complete a portfolio of work that allows them to explore areas such as game creation, digital special effects, virtual reality and “wearable” computers in cooperation with other academic areas of the university. The portfolio is in addition to regular coursework required in the Master of Engineering program.
“I believe we have the ability to create devices that can help people with memory loss or other cognitive dysfunctions,” Semwal said. “While this program includes much more, this is the area about which I am most passionate about.”
By linking with the UCCS Department of Psychology, Semwal hopes students in the Games and Media Integration Program will have the opportunity to work with geropsychology students as well as to work with others in fields different than computer science.
“We have the ability to create beautiful scenery and backgrounds in computer animation,” Semwal said. “Computer technology could forever change the way classic theater is performed here and around the globe. Instead of building sets with lumber, we’ll build them on the computer and project them.”
For more information and/or enrolling in the program, visit http://www.cs.uccs.edu/~semwal/GMI/index.htm or contact Semwal at [email protected].
UCCS, located on Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs, is the fastest growing university in Colorado, and one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. The University offers 29 bachelor’s degrees, 18 master’s, and four doctoral degrees. The campus enrolls about 7,600 students.