Course Flow
A Graphical Depiction of the IMGD Course Flow
IMGD Course Flow (PDF)
IMGD Course Flow
The underlying philosophy of the IMGD program is balance, with substantial offerings to satisfy students with more-technical leanings (IMGD-Technical students), as well as those who lean more towards the artistic (IMGD-Artistic students). However, the structure also allows significant flexibility, so that students can emerge from the major having taken almost an even number of artistic and technical courses, or couple their IMGD coursework with a second major, should they so choose.
The early part of the curriculum (the "core") is designed to expose all IMGD students to a common foundation, and to get technical and artistic students working together from day one. The coursework allows students to begin wrestling with this emerging field immediately upon coming to WPI.
The middle part of the curriculum is designed so that artistic and technical students can acquire the necessary depth in their respective tracks to produce significant works. IMGD-Technical students take a significant number of traditional Computer Science (CS) courses, while IMGD-Artistic students take a significant number of Humanities and Arts (HUA) courses. The IQP (technology/society interaction project) is typically done in the Junior year.
The latter part of the curriculum consists of the advanced IMGD offerings, advanced CS and HUA courses, as well as the MQP capstone experience. Students should plan on doing an MQP in a team made up of both IMGD-Artistic and IMGD-Technical students.
Finally, it should be noted that this is your education, and we expect you to plan a course of study that best addresses your own educational and professional desires. We as faculty are here to help guide you, but it is up to you to plan your path through WPI.
Below is a general outline to help you plan your time at WPI. As each of you has your own backstory, the courses you take and the order in which you take them may differ significantly from this outline. It will help get you started though.
Year 1
- Two of the three IMGD core courses (IMGD 1000, IMGD 1001 or IMGD 1002)
- Art course (AR 1100)
- Computer Science course (CS 1101 or CS 1102)
- English or Writing course
- If IMGD-Tech:
- If IMGD-Art:
- Those interested in music should consider taking MU 1611
{Note that PE courses can be taken at any time during the four years}
Year 2
- Remaining IMGD core course (we recommend you take all three)
- Social and Philosophical Issues course (IMGD 2000 or IMGD 2001)
-
If IMGD-Tech:
- CS courses (including 3733)
- Final HUA course plus Practicum
-
If IMGD-Art:
- HUA courses
- Final CS, Math or Science course
- Math or Science course
- Music course (possibly MU 3613)
- Social Science course
In D-Term of Year 2, arrange IQP for Year 3. One-term IQPs may be done in any term. Three-term IQPs should be done A, B and C, or B, C and D terms
Year 3
- IQP (if on-campus, preferably in A, B and C terms)
- Social and/or Philosophical Issues course (IMGD 2000 or IMGD 2001)
- If IMGD-Tech:
- If IMGD-Art:
- Electives: IMGD, Science/Engineering, Math, Management, etc.
- Social Science course
- Math or Science course
Arrange MQP for Year 4 in C- or D-Term
Year 4
- MQP (if on-campus, preferably in A, B and C terms)
-
If IMGD-Tech:
- Finish remaining CS courses
-
If IMGD-Art:
- Finish remaining HUA courses
- Electives: IMGD, Science/Engineering, Math, Management, etc.
- Social Science course (if needed)
Job hunting or grad school applications
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: September 15, 2008 10:11:11