The BA in Web Design and Development program is designed to cater to both traditional university students as well as working professionals in multiple fields. Careers in enhancing the web user’s experience are on the rise.
Responsive web sites and mobile apps are efforts that are being undertaken by many industries and disciplines today, from healthcare to retail to virtually any industry which has a need to communicate with its stakeholders. As such, opportunities extend to recent graduates, those seeking a professional upgrade or certification, or employees seeking to “reinvent” themselves with new skill sets.
This is an interdisciplinary program designed collaboratively by faculty from the Department Art (CALS), Rhetoric and Writing (SSC), Mass Communication (SSC), Information Science (EIT) and the Information Technology Program.
The program will be administered via the Information Technology Program. Participating Faculty will meet frequently to coordinate curriculum & project-based work. Capstone Courses will be cross-listed as needed.
Student Learning Goals
completing the BA in Web Design and Development are expected to possess the following abilities at a proficient level or above at the time of graduation.
- An ability to identify and analyze user needs and to take them into account in the selection, integration, evaluation, and administration of computer-based systems.
SKIM goals addressed: Critical Thinking, Research, Oral & Written Communication. - An ability to analyze a problem, and to identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution. SKIM goals addressed: Critical Thinking, Research, Technology.
- An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the discipline. SKIM goals addressed: Critical Thinking, Technology.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences about technical information. SKIM goals addressed: Oral and Written Communication, Technology
- An ability to make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles. SKIM goal addressed: Ethical Reasoning
- An ability to function effectively on teams to establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, manage risk, and produce deliverables. SKIM goals addressed: Oral and Written Communication
- An ability to design, develop, test, and deploy responsive websites and web applications. SKIM goals addressed: ALL (Summative)
To help our students achieve these learning outcomes and objectives, the Bachelor of Arts in Web Design and Development requires a minimum of 120 total credit hours. The following curriculum sequence applies to students entering the program in Spring 2015 and afterwards.
Total Degree Hours: 120 Hours
UALR Core (35 Hrs)
- Standard Core (21 Hrs)
- EIT Core (14 Hrs)
Degree Credit Hours (70 Hrs) including Foundations, Content Courses, and Cooperative Experience.
Foundations (19 Hrs)
- IFSC 1105 – FYC Information Science
- IFSC 1310 – Web Technologies
- ARST 1310 – Basic Drawing
- ARST 1315 – Two-Dimensional Design
- ARST 2318 – Computer Applications in Art
- MCOM 2300 – Introduction to Media Production
- RHET 3326 – Technical Writing
Content Courses (45 Hrs)
- ITEC 3610 – Intro to Information Technology & Application
- ITEC 3650 – Guided Application in IT & Industry Process
- MCOM 3310 – Introduction to Web Principles and Design
- MCOM 3390 – Non-Linear Editing I
- ARST 3340 – Intro to Graphic Design
- ARST 3341 – Typography
- IFSC 3342 – Mobile Web Design
- MCOM 4340 – Digital Graphics and Animation
- ARST 4348 – Web Design
- MCOM 4385 – Advanced Web (CMS / Dreamweaver)
- RHET 4371 – Writing on the Web
- RHET 4305 – Document Design
- RHET 4372 – Usability Testing and Design
Cooperative Experience (Capstone 6 Hrs)
- ITEC 4610 – Project Development and Portfolio Defense
General Elective Hours (15 Hrs)- Choose 5 courses from the following recommended Program Electives
Information Science
- IFSC 3300 – Web Client Applications
- IFSC 4360 – Social Computing
- IFSC 4301 – Computing, Info, and Future
- IFSC 4350 – Electronic Commerce
- IFSC 3320 – Database Concepts
Art
- ARST 3385 – Vector Graphics
- ARST 3386 – Digital Imaging
- ARST 4340 – Print Design
- ARST 4341 – Package Design
Mass Communications
- MCOM 4320 – Non-Linear Editing II
- MCOM 4350 – Production and Design
Rhetoric and Writing
- RHET 4307 – Writing Software Documentation
For more information about this degree plan, contact Mr. Thomas Wallace at tswallace@ualr.edu.