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University of Pittsburgh    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
 
  Nov 22, 2024
 
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Digital Narrative and Interactive Design, BA/BS


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The Digital Narrative and Interactive Design (DNID) major is managed jointly by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Computing and Information. This program offers  training that builds a solid foundation in English (Writing, Composition, Film and Media Studies, and Literature), Computer Science, and Information Science.

 

Digital Narrative and Interactive Design


The Digital Narrative and Interactive Design major (DNID) harnesses the narrative, world-building, and media studies strengths of the English department and the coding, software development, and human computer interface strengths of the School of Computing and Information. It draws upon existing initiatives in game design at SCI and game studies, critical making, and media production within the English department. Students will learn how to build interactive narrative systems such as games, interactive literature, virtual reality environments and other interactive media experiences in a variety of fields. They will learn to creatively combine design with narrative, code with story. This uniquely positions majors in today’s workforce: game and interactive media design is booming in nearly every field and sector. What these positions require, and what is currently in short supply, are individuals capable of both understanding the intricacies of narrative and implementing that knowledge in the form of computational media (coded interactive systems).

Core and Upper Level Courses


Elective courses


Students must complete two elective courses from the School of Computing and Information and two elective courses from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Courses offering a depth of knowledge in pre-identified areas of interest are clustered together to provide a guide for students; Students are not required to follow nor declare a specific track.

Online Media track


Game Design track


Critical Making track


Capstone sequence


The Capstone sequence allows students to design and implement a signature project to complete the major. Students start with the design project (Project 1) and complete the sequence with the implementation project (Project 2) in consultation with their advisors. Students seeking Independent Study or Directed Study options for the capstone sequence should work with their advisors to ensure that the work done in these courses will complete the sequence.

Additional Information


Writing (W) requirement

Dietrich School students must complete at least one W-course in the major. ENGCMP 0610  fulfills this requirement.

Grade requirements

Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in all courses that apply toward the major.

Satisfactory/No Credit option

There is no limit to the number of English (ENGCMP, ENGFLM, ENGLIT, ENGWRT, FMST) courses that can be taken on the S/NC basis for this major. No School of Computing and Information courses (CMPINF, CS, INFSCI) courses may be taken on an S/NC basis.

Advising

Digital Narrative and Interactive Design is a joint undergraduate degree between the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Computing and Information. Students enrolled in each school are advised by advisors within that school.

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