Postgraduate Courses
CMAA
Computational Media and Arts
- CMAA 5001Foundations of Computational Media and Arts[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course introduces students to the conceptual fundamentals of computational media and arts, technologies behind computational media and arts, and software and hardware tools used in computational media and arts production. It will cover principles of visual communication, design aesthetics, image and video synthesis, audio editing, animation and game design, etc.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the history of CMA.
- 2.Demonstrate the knowledge of the major forms and technologies of CMA.
- 3.Use open-source CMA tools.
- 4.Apply critical thinking and communication skills.
- 5.Apply artistic creation skills.
- CMAA 5002Animation Art: From Concept to Production[3-0-0:3]DescriptionFrom screenplay through post-production, students are immersed in the collaborative animation pipeline. In this course, students will utilize a variety of animation tools and techniques to tell a compelling story and experience the diverse roles within the animation industry through storyboarding, editing and completion of a short animated film.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate proficiency in applying abilities to an animation production pipeline.
- 2.Exhibit professionalism in directing a team or being directed as an artist.
- 3.Demonstrate commitment to completing the project to the highest possible standard.
- 4.Structure a compelling story and create a unique visual aesthetic through pre-production materials.
- 5.Assume a variety of production roles to achieve production deadlines and complete a fully animated, rendered and polished sequence.
- 6.Complete the post-production process, including compositing, editing and sound design.
- CMAA 5008Visual Communication[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course focuses on the arts and design of visual communication with emphasis on both theory and practice. Students will learn about the design principles and techniques in visual communication, develop good visual senses and relevant research skills that can inspire and enrich the creative and production process of projects that enable students to communicate visually and effectively.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the concepts and theories of visual communication.
- 2.Analyze the art and visual elements in communication.
- 3.Research art styles that informs future works.
- 4.Apply the skills and technique in visual communication.
- 5.Design and create projects that can communicate visually.
- CMAA 5013Interactive Storytelling[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course explores interactive storytelling as cinematic, narrative and interactive art forms. It focuses on the art and techniques of visual storytelling that can interact thematically with the audience in meaningful ways. Students will learn about the key aspects of filmmaking and can apply narrative and interactive principles to storytelling in playable media and platform.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the concepts and theories of narrative and interactivity.
- 2.Analyze the arts and techniques of cinematic interactive storytelling.
- 3.Conduct research that informs future works.
- 4.Apply the skills and techniques to interactive storytelling.
- 5.Design and create interactive narrative project.
- CMAA 50143D Computer Animation[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course examines the practice and theory of 3D computer graphics in the context of visual arts. Students will acquire the technical skills of both traditional 3D animation software programs as well as emerging real-time 3D engines, and gain a critical understanding of its technology and history. Technical instructions will be given to cover all aspects of 3D animation production, including modeling, texturing, shading, animation, lighting, and rendering. Both pioneering and emerging artists working with 3D computer images will be introduced. Lectures and discussions on other related media, including photography, film, sculpture, and installation art will also be included.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Use 3D animation software and game engine for various creative art projects.
- 2.Plan for complex 3D animation projects.
- 3.Demonstrate a critical understanding of the social implications of 3D computer.
- 4.Apply skills in 3D animation and game engine to different industries.
- 5.Critique the aesthetic and philosophical aspects of 3D rendering.
- 6.Demonstrate confidence in future studies in animation, game and VR.
- CMAA 5015Introduction to Interactive Art[2-1-0:3]DescriptionThis course serves as an introduction to understanding interactive art and the new media art scene in general. The class gives an overview of art history concerning active audience involvement in an artwork: starting from the roots of interactive art (such as Futurism, Dada, Fluxus movements) until the future scenarios in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Apart from references and history, the course contributes to critical thinking, reflection, contextualization, and understanding different types of audience interaction modes and interfaces. The core principles and methodologies of interaction design will be introduced. In addition to that, the problematics of preservation and also presentation of the interactive artworks in the exhibition space will be addressed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Explain the history of interactive art
- 2.Analyze different types of interactions
- 3.Know the toolset of interactive art practitioner
- 4.Demonstrate the knowledge of interface design
- 5.Know how to apply critical thinking, research tools and communication skills
- CMAA 5016Programming for Computational Media and Arts[2-1-0:3]BackgroundStudents are expected to have some basic programming experience. Students without relevant experience will be provided with some basic preparatory material.DescriptionThis course introduces students to programming for computational media and arts. Students learn the principles, algorithms and coding frameworks for creating graphics, sound and interaction with machines while also sharpening their sense of aesthetics. Each week, the relevant computational artworks employing these techniques are introduced, analyzed and discussed.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate an understanding of creative coding frameworks.
- 2.Demonstrate the ability to develop and expand on creative coding techniques and algorithms.
- 3.Use machine learning and computer vision techniques for artists.
- 4.Apply critical thinking and communication skills.
- 5.Apply artistic creation skills.
- CMAA 5017AR/VR/MR/XR: Concepts, Theory and Techniques[3-0-0:3]DescriptionThis course introduces students to the concepts, theories, and interaction techniques in AR/VR/MR/XR. It covers both the fundamental concepts and design theories and the state-of-the-art interaction techniques in the field. In addition, students will work independently or in teams to design, develop, and evaluate AR/VR/MR/XR prototypes. In sum, by the end of the class, students will have a solid grasp of the fundamental concepts, design principles and research gaps in AR/VR/MR/XR and gain hands-on experience in designing and evaluating AR/VR/MR/XR prototypes.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Grasp fundamental concepts and interaction techniques in VR/AR
- 2.Apply design principles and methods to create VR/AR prototypes
- 3.Apply user-centered methods to evaluate VR/AR prototypes
- 4.Identify research gaps in the VR/AR literature
- 5.Create and evaluate VR/AR prototypes
- CMAA 6018Independent Study[3-0-0:3]DescriptionAn independent research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills of an area related to computational media and arts.
- CMAA 6101Computational Media and Arts Program Seminar I[0 credit]DescriptionA regular series of seminars presenting research problems currently under investigation. Graded P or F.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate the knowledge of the arts, technology, and trends in CMA.
- CMAA 6102Computational Media and Arts Program Seminar II[0-1-0:1]DescriptionA regular series of seminars presenting research problems currently under investigation. Graded P or F.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Demonstrate the knowledge of the arts, technology, and trends in CMA.
- CMAA 6990MPhil Thesis ResearchDescriptionMaster's thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply advanced technology to artistic creation and demonstrate critical thinking and creative thinking skills.
- 2.Communicate research results effectively in written and oral presentations.
- CMAA 7990Doctoral Thesis ResearchDescriptionOriginal and independent doctoral thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- 1.Apply state-of-the-art technology to artistic creation and demonstrate critical thinking and creative thinking skills.
- 2.Conduct cross-disciplinary research in CMA.
- 3.Communicate research results effectively in written and oral presentations.
