DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media
'The College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University (formerly the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems) is located in Chicago, Illinois, United States.  The college is organized into three schools: the School of Cinematic Arts, which is home to the animation and cinema programs; the School of Computing, which houses programs in computer and information sciences; and the School of Design, which houses programs in game design, user experience design, and digital communication and media arts. The college is part of DePaul University’s Loop Campus.

History

The College of Computing and Digital Media originated as the Department of Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1981 with Helmut Epp as its founding chairman. That same year, the department moved into 243 South Wabash Ave., one of three buildings that DePaul University had purchased shortly before and named as part of its Loop Campus. On 1 July 1995, the department was established as a freestanding school within DePaul, the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems. 

Initial degree offerings by the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems included undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems, and Software Engineering. The school also offered a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems jointly with the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems and DePaul's College of Commerce.

Over the next several years, the school added several undergraduate and graduate programs in computer science-related fields, as well as joint degree programs with other colleges at DePaul. In 2000-2001, the school expanded into graphics/animation with the BS in Computer Graphics and Animation. BS and BA programs in digital cinema were introduced during the 2003-2004 academic year. As the school became a prominent provider of technology arts degrees in addition to computer science and information technology degrees, it was renamed to better reflect its program offerings.

From the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems to College of Computing and Digital Media

On April 15, 2008 the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems changed its name to the College of Computing and Digital Media. The college was then organized into two schools: the School of Computing and the School of Cinema & Interactive Media. In 2015, a third school, the School of Design, was added.

Academics

The school’s original name — Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Systems — denotes three prominent degree programs at the time of its founding in 1995. Over the years, the school has become a prominent provider of technology arts degrees in such disciplines as cinema, animation, and game design and programming. CDM's Film & Television program is the most popular undergraduate major at DePaul. 

The college offers 18 undergraduate, 24 graduate, and 2 PhD programs, as well as several joint degrees with other colleges at DePaul University.CDM currently enrolls approximately 5,000 students. 

CDM has nationally ranked programs in film, animation, gaming, and graphic design. DePaul has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity for academic years 2014-2021 by the United States Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency.

CDM students developed the popular computer game Octodad. In 2015, animation student Carter Boyce was the school’s first recipient of a Student Academy Award for his film Die Flucht.

The Institute for Professional Development 

Continuing education and certificate programs are offered by the college’s Institute for Professional Development (IPD). IPD has various programs in Big Data and Data Science Technologies, Cloud Computing Technologies, Database Technologies, Management, Network Technologies, Software Development, and Special Topics in IT.

Course OnLine

Course OnLine is the College of Computing and Digital Media's customized technology for the capture and rebroadcast of classroom activity. The system captures four components: audio, video, PC screen, and Whiteboard. Within two hours of the end of a class, the pieces are synchronized and uploaded to Desire2Learn, a course management system through which instructors may post announcements, assignments, course notes, and various other supplements to the lecture content. While Course OnLine is frequently used by students to take an entire class on the Internet, it also provides a supplement for traditional classroom students, allowing them to replay the classroom lecture throughout the term of the course.

References

DePaul University
Computer science departments in the United States