Bachelor of Arts in Computing and the Arts

Computing and the Arts is an interdepartmental major designed for students who wish to integrate work in computing with work in one of five arts disciplines: architecture, art, history of art, music, or theater studies.For students with a computing perspective, issues in these disciplines present interesting and substantive problems: how musicians use computers to compose; the limitations of current software tools used by artists; the types of analyses done by art historians; challenges in designing and using virtual sets in the theater; ways that virtual worlds might help to envision new forms of artistic expression; and lessons that can be learned from trying to create a robotic conductor or performer.For students with an artistic perspective, computing methods offer a systematic approach to achieving their vision. A foundation in computer science allows artists to understand existing computing tools more comprehensively and to use them more effectively. Furthermore, it gives them insight into what fundamentally can and cannot be done with computers, so they can anticipate the future development of new tools for computing in their field.Requirements of the MajorTwelve term courses are required beyond the prerequisites, not including the two-term senior project. Six of the courses must be in Computer Science, including CPSC 201, 202, and 223. Students are advised to complete CPSC 202 and 223 by the end of the sophomore year. MATH 244 may be substituted for CPSC 202.The Architecture track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) ARCH 150, ARCH 200, 260, 262; (2) two elective courses from any of the three concentrations: Design; History, Theory, and Criticism; and Urban Studies ; (3) two courses from CPSC 475, 478, or 479; and (4) one additional intermediate or advanced CPSC course (excluding CPSC 490).The Art track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above, as well as a sophomore review at the School of Art: (1) two 100-level courses beyond ART 111 and 114, such as ART 132 or 145; (2) two courses in Art at the 200 or 300 level, such as ART 285 or ART 369.The History of Art track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) one introductory, 100-level, History of Art course; (2) two History of Art courses at the 200, 300, or 400 level (the courses must represent two different areas as defined in the History of Art program description).The Music track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) MUSI 315; (2) five term courses chosen from MUSI 231, S290, 125, 316, 320, 321, MUSI 409, 420, 421, 495; (3) CPSC 431; (4) CPSC 432; (5) one additional intermediate or advanced Computer Science course (excluding CPSC 490).The Theater Studies track requires the following courses in addition to the Computer Science courses listed above: (1) THST 210; (2) three courses in dramatic literature or theater history; (3) two upper-level Theater Studies production seminars in design, directing, or playwriting; (4) CPSC 431 or 432; (5) CPSC 478 or 479; (6) one additional intermediate or advanced Computer Science course (excluding CPSC 490).