Virtual Technology and Design (B.S.)
This is a four-year curriculum leading to a B.S. in Virtual Technology and Design (VTD). After the first year of study, academic achievement is reviewed to determine eligibility for continued study in VTD. Only students with a 2.5 or higher grade-point average are eligible to continue in the studio sequence. Another review is conducted at the end of the second year of study. Applicants to the second and third year are required to submit an electronic media based portfolio containing examples of their art and design work. Applicants should contact the program coordinator regarding acceptable media formats. The submission should also contain a transcript of any college work outside the UI. The deadline for third year applications is the close of the spring semester. Results of the evaluation will be made known to applicants by the end of June. Students accepted into the third and fourth years of the curriculum are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and to receive a grade of C or higher in all required VTD courses.
Note: Students who have not been accepted into the second year of the curriculum may not enroll in VTD 2000-level design courses. Students who have not been accepted into the third year of the curriculum may not enroll in VTD 3000-level design courses. Students who have left the program or fail a design studio course may only re-enter the curriculum by application to the program admissions committee.
Required course work includes the university requirements (see regulation J-3) and:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| VTD 1010 | Introduction to Virtual Reality | 3 |
| ART 1210 | Integrated Design Process | 3 |
| VTD 1510 | Virtual World Building 1 | 2 |
| VTD 1520 | Virtual World Building 2 | 2 |
| VTD 1530 | Virtual World Building 3 | 2 |
| VTD 1540 | Virtual World Building 4 | 2 |
| CS 1120 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| or VTD 2470 | Intro to Scripting and Parametric Design | |
| PHYS 1111 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 1111L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| VTD 2010 | History & Theory of VR | 3 |
| VTD 2450 | Advanced Modeling | 3 |
| VTD 2460 | Advanced Lighting and Materials | 3 |
| VTD 2530 | Virtual Design I | 3 |
| VTD 2540 | Virtual Design II | 3 |
| VTD 2710 | Cross-Reality Technology I | 3 |
| VTD 3010 | Theory & Applications of VR | 3 |
| VTD 3550 | Virtual Design III | 4 |
| VTD 3560 | Virtual Design IV | 4 |
| VTD 3670 | Animation and Visual Effects | 3 |
| VTD 3720 | Cross-Reality Technology 2 | 3 |
| VTD 4000 | Seminar 1 | 3 |
| VTD 4570 | Capstone Design Studio I | 6 |
| VTD 4580 | Capstone Design Studio II | 6 |
| History or Theory Courses | ||
| Advisor-Approved History or Theory course 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Electives | ||
| Select three Directed Elective Courses 3 | 8-9 | |
| Total Hours | 83-84 | |
Courses to total 120 credits for this degree
- 1
Take VTD 4000 or advisor approved 4000-level History/Theory Course (3cr).
- 2
Course must be associated with the disciplines of architecture, art, film, media, music or theatre, with approval of the VTD program.
- 3
Elective courses that allow a student to develop an emphasis area or breadth in a supporting discipline, with approval of VTD program.
| Fall Term 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1210 | Integrated Design Process | 3 |
| ENGL 1101 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| MATH 1143 | Precalculus I: Algebra | 3 |
| VTD 1010 | Introduction to Virtual Reality | 3 |
| VTD 1510 | Virtual World Building 1 | 2 |
| VTD 1520 | Virtual World Building 2 | 2 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| ENGL 1102 | Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| PHYS 1111 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 1111L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| VTD 1530 | Virtual World Building 3 | 2 |
| VTD 1540 | Virtual World Building 4 | 2 |
| Humanities and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course Art 1100 suggested | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| VTD 2450 | Advanced Modeling | 3 |
| VTD 2460 | Advanced Lighting and Materials | 3 |
| VTD 2530 | Virtual Design I | 3 |
| Scientific Ways of Knowing Course | 4 | |
| Oral Communication Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| CS 1120 or VTD 2470 | Computer Science I or Intro to Scripting and Parametric Design | 4 |
| VTD 2540 | Virtual Design II | 3 |
| VTD 2710 | Cross-Reality Technology I | 3 |
| Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fall Term 3 | ||
| VTD 2010 | History & Theory of VR | 3 |
| VTD 3550 | Virtual Design III | 4 |
| VTD 3720 | Cross-Reality Technology 2 | 3 |
| Directed, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| International Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Term 3 | ||
| VTD 3010 | Theory & Applications of VR | 3 |
| VTD 3560 | Virtual Design IV | 4 |
| VTD 3670 | Animation and Visual Effects | 3 |
| Directed, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fall Term 4 | ||
| VTD 4000 | Seminar | 3 |
| VTD 4570 | Capstone Design Studio I | 6 |
| American Experience Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring Term 4 | ||
| VTD 4580 | Capstone Design Studio II | 6 |
| Directed, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| History or Theory, Major Elective Course | 3 | |
| Elective Course | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
The degree map is a guide for the timely completion of your curricular requirements. Your academic advisor or department may be contacted for assistance in interpreting this map. This map is not reflective of your academic history or transcript and it is not official notification of completion of degree or certificate requirements. Please contact the Registrar's Office regarding your official degree/certificate completion status.
Students find their path(s) as an emerging designer, builder, storyteller and researcher in U of I's Virtual Technology and Design program.
VTD students create virtual experiences to transform the way people across the globe work and play.
They use technology-enabled design skills to build a portfolio of projects showing their ability to solve complex problems in industry, healthcare, and build the next generation of entertainment.
In our interdisciplinary curriculum, students learn to innovate and add value to existing applications of technology through hands-on experience in digital design and virtual design with real clients to prepare for their career.
Students learn to create virtual technologies for gaming, animated films, simulations, business and education and other applications while studying art and design, computer science, animation, storytelling and much more.