Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts & Sciences

The DA&S program consists of 33 credit hours in digital arts, 10 credit hours in computer science, 12 credit hours in mathematics, and 9 more credit hours in either computer science or mathematics. 27 credit hours are in free electives, which is enough to complete a minor or second major if you so choose.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credit)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

Digital Arts and Sciences Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Digital Arts

• DA100 Introduction to Digital Art: Time and Image
• DA110 Drawing
• DA120 Element of Design
• DA140 Introduction to Digital Art: Form & Code
• DA212 Art in Context

Professional Experience

Students are required to take the following courses in their final year to apply the knowledge learned in the program:

• DA491 Professional Practice
• DA492 Senior Studies

Digital Arts and Sciences Core Electives

200-level Digital Arts Course

Students must complete two of the following courses:

• DA200 3D Digital Modeling & Imagery 
• DA225 Digital Painting & Illustration 
• DA250 Interactive & Algorithmic Art

300-level Digital Arts Course

Students must complete two of the following courses:

• DA300 3D Imagery & Animation
• DA310 Digital Object Design 
• DA320 Moving Images: Motion Graphics & Animation
• DA350 Interactive Audio/Visual 
• DA391 Special Topics: Game System Design 
• DA392 Special Topics: Digital Arts & Science 
• DA393 Special Topics: Creative Apps
• DA394 Special Topics: Designing for Website Usability
• DA395 Special Topics in Digital Arts & Science

Computer Science/Mathematics Courses for Digital Arts and Sciences

Students must complete the following courses:

Computer Science

• CS141 Intro to Computer Science I (4 credits)
• CS142 Intro to Computer Science II
• CS242 Advanced Programming Concepts in Java

Mathematics

• MA131 Calculus I
• MA230 3D Space and Projective Geometry
• MA239 Linear Algebra
• MA277 Elementary Numerical Methods

Computer Science/Mathematics Electives

Students must complete 3 more computer science (CS) and/or mathematics (MA) courses worth a total of 9 credits.

Digital Arts and Sciences Electives

Physics/Science Courses

Students must complete one of the following courses plus an additional natural science course:

• PH131 Physics I (4 credits)
• PH141 Physics for Life Sciences I (4 credits)

Statistics

Students must complete one of the following courses:

• STAT282 General Statistics
• STAT381 Probability
• STAT383 Probability & Statistics

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 15 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 27 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

As a Digital Arts & Sciences major, your work crosses disciplines. Dive into a subject, and share your findings in forums like the Montreal International Games Summit, Game Developers Conference and SIGGRAPH, among other places.

Learn more about research at Clarkson.

Creativity doesn't rest — and neither do Clarkson students, who stay busy with more than 200 student groups. You can sharpen your critic's gaze in the Anime or Film club, join the Photography/Videography Club (PoV) or keep your gaming skills on point in the Esports Club. See all of Clarkson's clubs and organizations.

Your Digital Arts & Sciences courses will take 78 credit hours to complete. You'll earn 120 credit hours in total to receive your degree. That gives you the flexibility to pursue a second major or a minor. Some minors related to the field include:

Communication

Great ideas don't speak for themselves. Learn how to reach audiences with required courses in writing, speaking, graphic design and theory. Learn about the communication minor.

Business

As a creator, you'll learn quickly how important it is to become a businessperson. In this minor, you'll study topics including accounting, economics, finance, law, organizational behavior, operations management and marketing. Learn about the business minor.

Computer Science

Technology makes it possible to bring once-impossible visions to life. In this minor, you'll build skills in programming, software engineering and data structures and algorithms. Learn about the computer science minor.

Product Development and Marketing

Explore the concepts and tools that bring new products to market — and convince people to buy them. You'll build a portfolio showcasing your ability to identify opportunities and reach consumers. Learn about the product development and marketing minor.