Degree Programs

The University of Maryland’s Immersive Media Design (IMD) program offers two unique interdisciplinary majors that fuse the artistic expression of an Art degree with the technical mastery of a Computer Science degree.  An IMD degree provides you with the career skills and design experience to create emerging forms of digital media that move beyond a flat screen to immerse the user in new and complex virtual environments such as augmented and virtual reality, projective domes and spaces, interactive installations and sculptures, and tangible computing. Students develop skills in game development, 3D modeling and printing, motion capture, 3D scanning, virtual production, and 360-degree sound. They apply these tools to create projects ranging from video games and interactive installations to historical recreations, scientific visualizations, engineering designs and beyond.

The major has two different tracks of academic study. Track one, Computing, focuses on the implementation and creation of computer science methods used in the creation of immersive media. Track two, Emerging Creatives, focuses on content creation and concept exploration from an aesthetic and artistic standpoint. Students who complete track one will receive a B.S. in Immersive Media Design. Students who complete track two will receive a B.A. in Immersive Media Design.

General Enrollment Process

Immersive Media Design is a limited enrollment program at the university. Prospective students interested in immersive media design should indicate this when completing their online application for admission. However, your preferred major does not affect your admissibility to the university. Admitted students who selected an LEP as their major are reviewed by the specific program to determine admission to that major.

Freshmen who were accepted to a University of Maryland limited enrollment program must complete a series of courses, or gateways, and earn a minimum grade point average in order to remain in the major. Students not directly admitted to the program should visit lep.umd.edu for more information on how to apply to the major.

In the semester in which students take IMDM227, a portfolio will be submitted consisting of documentation or examples of selected artistic, digital media and computing projects. Students must also include a statement of interest in the major. Based on a review of this portfolio students will be invited to continue in the major. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all courses is required at this time.