Courses

This course will introduce students to the fundamental frameworks for the design of popular digital media environments. Specifically, the course will analyze formative elements and strategies adopted in game design, social networking and interactive digital media systems, including interaction design with a variety of devices, platforms and media. Key components explored include user engagement, immersion, visual narrative, interactive storytelling, performance, user cognition and perception. Students will develop a solid understanding of how these environments work, inclusive of alternative design strategies, how users interact, and what is required to create such environments. Students will perform project work in small teams.

1 Credit

This course is available to graduate students who wish to gain knowledge in a specific area for which no graduate-level courses are available. The course is taken under the guidance of a faculty member, and students are required to present a formal report, or take a formal examination, at the end of the course. The program of study must be approved by the supervising faculty member and the program director at the beginning of the term of study.

1 Credit

This course offers students the opportunity to conceptualize, collaborate, and create a podcast in 12 weeks. Students will actively explore strategies to create compelling show ideas, considering format, frequency, distribution, and marketing. Students will utilize frameworks to deeply understand an audience, as well as craft creative assets that support the podcast’s content. Various high tech and low tech tools and techniques will be explored.

1 Credit

This master's-level course offers an in-depth exploration of digital/analog fabrication techniques and craft with a dual focus on additive and subtractive processes. Students will learning about the theory of making and gain hands-on experience with a wide range of fabrication tools, including 3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting, flatbed UV printing, and traditional woodworking and metalworking techniques. Through project-based learning, participants will investigate the material, technical, and formal implications of each method, developing a critical understanding of their potential, limitations, and operational order. Emphasis will be placed on craft, material behaviour, machine calibration/tolerances, and hybrid fabrication strategies that integrate both additive and subtractive techniques

The course encourages experimental approaches while grounding students in industry-relevant practices. Students will be expected to produce a series of components that culminate in a f inal assembly, demonstrating their ability to synthesize digital design with advanced fabrication methods

1 Credit

Field Placements provide opportunities for full time, non-practitioner students to earn academic credit for relevant work experience (paid or unpaid), normally outside the university. They must be related to Digital Media and to the student’s learning objectives in the program. Field Placements offer students the opportunity to link theory with practice, to conduct research, to learn about professional practices in organizations in the field of digital media and to gain work experience.

1 Credit

This course explores video game design, examining what makes games engaging, fun, and effective for training participants. It covers theoretical perspectives on core mechanics, narrative, character, and aesthetics through practical application, including building game iterations and full game loops.

1 credit

Digital media professionals need to communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively and work with teams of creative, technical, and business people. Building effective interdisciplinary teams requires skills in improvisation, listening effectively, engaging diverse audiences, and inviting and resolving conflicts. This interactive, workshop-based course focuses on interpersonal communication skills and public speaking. For greater self-awareness and improvement, course speeches are digitally recorded.

1 Credit.

This course is available to graduate students who wish to gain knowledge in a specific area for which no graduate-level courses are available. The course is taken under the guidance of a faculty member, and students are required to present a formal report, or take a formal examination, at the end of the course. The program of study must be approved by the supervising faculty member and the program director at the beginning of the term of study.

1 Credit

In this course, students will work together to co-develop a game in a game studio format, using software engineering principles. Students will take on specialized roles within the class and, over the course of five Sprints, iteratively develop a polished game ready for publication.

1 Credit

This course explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and interactive media, focusing on developing creative and innovative experiences.

Students will delve into the design and implementation of AI-driven interactive experiences, including interactive fiction, artificial characters, avatars, and AI tools themselves. Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on prototypes, participants will gain a deep understanding of how AI can enhance and transform user interactions in creative contexts.

The course will cover key concepts in machine learning, natural language processing, and interaction design, with an emphasis on their application in imaginative and engaging digital experiences.

Students will learn to critically analyze existing AI-driven interactive systems, identify opportunities for innovation, explore ethical considerations, and develop their own creative prototypes that push the boundaries of what's possible in this rapidly evolving field.

By the end of the course, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of the ethical, technical, and design considerations involved in crafting AI-enhanced interactive experiences.

1 Credit

Field Placements provide opportunities for full time, non-practitioner students to earn academic credit for relevant work experience (paid or unpaid), normally outside the university. They must be related to Digital Media and to the student’s learning objectives in the program. Field Placements offer students the opportunity to link theory with practice, to conduct research, to learn about professional practices in organizations in the field of digital media and to gain work experience.

1 Credit.

This course provides an intensive overview including the history and evolution of themed environments and attractions, design objectives and approaches, industry structure and professional spectrum, and innovation framework. Lectures, seminars, readings, tours, guests, and field trip options will be adapted to student interests. Students will explore, develop, and present or demonstrate a topic of interest related to ride, show, or guest experience.

1 Credit

This structured experiential learning opportunity allows students to focus on a project within one of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zones. Students will improve their knowledge through engaged experiential learning while developing their social and collaborative skills. Students will set milestones with the instructor based on their personal interests and project needs, meet regularly to determine progress and adjustments, discuss relevant theories and methodologies in class, and share accountability-rep.

1 Credit

Technology and User interfaces are changing dynamically. It is critical for designers to understand a tested design process that can be used for emerging technologies. This course uses design thinking models, creative techniques and software to empathize with the end user, define the problem, ideate possible solutions, prototype a minimum viable product (MVP) and iterate after user testing. This project-based course introduces students to the process involved when taking a project from concept stage all the way to hand-off for development. Students will learn to use design tools to convey design solutions in the form of a MVP using techniques and industry standards (e.g. Nielsen Norman principles.) Each assignment of this course is a component of the final assignment, an interactive Minimum Viable Product.

1 Credit

This course is available to graduate students who wish to gain knowledge in a specific area for which no graduate-level courses are available. The course is taken under the guidance of a faculty member, and students are required to present a formal report, or take a formal examination, at the end of the course. The program of study must be approved by the supervising faculty member and the program director at the beginning of the term of study.

1 Credit

This course is designed for students who wish to gain comprehensive skills in 3D modeling for game environments, with a focus on mastering the Physically Based Rendering (PBR) pipeline and importing assets into Unreal Engine. By the end of the course, students will have created a detailed environment asset, textured it using PBR materials, and imported it into Unreal Engine for use in a game-ready scene.

1 Credit

This course introduces emerging technologies shaping the future of digital media, with an emphasis on real-time workflows, creative experimentation, and accessible production methods. Designed for students at the beginning of their technical journey, the course provides hands-on experience with tools such as game engines, photogrammetry, motion capture, and generative AI leveraging both professional software and mobile-friendly, free-to-use platforms to lower barriers to entry.

Throughout the course, students will explore a wide range of production techniques while engaging in critical discussions around the ethical, philosophical, and cultural impacts of these evolving technologies. The term culminates in a self-directed final project, developed in either Unreal Engine or using generative AI tools, showcasing the student’s creative and technical growth.

1 Credit

This course will focus on strategic and novel topics and concepts in Digital Media which may include, but are not limited to: Ambient and Artificial Intelligence, Social Networking Analysis and Design, Social Media and its Frameworks, Advanced Concepts in 3D Graphics and Visual Effects, Multimedia Syndication and Segmentation and Unified Communications in Multimedia Systems, and Information Security and Privacy.

1 Credit

Field Placements provide opportunities for full time, non-practitioner students to earn academic credit for relevant work experience (paid or unpaid), normally outside the university. They must be related to Digital Media and to the student’s learning objectives in the program. Field Placements offer students the opportunity to link theory with practice, to conduct research, to learn about professional practices in organizations in the field of digital media and to gain work experience.

1 Credit.

From the first moment a human picked up a stick and attempted to knock down some food from an unreachable location we have attempted to use technology to extend our influence in the world. This course will examine physical systems designed to extend the notion of human presence to remote locations. Topics may include Presence, Telepresence, Tele-robotics and Agency. The course is designed to provide students with a practical introduction to HRI that will involve the design and construction of working robotic systems designed to interact with remote environments. Prerequisite: CPS607 or permission of the instructor.

1 Credit

This structured experiential learning opportunity allows students to focus on a project within one of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Zones. Students will improve their knowledge through engaged experiential learning while developing their social and collaborative skills. Students will set milestones with the instructor based on their personal interests and project needs, meet regularly to determine progress and adjustments, discuss relevant theories and methodologies in class, and share accountability-rep.

1 Credit

In this comprehensive course, students will gain a profound understanding of the design principles and development considerations that encompass virtual reality (VR), augmented reality AR), and mixed reality (MR) applications, but also delve into the fundamentals of crafting virtual environments for immersive experiences. Students will also gain understanding of the considerations for designing shared and collaborative VR experiences for VR projection environments. Throughout this course, participants will have access to an array of cutting-edge resources, including Quest VR headsets, tablets, Holographic Displays, and the Immersion Studio within the TMU Library, all of which will be instrumental in testing and developing applications tied to their final XR immersive projects.

1 Credit