M.S. in Technology

Graphic Information Technology concentration

The Master of Science in Technology, Graphic Information Technology concentration, differs from traditional Information Technology (IT), Computer Science (CS), Computer Information Systems (CIS), or Management of Information Systems (MIS) programs.

Applicants for the Master's degree in GIT are expected to have an academic background in graphics or significant work experience within the graphics field. Applicants who do not have a graphics background will be expected to complete undergraduate course deficiencies to establish a graphic skill base.

All candidates for the Master of Science in Technology degree program are required to complete 33 semester hours (eleven courses) of graduate credit. Both thesis and directed project options are offered. Both thesis and directed project adhere to the format manual of the Graduate College.

Two courses are required of all MS/GIT students:

  • OMT 549 (Research Techniques and Applications), generally taken the semester before anticipated graduation

  • TMC 593 (Directed Project) or TMC 599 (Thesis), generally taken in the semester of graduation

The remaining nine courses are determined by the student in consultation with an advisor. A minimum of five courses must be in Graphic Information. Each student is encouraged to develop a related area of up to four courses.

Of the 33 total semester hours, 27 must be 500-level. Six hours may be at the 400-level. Additional courses may be assigned by the graduate committee depending on the background of the candidate. See the ASU course catalog and specify graduate level.

Each student completes an interactive program of study (iPOS) during the second semester of enrollment. At that time, a graduate thesis or directed project advisor (committee chair) and two committee members are identified. The advisor and one committee member must hold faculty rank in the Department of Technology Management; the advisor (committee chair) must hold professorial rank.

Only eleven (11) graduate courses appear on the iPOS. Nine semester hours (three courses) taken before admission to the graduate program may be transferred into the degree and listed at the time of submission. These courses may be from within or external to Arizona State University. See the iPOS page in the Graduate Catalog.

 

Thesis Option

  • Technical area of emphasis: 18 semester hours
  • Supporting area: 6 semester hours
  • Research course: 3 semester hours
  • Research: 6 semester hours
  • Total minimum for degree completion: 33 semester hours
The thesis option is appropriate for someone intending to eventually continue their education in a doctoral program and is usually a statistically-based investigation that tests a hypothesis related to an issue in graphics. Theses are submitted to the Graduate College for final approval.

Required Courses:

  • OMT 549 Research Techniques and Applications
  • TMC 599 Thesis

 

Directed Project Option

  • Technical area of emphasis: 18 semester hours
  • Supporting area: 9 semester hours
  • Research course: 3 semester hours
  • Research: 3 semester hours
  • Total minimum for degree completion: 33 semester hours
The directed project option is appropriate for someone intending to manage graphic functions in business, industry, education, or the government and usually solves a practicable problem by the application of current technologies. Directed projects are approved by the student’s graduate committee.

Required Courses:

  • OMT 549 Research Techniques and Applications
  • TMC 593 Directed Project

 

Courses Associated With This Degree

Please note:

  • GIT courses are offered such that a student has access to the entire course list during a normal period of study. Some courses may be offered in alternate semesters; other courses may be offered based on demand.
  • Always consult the current ASU schedule of courses to determine availability, meeting times, locations and prerequisites.
  • Permission of instructor is required for courses without schedule line numbers.

Click on each of these sample course names for more information. Visit the ASU Class Search for availability of courses.

Course Legend

  • Click on each course configuration for more information.
  • Fully Online
    Class does not meet face-to-face; all instruction and testing is done online; all supplementary material is available online; all assignments are submitted online.
  • Flexibly Online
    Class meets face-to-face with all instructional and evaluation materials available online; student has the option to attend class as needed or complete course requirements online as desired.
  • Mostly Online
    Class may meet face-to-face as needed; all or the majority of instruction and examination is online; all or the majority of assignments are submitted online.
  • Some Online
    Class meets face-to-face for instruction and examination. Some supplementary material is available online; some assignments are submitted in class while others must be submitted online.
  • Little Online
    Class meets face-to-face for instruction and examination. Syllabus and schedule of instruction are available online; instruction is delivered and assignments submitted in class.
  • No Online
    Class meets face-to-face in a traditional classroom for all instruction, examination, and assignment submission.
  • No Class
    Class does not meet at a regularly scheduled time. Contact your instructor.

GIT 417 Advanced Internet Programming

  • Description: Uses industry-standard programming languages and techniques to create interactive graphic information Web sites and applications.

GIT 494 Advanced Commercial Photography


GIT 537 Current Issues in Quality Assurance

  • Description: Directed group study of selected issues relating to quality assurance in the printing, publishing, and information industry.

GIT 538 Personnel Development for the Graphic Industry

  • Description: Employee training and development specific to production and management in the graphics industry.

GIT 540 Cross-Media Design Solutions

  • Description: Examines universal design theory, creative problem solving, and case study applications for print and new media products of the graphics industry.

GIT 541 Graphic Information Systems

  • Description: Graphic information systems common to the workplace; graphic user interfaces for online databases, geographic, industrial, architectural, and management applications.

GIT 542 Information Design and Usability

  • Description: A hybrid of design and technology solutions focusing on how information is organized graphically to communicate, and how usability engineering is applied to human factors.

GIT 598 Multimedia Authoring, Scripting, and Production

  • Description: Production of multimedia projects using industry-standard authoring applications: project management, client considerations, and project documentation; user interface design, interactivity, media, and databases.

GIT 598 Web Site Design & Web/Internet Technologies

  • Description: Web site design, authoring, standards, protocols, tools, and development techniques for commercial client-sided Web-based graphic information systems.

GIT 598 Graphics Industry Business Practices

  • Description: Business practices related to press/prepress/Web industries; trade customs, cost analysis, marketing and management approaches.

GIT 598 Color Reproduction Systems

  • Description: Scientific analysis for the engineering of color reproduction systems and color models used in the graphics industry.

GIT 598 Management of Web Technologies


GIT 598 Personnel Development for the Graphic Industries

  • Description: Employee training and development specific to production and management in the graphics industry.

GIT 598 Digital Workflow in Graphic Industries

  • Description: Analyzes digital production systems for input, assembly, and output of graphic information to print and Web, including networking and job tracking.

GIT 598 Gravure Technologies

  • Description: In-depth study of the market profile and production sequences related to the gravure method of printing.

GIT 598 Web Management and E-Commerce

  • Description: Technologies for planning, creating, and delivering individual and group presentations.

GIT 598 Graphic Information Systems

  • Description: Graphic information systems common to the workplace: graphic user interfaces for online databases, geographic, industrial, architectural, and management applications.

GIT 598 Professional Portfolio Design and Presentation

  • Description: Digital media portfolio design and production: planning, audience analysis, media selection, authoring, media formats, production, copyright considerations, marketing, and delivery.

GIT 598 Computer Animation

  • Description: 2-D and 3-D computer animation methods: project planning, scripting, storyboards, advanced modeling, lighting, materials mapping, and motion.

GIT 494 New Media Internet Technologies (Special Topics)

  • Description: Explores the technology behind new media on the Web, including social and collaborative media. Emphasis is on how, why and when these technologies can be optimally utilized.

GIT 598 Technical Foundations

 

For more information about this degree, contact the Department of Technology Management at (480) 727-1005 or e-mail ask.git@asu.edu.