Academics
Digital Arts and Sciences (DAS)
Students who wish to pursue a degree in Digital Arts and Sciences should read Next Generation Computer Science by Dr. Paul Fishwick, CISE Faculty Advisor for the DAS program.
The BS-DAS degree provides you with a core Computer Science degree with a concentration in the arts:
- BS-DAS permits you to broaden your courses beyond the Fine Arts, into closely related areas such as Architecture, Hypertext Fiction, Film Criticism, Critical Theory, and Journalism.
- BS-DAS presents a truly integrated program that connects Art and CISE students, who share many of the same classes. Art and CISE faculty also may co-teach in certain classes.
- BS-DAS involves a project that maintains strong ties to Art, with possibilities for collaborative projects involving Art and CISE faculty.
The idea is that you will get a core computer science education in addition to significant flexibility in complementing this degree with courses in Art, Music, Theatre, Intermedia, Hypermedia, Architecture, and Critical Theory, to name a few options.
Curriculum
2006 - Present Catalog Years
View BS-DAS Counseling
Sheet
View BS-DAS Tracking Sheet
2001 - 2005 Catalog Years
BS-DAS Counseling Sheet
BS-DAS Tracking Sheet
Approved list of Interdisciplinary Electives
Fine Arts Override Form - This form is to be used ONLY by EG-DAS majors to gain access to Art courses which do not already have an engineering section established.
DAS Senior Project Information
DAS Senior Project Application Form
DAS Senior Project Guidelines
DAS Project Ideas Database
DAS Specific Courses
Additional information on the following courses can be found here. You will need ADOBE Acrobat Reader to view the course descriptions below.
- CGS2032 - Math, Art, and Computing - course description
- CGS3032 - Interactive Modeling and Animation I - course description
- CGS3033 - Interactive Modeling and Animation II - course description
- CGS3220 - Introduction to Computer-Aided Modeling - course description
- CGS3034 - Introduction to Computer-Aided Animation - course description
- CAP3027 - Introduction to Digital Arts and Sciences - course description
- CAP3020 - Theory and Practice of Multimedia Production - course description
- CIS4329 - Digital Arts and Sciences Senior Project 1 - course description
- CIS4328 - Digital Arts and Sciences Senior Project 2 - course description
- CAP4403 - Aesthetic Computing - course description
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should I be interested in DAS?
- The DAS degree programs at the University of Florida are like no other in the world. While this may sound somewhat self-flattering, consider the following. DAS involves a close collaboration between two Colleges and offers both Undergraduate and Graduate Degree programs in these Colleges. The DAS student acquires as in-depth academic knowledge of discipline-specific knowledge (Computer Science), but also takes select classes where students from both colleges work together, in teams. The focus is on academic study, but there is ample time for studio experience as well as gaining first hand experience on the latest multimedia hardware and software technology. The DAS student becomes the true renaissance individual, with a collection of talents that guarantee a wide variety of jobs when graduating.
- What kinds of jobs are available?
- Most jobs of the future will require a strong knowledge of graphics, sound, and sensory immersion and engagement. So, our DAS degree programs can be thought of as a "next generation" CS degree. Here is a list of Job Possibilities for students who obtain the BS or MS in DAS.
- How do I choose which degree to seek?
- Since DAS is spread between two Colleges (Engineering and Fine Art), you may be torn between each. You should imagine that DAS did not exist and then ask yourself which college would best suit your degree requirements. For example, if you would choose a degree in Fine Art, you should enter the College of Fine Art; otherwise, choose the College of Engineering (where the CISE Department is housed). Once you have chosen the College, make sure to visit the relevant web area: Computer and Information Science and Engineering or Fine Art
- Is there a body of cross-disciplinary knowledge for bridging CS and Art?
- One way to answer this is to consider a sampling of lists, organizations and conferences dedicated to the bridge area.
- Are there communities for DAS topics?
- Here are some communities:
- ADAM organization (for DAS students)
- DAS Philosophy (intellectual stuff :)
- What are the hardware and infrastructural resources for DAS?
- There are hardware platforms and software packages, oriented toward DAS, in both CISE as well as Art. There is also the Digital Worlds Institute, which focuses on building infrastruture to support DAS-related projects.
- What are the key differences between the degree programs?
- The degree programs have a significant overlap in terms of specialized DAS courses; however, they also retain their roots as singular disciplines. In taking the BS-DAS program, you are taking the same Computer Science core as for the other programs in CISE. See the curricula for a list of courses that are common, and those that are discipline specific.
- How long will it take to complete the DAS Degree program?
- The undergraduate degree program can be done in 4 years and the graduate program in 1-2 years, but as with any degree program, there are fluctuations based on your desired rate of progress toward satisfying degree requirements, course staffing and semester availability of courses.
- Who are the CISE faculty who teach and research in DAS-related areas?
- We have a great set of faculty who teach and research in the DAS area. Explore their home pages!
More Information
Interested students should contact a CISE Academic Advisor or visit the CISE Student Services Center (E405 CSE Building).