Recent advances in digital technology and fiber optics have revolutionized the way we live and learn. Multimedia is used today in movies, education, entertainment, marketing, advertising, information services, teleconferencing, publishing, interactive television, and product demonstration. With the rapid transfer of information and the growing need to present this information in a powerful way, individuals with the skills and knowledge to communicate effectively will flourish in the multimedia industry.

The Multimedia Certificate Program at UMass Lowell is interdisciplinary and draws upon the expertise and knowledge of several departments, colleges, and centers within the University, as well as outside expertise from industry professionals.

You can now earn the Certificate in Multimedia Applications on campus or online! Fueled by popular demand and funded in part by a grant from the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the University of Massachusetts is pleased to announce the migration of its premier multimedia certificate program to an online format.

Required Courses: (4)
90.230 Introduction to Multimedia
90.231 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web
90.232 Desktop Video Production
90.247 Web Authoring: Adobe® Flash®

Electives - Choose 2:
42.221 Writing for Interactive Media
70.262 Digital Imaging and Photography: Photoshop®*
70.264 Computer Graphics and Illustration*
70.291 Introduction to Graphic Design*
70.376 3D Computer Animation*
70.377 Advanced Animation: Adobe® After Effects®*
70.379 Website Design: Adobe® Dreamweaver®
70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development
70.385 Streaming Media for the Web
78.201 Introduction to Audio for Multimedia and the WWW
90.227 Developing Interactive Help Systems: Adobe® RoboHelp®
90.236 Instructional Design for Interactive Media
90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web
90.250 E-Commerce on the Web
90.291 Introduction to DHTML
90.306 Introduction to XML
90.347 Rich Web Development with Flash® (Advanced)

*Indicates courses that are only offered on campus (not online).

Course Descriptions

90.230 Introduction to Multimedia
Provides participants with an overview of multimedia and its professional applications in training, education, marketing, and entertainment. Scanning images, digitizing video and audio, and exploring the design and production of interactive multimedia are the focus of this class. Includes technical/hardware considerations and production procedures pertinent to interactive multimedia.
Prerequisite: P: Basic Macintosh or Windows proficiency
Credits: 3

90.231 Graphics for Multimedia and the World Wide Web
The focus of this class is on the basic components of shape, color, texture, typography, and images as they are applied to multimedia and web interface design. Other topics covered include scanning, image editing, resolution and color palettes. Students will work on projects that integrate elements such as buttons, navigation bars, and background images to communicate creative visual information. Photoshop will be used.
Prerequisite: 90.230
Credits: 3
Special Notes: Formerly Graphics for Multimedia

90.232 Desktop Video Production
This course will focus on introductory desktop video production techniques. Using desktop editing software, students will complete projects including photo montages, interview sequences, storyboarding, pre-production planning and a five minute final project. Some experience with PhotoShop or similar software and access to a digital still camera or scanner is helpful for success in this course.
Prerequisite: 90.230
Credits: 3

90.247 Web Authoring: Flash®
This course will demonstrate how to use web authoring applications to create cutting-edge interface, navigation, and streaming animation. Using open standard vector formatting, you can create interactive capabilities on the web similar to CD-ROM screens. You'll learn how to use drawing tools to create websites that include sound, clickable buttons, interactivity, and exciting animations. Applications such as Shockwave and Flash will be used.
Prerequisite: 90.291; 90.302 or programming familiarity
Credits: 3

42.221 Writing for Interactive Media
Adds new dimensions to traditional, text-based writing. Hypertext links allow for multiple story lines, while integrating audio, animation, and video presents new challenges for the writer. Participants will examine successful multimedia scripts and work on their own creations.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

70.262 Digital Imaging and Photography: Photoshop®
This course will offer the student a transition between traditional photographic imaging and digital photographic imaging. The course will cover the fundamentals of digital scanning, digital capture and image manipulation. Image preparation for other media will also be explored. Basic familiarity with the Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required.
Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh or Basic Windows proficiency.
Credits: 3
Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.264 Computer Graphics & Illustration
Students will produce a number of illustrations, using computer illustration and imaging software. Topics include methods for rendering artwork, capturing an expressive illustrative style, and portraying different moods or messages within the illustration. Students will learn to illustrate effectively using the many tools available to them within several software applications.
Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh/Windows familiarity
Credits: 3
Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.291 Introduction to Graphic Design
Exercises, lectures and projects will introduce students to graphic design principles and techniques. Course will begin with a fundamental study of image, form, and space relations, then cover such topics as working with grids, typography basics, page layout, the introduction of color, rendering techniques, history, and more. Students will be assigned a series of projects to enhance their visual communication skills.
Prerequisite: Basic Macintosh or Windows proficiency
Credits: 3
Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.376 3D Computer Animation
This course teaches the fundamentals of computer animation using 3D modeling, authoring and digital video imaging software. Students will learn how to create complex 3D objects and environments. Animation sequencing, editing, and compositing will be covered. Projects will take form as animated clips. Basic familiarity with Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required.
Prerequisite: 70.264 or 90.231 or instructor permission.
Credits: 3
Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.377 Advanced Animation: After Effects®
This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed 3D Computer Animation and who are interested in exploring the narrative possibilities in animation. Conceptual drawings and storyboarding will be required. The course will cover advanced sequencing, motion paths, editing, audio, and virtual environments. Special effects compositing will be introduced. Other course topics will include media preparation for output to film, video, and CD-ROM. Basic familiarity with Mac OS and/or Windows platforms required.
Prerequisite: 70.376.
Credits: 3
Special Notes: This course will not transfer directly into the Art Department's BA/BFA day school degree program, but certain two-course clusters may be accepted for transfer upon department approval.

70.379 Website Design
This course will focus on the creation of visual content for the web and will explore what constitutes a visually exciting and engaging site. Other topics that will be covered are: file formats, compression, web color strategies, and platform standards.
Prerequisite: Basic HTML and Photoshop familiarity required.
Credits: 3

70.384 Advanced Website Design and Development
This advanced-level course is designed for students who have completed Website Design (70.379). The course will cover advanced topics such as user-centered design, information architecture, testing, and usage analysis. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their design, development, and conceptualization skills.
Prerequisite: 70.379
Credits: 3

70.385 Streaming Media for the Web
This is an advanced course for those with intermediate or advanced ability in World Wide Web technology who want to explore the use of streaming media delivery. This course will examine current technologies used to deliver audio, video, and multimedia via on-demand and live broadcasts utilizing both internet and intranet environments. Special attention will be made to emerging protocols and standards for streaming delivery. Bandwidth requirements, server configuration and setup, and content development will be covered in a hands-on environment. Familiarity with the Windows platform is required.
Prerequisite: 70.379 or permission of instructor
Credits: 3

78.201 Introduction to Audio for Multimedia and the World Wide Web
This course provides participants with the technical background in audio they will need for effective Multimedia and Web-based use of sound. Topics begin with the fundamental concepts of audio signals, recording and reproduction systems, and proceed to a more in-depth understanding of digital audio recording, signal processing, and data compression. Parameters such as sample rate, bit rate and dither will be linked to sound quality issues of frequency response, noise floor and dynamic range so that informed decisions can be made about sound performance versus data requirements. The course will explore the audio concepts and capabilities unique to Audio Compact Disc, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, CD-Rom, MP3 and streaming. Students' projects will integrate audio into Multimedia and/or Web-based products satisfying priorities for sound quality, media effectiveness, user experience and bandwidth constraints.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Multimedia or HTML recommended
Credits: 3

90.227 Developing Interactive Help Systems: RoboHelp®
This course is designed for technical writers, project managers, web developers and designers or anyone interested in creating, developing, and managing Help systems. Students will learn to use RoboHelp to create professional Help systems and documentation for desktop and web-based applications, including CD-ROMs, .NET and Rich Internet Applications. Students will learn to create Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, context-sensitive Help, and how to generate Help systems in any popular online Help format, plus press-ready printed documentation. Students will also explore the use of RoboDemo as a potential add-in to make help systems more interactive by incorporating Flash movies and video. Prerequisite: Familiarity with technical writing and/or web/multimedia development. 3 credits.
Prerequisite: Familiarity with technical writing and/or web/multimedia development
Credits: 3

90.236 Instructional Design for Interactive Media
This course is designed to deliver the basics of instructional design techniques with an emphasis on educational media. The foundations of instructional design include thoughtful problem analysis, identification of training needs, establishing instructional goals, selecting and optimizing an instructional strategy, scripting, flowcharting, storyboarding a project, creating formative evaluation and revision cycles, and creating summative evaluations to measure effectiveness.
Prerequisite: 90.230 or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3

90.238 Website Development: Microsoft® Expression® Web
This course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of websites using available visual development tools. Each participant will design, build, and maintain their own websites. Topics covered include: basic navigational structure; page layout incorporating tables and CSS; graphical design and placement; image maps; streaming audio and video; and basic website administration.
Prerequisite: 90.291; 90.231 recommended
Credits: 3
Special Notes: Formerly Designing Multimedia for the World Wide Web

90.239 Multimedia Scripting Using Macromedia Director's Lingo
This advanced course is for students who have already mastered Director basics and wish to explore Macromedia Director's scripting language Lingo, along with basic programming techniques. Lingo's interactive design allows for evaluation and response to user actions. Course includes programming concepts, playback of QuickTime movies, control of CD-ROM drives, text manipulation, working with external files, X Objects, Sprite control, etc.
Prerequisite: 90.233.
Credits: 3

90.249 Developing IT Training for the Web
This course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of web-based IT training systems. This course is especially designed for those interested in developing new delivery methods for corporate training. Site design and navigation are stressed with an emphasis on training and knowledge transfer applications. Available tools for automation and administration are also examined.
Prerequisite: 90.230.
Credits: 3

90.250 E-Commerce on the Web
This course examines the impact of emerging technologies on how we conduct business in a wired world. Topics include: ingredients for a Commerce-Enabled Web site from hardware and software to necessary operational processes; copyright, authentication, encryption, certification, and security; on-line payment strategies (SET, E-cash, check, and charge) and companies offering solutions: E-Commerce Business Models.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

90.291 Introduction to DHTML
Starts with the basics of Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language using the tool that most professional Web developers use - HTML-Kit. The course covers the W3C standards for HTML 3.2 and 4.0, Web protocols, Web server basics, Web design theory, and provides a survey of JavaScript, Cascading Style Sheets, XML, Perl, and Dynamic HTML.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

90.306 Introduction to XML
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) picks up where HTML leaves off. If you've studied HTML, you've learned the Web's formatting language. To structure content on the Web, you will need to learn XML. In this introductory course, you will learn basics of XML and the DTD (Document Type Definition), XSL (the style sheet for XML), and CDF (Channel Definition Format) commonly used in push technology.
Prerequisite: 90.291; students should have a mastery of DHTML and be familiar with database concepts
Credits: 3

90.347 Rich Web Development: Advanced Flash®
This course picks up where other Flash courses end. Go beyond developing animations; learn how to use Flash to develop complete interactive websites, to develop presentations for Web/CD/DVD delivery, and to develop applications for internet, intranet and alternate devices. Learn to understand and write ActionScript (Flash's programming language) and design in OOP (Object-oriented programming). You'll learn how to use sound, buttons, interactivity, and animations to enhance the user's experience. Learn the fundamentals of Flash Communication Server, Flash Remoting and Flash-Database Integration.
Prerequisite: 90.247
Credits: 3

90.348 Developing Dynamic Websites with ColdFusion® MX
Developing Dynamic Websites with ColdFusion MX is a course that provides web designers and developers with the knowledge and hands on training they need to begin developing interactive websites using Macromedia's powerful web application platform ColdFusion MX using the Dreamweaver MX website authoring tool. Students will learn how to build secure, interactive, database-driven web applications that maintain session state across pages.
Prerequisite: 70.379 and 70.384, or prior familiarity with Dreamweaver
Credits: 3

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses each semester. Courses on-campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, for 14 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters. UMass Lowell's online courses also meet for 14 weeks, however, students generally log on to their course site once per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. For more information on online courses, click here to go to the UMass Lowell's online courses website. In addition to the Fall and Spring semesters, students also have the opportunity to accelerate their programs of study during two concentrated six-week Summer sessions. Online courses are also offered during the Summer semester, but unlike the on-campus courses, the online summer courses meet from May through August for a period of 14 weeks. All students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.