Overview

Rochester is the ideal place to explore the connections between digital technology, critical analysis, production, and innovation. Our digital media studies (DMS) major combines:

  • An interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts
  • A tradition of expertise in imagining and entrepreneurship
  • Ties to the George Eastman Museum, the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives
  • A University-wide commitment to supporting digital technology and the arts

We believe that those who understand the history and theory of media will be better producers of them. Likewise, those who know how media are produced will be better able to analyze them.

As a result, DMS is one of the few majors in the nation that combines the study, analysis, and interpretation of media with its production.

Program Highlights

  • State-of-the-art technologies—From dedicated studio spaces and engineering labs, to 3D printers and high-end computers
  • Top-notch faculty and staff—From art history to computer science, faculty from nine disciplines designed the major and teach the classes
  • Ronald Rettner Hall for Media Arts and Innovation—A designated facility that supports collaboration and discovery
  • Analysis and production—Equal measures of theoretical and historical studies combined with scientific and technological work
  • Flexible studies—Digital media studies can be completed either as a humanities major or a natural science major

Capstone Project

For their capstone experience students plan, design, construct, and deliver a digital media object of significant scope. Working as a team, they deploy their collective knowledge, skills, and expertise in the domain of media history, theory, aesthetics, and technology to review customer proposals and/or devise a project of their own design. See the capstone projects page for a list of past student projects.

Undergraduate Research

DMS students have the option of completing an undergraduate research project through independent study.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Pursue appropriate coursework and do well in classes
  • Complete the core requirements for the major as well as any related preliminary courses in your area of interest
  • Speak to a faculty member whose research expertise is most closely aligned with your own research interests

Art New York Internship Opportunity

Art New York is an internship program for students (excluding first year students) from any field or department at the University. Participants live in New York City while completing an internship at a prestigious art, media, or cultural institution. They also take two classes to complete a full 16-credit semester.