New Programs for Fall

This fall, CTI will offer three new bachelor's degrees in computer graphics and animation, network, and e-commerce technologies. These new programs respond to the growing demand for professionals who can manage the networks that support business services, understand e-commerce technology and work with computer graphics and animation.

"Computer graphics has experienced explosive growth during the past 10 years," says Professor Rosalee Wolfe, director of the division of computer graphics and human computer interaction. "It has expanded beyond its traditional roots in computer-aided design and flight simulation. This growth is creating a ferocious demand for the rare employee who is fluent in both art and technology."

Responding to the demands of government agencies, manufacturing, business and entertainment industries, CTI already has the experts needed to begin this new program. "We are very excited about the faculty," Wolfe says. "The faculty members who contributed to the design of this program-Jacob Furst, Steve Luecking, John McDonald and Eric Sedgwick-are extremely talented and versatile."

The undergraduate program in computer graphics and animation will prepare students for careers as industrial graphics designers, game developers and technical directors for entertainment companies. Courses will include studies in mathematics or art, computer graphics and computer science, including animation, plug-in development and games development.

In another attempt to keep up with the industry's demand for professionals, CTI will launch a new degree program in network technologies. "Communications networks have become a fundamental part of effective business services," says Associate Professor Greg Brewster, director of telecommunications and data communications division.

"As a result, demand for network technologies professionals has never been greater and continues to grow. This year, demand for IT employees is expected to surpass supply by more than 600,000 positions. By 2005, the shortage is expected to increase to 1 million. At least 25 percent of those positions will require expertise in network systems."

The high demand for network professionals has boosted pay in the field. Total compensation for entry level network staff rose 16 percent between 1998 and 1999, to an average of $61,363 last year, while compensation for experienced network managers and staff increased 18 percent to an average of $75,000 in 1999.

The bachelor's degree will provide a balanced study of the design, configuration and management of the network technologies that support a variety of business applications.

The new degree builds on CTI's already established master's degree in telecommunications that has earned it national recognition as a center of excellence in network education.

CTI's master's degree in e-commerce technology also has garnered national attention and has led to a bachelor's degree in the field. "Through our cutting edge e-commerce master's degree, CTI has gained a great deal of experience in teaching skills students need to enter this emerging field," says Associate Professor Susy Chan, director of e-commerce technology programs. Many e-commerce technology courses will be offered this fall, she says.

The bachelor's degree program will prepare students for Web development careers while providing broad-based liberal arts education that includes courses in communication, psychology and graphic arts. The technology courses will teach Web development, design, e-commerce business models and project management. Team projects and internships are important aspects of the program.

"The content will be flexible to adapt to rapidly changing technology trends and industry needs," says Assistant Professor Linda Knight, associate director of the program. "Area leaders in the e-commerce industry provide ongoing advice for the direction of the program and will teach some of its courses."

While scores of graduate business schools have launched e-business concentrations and a few computer schools have introduced e-commerce graduate degrees this academic year, undergraduate programs in the field are unusual, according to Dean Helmut Epp.

"CTI's undergraduate program in e-commerce technology will be unique in the Chicago area and perhaps in the nation. We were among the first to launch an e-commerce master's degree and the response was immediate and significant, with student enrollment growing from 50 to 200 since the fall," he says. "These new bachelor's degree programs represent another example of the pioneering spirit that keeps CTI on the cutting edge."