What does your department do differently than similar departments in other universities? Why is it better? ITCD is not only an academic unit offering highly regarded programs, it is a mission driven organization. ITCD’s mission is to “Apply state-of-the-art information technology to solve communication problems in a socially responsible way.” ITCD provides multidisciplinary instruction through innovative undergraduate and graduate programs covering computer science, information systems, communication design, technology management, and instructional technology. ITCD also conducts leading-edge applied research and development in these fields, which allows students to get hands-on experience while earning their degrees. In addition to the technical knowledge and skills they master, graduates of ITCD excel in communication, collaboration and innovative problem solving. What will you be able to do in the new building that we were unable to do in the old? The new building is unique in several ways: It is the first building, among all 33 public California universities, designed from the ground up to facilitate collaboration between business and technology. Stronger collaboration between the two schools will enhance innovation, raise the level of student learning, faculty research and provide better service to the community that a single school cannot. For example, a marketing campaign for local non-profit organizations can work with a team of students that consists of both marking majors and graphic design majors. Joint courses and student projects will cultivate a new generation of young professionals who can create businesses utilizing the power of advanced technology. The building, with many project labs and open space available to students when they are no in class, will facilitate the project-based, outcome-based collaborative learning CSUMB is known for. Because CSUMB is a residential campus, more than 60 percent of our faculty, staff and faculty live on or around campus, we envision student will have ample opportunity to interact with faculty outside of classroom, a crucial part of education, because of the new building. What are the most exciting things you see for your department in the future? Anything cutting edge? What will set us apart? ITCD offers many courses in blended-learning mode: combining the best features of face-to-face and online learning. ITCD is offering an innovative master degree in instructional technology, the largest graduate program on campus. The degree is training students to be effective online teachers and e-learning course developer. Many of the students in the program are helping the School designing innovative instructional modules that are highly interactive, multiple senses, and collaborative.
