COM 2101 Public Speaking

3 hours

Intensive practice in composition and delivery of various types of speeches with emphasis on speech structure and style.

GCM 1012 Introduction to Graphic Communications

3 hours

This course is a study of contemporary production practices of the graphic communications industry, examining the basics of digital imaging, page layout assembly, and workflow technologies such as computer-to-plate, print media, and finishing. The application of project based assignments and the study of materials, equipment, health and safety, concepts of text/image input, conversion, and output that are practiced in the graphic communications industry are included as topics.

GCM 1022 Digital Media Composition I

3 hours

This course is an introduction to digital production workflow applications relevant to the graphic communications industry. Specific topics may include production hardware, page layout and imposition, illustration and image processing software, input and output devices, digital file storage and asset management, and proofing technologies.

GCM 2012 Introduction to Printing and Finishing

3 hours

This course is a continuation of GCM 1012 - Introduction to Graphic Communications (3). Emphasis will be placed on theory and problem solving as well as broadening skills in the areas of print media, finishing technologies and production management. Further experiential learning of materials, equipment, production workflow techniques, concepts of text/image input and output devices, finishing processes, and quality control as practiced in the graphic communications industry are included in the design of this study.

Prerequisites: GCM 1012 and GCM 1022.

GCM 2522 Digital Media Composition II

3 hours

This course is a continuation of GCM 1022 as a study of page layout software technology specific to the graphic communications industry. Project-based assignments using Adobe Creative Cloud tools to address workflow requirements are examined through the production of electronic documents such as booklets, brochures, posters and newsletters. Other topics include image editing for page layouts, digital imposition, color models and modes, desktop color separation preparation, color profile management, masking, image tonal analysis, file preparation and conversions.

Prerequisite: GCM 1022.

GCM 3112 Substrates, Inks, and Toner

3 hours

This course is designed to introduce students to substrates and inks used in printing and packaging production. Topics will include introduction to features and characteristics, manufacturing processes, printing and packaging production performance and quality control and color management solutions for substrates and inks used for producing printing and packaging products.

Prerequisite: GCM 2012.

GCM 3525 Packaging Design and Production

3 hours

This course is an introduction to packaging production covering materials, processes, and technology used in package development. Specific topics may include package structure layout and design, materials and manufacturing, printing processes, and converting/finishing processes for packaging. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the complete production process from design to finished package.

Prerequisite: GCM 2522.

GCM 3772 Job Estimating and Planning

3 hours

The study of systems and techniques used for identification of printing production standards, cost estimating, production scheduling, production planning, material flow, teamwork, problem-solving techniques, and management's role in creating quality environments.

Prerequisite: GCM 2012.

GCM 4112 Technical Assistant

1 hours

A supervised, meaningful, planned and evaluated laboratory assistant experience. Students enrolled in this course will act as instructional aides within various graphic arts and imaging technology courses.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing.

GCM 4558 Digital Printing Systems

3 hours

This course allows students the opportunity to explore digital printing applications such as short-run color and variable data printing. Students will study digital workflows, file preparation, data management, preflighting, digital front-end systems, press operation and routine maintenance.

Prerequisites: GCM 1022 and GCM 2522.

[Dual-listed with GCM 5558.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing; juniors may enroll with permission of the department.

GCM 4591 Advanced Printing and Finishing

3 hours

This course is designed to build on the basics covered in: Introduction to Graphic Communications, Introduction to Printing and Finishing, Introduction to Flexographic Printing and Packaging, and Electronic Imaging. Students will gain experience in advanced techniques in electronic prepress, halftones, duotones, process color, process stripping, process press work, and process control.

Prerequisites: GCM 2012, GCM 3102, GCM 3112, and GCM 3772 or permission of the instructor.

May be repeated for a total credit of six semester hours.

[Dual-listed with GRA 5591.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing.

GCM 4595 Direct Mail and Emerging Technology

3 hours

This course focuses on direct mail's unique potential and role within an integrated marketing plan and applications. This course will help students gain a better understanding of traditional and digital tactics used to develop effective direct mail campaigns and mail management. It will cover: the role of mail in today's society; the importance of mailing lists to a direct mail campaign; the application of postal presort mail manager software; the benefits and disadvantages of different direct mail formats; different types of technology used in direct mail; the impact of recycling on direct mail business; development and execution of a hands-on direct marketing project.

Prerequisite: GCM 4558

GCM 2222 Introduction to Packaging Production

3 hours

This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of the flexographic printing and packaging industries. Students will become familiar with the basic flexographic workflow process involving the application of specific conventions acceptable to the flexographic industry. Emphasis is placed on the packaging workflow process; including prepress (design concepts and layouts, development of design files, preflighting, making and mounting plates), press setup, print production, and package conversion.

Prerequisite: GCM 2012.

GCM 3518 Sustainability for Graphic Communications

3 hours

This course investigates print manufacturing practices, and the steps required to 1) implement manufacturing standards that address environmental, health and safety certification: 2) development and implementation of sustainable management systems (SMS); 3) best practices management within the printing industry, and 4) all the foregoing within the 3P model of planet, people and profit.

Prerequisites: GCM 2012, GCM 2522.

GCM 3882 Intermediate Packaging Production

3 hours

This course presents intermediate-level concepts of flexographic technologies and technical processes applicable to the flexographic industry. Students enrolled in this course will learn design techniques specific to flexography, printing calculations, job assembly, proofing, print evaluation, and multiple spot color techniques. This will be achieved through project-based assignments that allow students to select anilox roll, substrates, inks, dies, and other printing materials.

Prerequisite: GCM 2222.

GCM 4522 Advanced 3D Imaging and Animation

3 hours

This course focuses on using advanced texturing techniques, complex shading networks, inverse kinematics and forward kinematics to develop realistic 3D images and animation.

Prerequisite: GCM 3312.

[Dual-listed with GCM 5522.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing; juniors may enroll with permission of the department.

GCM 4524 Advanced Web Development for Graphic Communications

3 hours

This course is a continuation of GCM 3512, Web Development for Graphic Communications. Emphasis will be placed on creating multimedia Web pages, interactive Web forms, and mobile Web sites. This course will also integrate several different programs allowing students to create effective and attractive websites. By the end of this course, students should be able to design advanced web sites that utilize complex interactivity.

Prerequisite: GCM 3512.

GCM 4566 Advanced Packaging Production

3 hours

This course addresses advanced concepts and practices pertaining to the flexographic printing process. To include: advanced techniques such as multi-color spot and process color printing, quality control, corrugated board, image distortion, die calculations, and coatings.

Prerequisites: GCM 3112 and GCM 3882.

[Dual-listed with GCM 5566.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing; juniors may enroll with permission of the department.

GCM 3102 Cross Media Production

3 hours

This course is a study of new technologies applicable in the production of digital content for print production or access from the World Wide Web. The study of Adobe Creative Cloud products in the application of project based assignments, including the study of materials, equipment, health and safety, concepts of text/image input, conversion and output devices that are practiced in the graphic communications industry.

Prerequisite: GCM 2522.

GCM 3312 3D Imaging and Animation

3 hours

This course provides an introduction to 3D digital imaging for specific applications. Industry standard computer software will be used to explore fundamentals of modeling and texturing.

GCM 3512 Web Development for Graphic Communications

3 hours

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop basic web sites, manipulate images for web delivery. Additionally, students will create intermediate and advanced web sites that utilize complex interactivity.

GCM 4512 Advanced Cross Media Production

3 hours

This course is an advanced treatment of studies begun in the GCM 3102 course, and incorporates new technologies applicable in the production of digital content for print production, the World Wide Web, mobile device platforms and other applicable new forms of graphic communication. Students will learn and be required to demonstrate ability to apply electronic document designs across a variety of graphic communication platforms.

Prerequisite: GCM 3102 (ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010)

[Dual-listed with GCM 5512.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing; juniors may enroll with permission of the department.

GCM 2222 Introduction to Packaging Production

3 hours

This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of the flexographic printing and packaging industries. Students will become familiar with the basic flexographic workflow process involving the application of specific conventions acceptable to the flexographic industry. Emphasis is placed on the packaging workflow process; including prepress (design concepts and layouts, development of design files, preflighting, making and mounting plates), press setup, print production, and package conversion.

Prerequisite: GCM 2012.

GCM 3518 Sustainability for Graphic Communications

3 hours

This course investigates print manufacturing practices, and the steps required to 1) implement manufacturing standards that address environmental, health and safety certification: 2) development and implementation of sustainable management systems (SMS); 3) best practices management within the printing industry, and 4) all the foregoing within the 3P model of planet, people and profit.

Prerequisites: GCM 2012, GCM 2522.

GCM 3882 Intermediate Packaging Production

3 hours

This course presents intermediate-level concepts of flexographic technologies and technical processes applicable to the flexographic industry. Students enrolled in this course will learn design techniques specific to flexography, printing calculations, job assembly, proofing, print evaluation, and multiple spot color techniques. This will be achieved through project-based assignments that allow students to select anilox roll, substrates, inks, dies, and other printing materials.

Prerequisite: GCM 2222.

GCM 4566 Advanced Packaging Production

3 hours

This course addresses advanced concepts and practices pertaining to the flexographic printing process. To include: advanced techniques such as multi-color spot and process color printing, quality control, corrugated board, image distortion, die calculations, and coatings.

Prerequisites: GCM 3112 and GCM 3882.

[Dual-listed with GCM 5566.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing; juniors may enroll with permission of the department.

GCM 3622 Graphic Communications Seminar

1 hours

GEN ED: Junior Writing in the Discipline (WID)

This course involves the development of the mechanics of being a professional in the graphic communications management industry. Specific topics include resumes, cover letters, interviewing, presentation techniques and report writing.

Prerequisite: R C 2001 or its equivalent and junior standing.

GCM 4622 Current Trends in Graphic Communications Seminar

1 hours

This course is designed to emphasize current trends, technical movements and problems as they relate to the future of the printing industry. Classes will focus on group discussions related to these and other current issues. Students will be required to refer to academic experiences, internship experiences and library skills to participate in discussions.

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

[Dual-listed with GCM 5622.] Dual-listed courses require senior standing; juniors may enroll with permission of the department.

GCM 3900 Graphic Communications Internship I

(3-6) hours

Field experience with commercial print, in-plant or digital media companies producing products from processes such as animation, digital printing, cross media publishing, prepress, flexography, gravure, offset lithography, screen printing, packaging, web page development, or finishing and fulfillment is integral to career preparation for the graphic communications industry.

Prerequisite: 16 hours of coursework in the major must be completed.

GCM 4900 Graphic Communications Internship II

(1-6) hours

GEN ED: Capstone Experience

A continuation of industry field experience with print or digital graphics media companies such as commercial printing, animation, prepress, flexography, gravure, offset lithography, screen printing, packaging, or finishing and fulfillment. This course satisfies the senior capstone requirement for the BS in Graphic Communications Management majors.

Prerequisite: 30 hours of coursework in the major must be completed.

May be repeated for credit when content does not duplicate.

(Hours requirement for one credit hour is 160 hours, with 80 hours required for each additional.)