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School of Interactive Arts and Technology
Simon Fraser University Surrey, Central City, 250–13450 102nd Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 0A3, 778.782.7499 Tel, 778.782.7488 Fax,
Director
J. Bowes AB (Hamilton College), MSc (Syr), PhD (Mich State)
Graduate Program Chair
M. Hatala MSc, PhD (Kosice Tech)
Faculty and Areas of Research
For a complete list of faculty, see “School of Interactive Arts and Technology” on page 158.
A.N. Antle – child-centred design and evaluation of interactive technologies, mixed reality and location-based interaction models, play and informal learning in interactive environments, industry-based, human-centred design practice
L. Bartram – collaboration interfaces, perceptual issues in information visualization, methodologies for interface evaluation, and human interaction in complex systems
J. Bizzocchi – interactive narrative; critical analysis of interactive experience; the craft of game design; production aesthetics for large flat-screen video display; educational technology and distributed learning
J. Bowes – digital media and telecommunications policy; computer mediated communication and online commerce; technology transfer; minorities and media; history of technology
T.W. Calvert* – animation and choreography of human figures; networked multimedia systems for learning; the design and evaluation of human-computer interfaces for complex systems; computer graphics
J. Dill* – information visualization, visual analytics, design visualization, haptic rendering, intelligent graphical interfaces
S. DiPaola – collaborative knowledge systems; interactive art expression systems; facial and character systems for animation and real-time interactivity; alternative and social user interfaces; 3D interactive avatar and agent collaboration systems
H.I. Erhan – design cognition, computer-aided design, design requirements, component-based design, formal methods, software engineering
B.D. Fisher – interaction science cognitive systems, human-information discourse, visual analytics, games and simulations
C. Geisler – institutional transformation, changing faculty-to-faculty processes, collaborative systems design, analyzing language, rhetorical agency
D.J. Gromala – biopotentials, meditation and art, multiple levels of awareness, biomedia, interface design, phenomenological philosophies of experience, critical analyses of interactive art, media and culture, medical visualization, qualitative research methods
M. Hatala – knowledge representation and knowledge management; ontologies and semantic web; intelligent information retrieval; organizational learning; online learning
P. Pasquier – multi-agent systems: artificial intelligence, artificial life, machine learning; metacreation: machines endowed with creative behavior; audio art: composition, sound design, sound spatialisation; performance and technology: theory and practice
A.D.N. Rajah – post-traditional media, sacred spaces: sacred art and digital technology, interfaces for navigating sacred content
B. Riecke – human multi-modal spatial cognition, spatial orientation, and navigation, enabling robust and effortless spatial orientation in virtual environments, self-motion perception, illusions, and simulation, perceptually oriented, multi-modal human-computer interfaces and human-centered, effective virtual reality simulations, multi-model, interactive art/dance performances
T. Schiphorst – authoring methodologies; human computer interaction; wearable technology; multi-modal interaction
M. Seif el-Nasr – interactive entertainment, expressive artificial intelligence systems, authored cinematic systems, computer and video game research
C. Shaw – virtual environments, 3D free-form surface design, two-handed 3D user interfaces, bioinformatics visualization, scientific visualization, information visualization, human-computer interaction, computer graphics
R. Wakkary – interaction design; multi-user interaction; design methods in interaction and games; collaborative authorship; digital culture and online content; online learning
R. Woodbury – design space exploration, parametric design, online interpretations, computer supported co-operaive work, online learning
*emeritus
Program Goals
This program offers master's and doctoral degrees in art, design, media and information technology with particular expertise in the computational and interactive aspects of art, design, new media learning, business, computer games, cognition, performing arts, social science and cultural studies. The program is geared toward students who wish to learn about technology and how it is made and used.
The program has the quadruple objectives of: first, research and development of new computational technology in the context of complex human organizations and situations; second, research into the acts of designing, making, and managing technology; third, inquiry into and use of research methodologies that enable interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of new technologies; and fourth, application of new technologies in society and industry, particularly in creative areas of art, design, games and media.
Degrees Offered
The program offers courses leading to an MA, MSc and PhD, and provides graduate study in diverse areas related to people, technology and society, especially the areas of art, design, games and knowledge management.
The following degrees, for those who were admitted in September 2003 or earlier, have been phased out: master of applied science (information technology); master of applied science (interactive arts)
Fields of Study, Research, and Research Facilities
Faculty conduct research in a variety of areas including design, digital media, performance and media art, human-computer interaction, computer supported co-operative work, and information technology. Specific areas include collaborative product development; computational design; design science; digital game design; digital storytelling; human figure, face and character animation; information visualization; interaction design; interactive narrative; knowledge representation and; management; knowledge visualization; media and telecommunication policy; performance in mediated environments; scientific visualization; visual analytics; and ubiquitous computing and wearable computing.
Faculty research is supported by NSERC, SSHRC, the Networks of Centres of Excellence, Canarie, Heritage Canada, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the BC Knowledge Development Fund, BCcampus and others.
Research Laboratories
The school operates an extensive suite of research laboratories in new facilities. It dedicates the best spaces in these facilities as working space for graduate students. The facilities include the following.
The Usability Lab
This lab supports research in user interfaces, user response, internet structure, online repositories and visualization. Facilities include head and eye tracking equipment, servers, terabyte storage arrays, software, displays, and desktop and laptop computers.
The Black Box
This lab provides the ability to stage and measure human motion and performance. It includes a theatre with resilient floors, blackout curtains, lighting, sound, motion capture and green screen. Ancillary equipment includes cameras, software, servers and desktop computers.
Rapid Prototyping Lab
This new lab is developing a suite of tools and fixtures for rapid creation of design prototypes. It includes a 3D printer, a laser cutter, an industrial sewing machine, large format plotters, electronics kits and a collection of power and hand tools.
Interactive System Prototyping Lab
Many researchers in SIAT build large scale prototypes. This lab provides high resolution displays and projectors, numerous input and sensing devices, and desktop and laptop computers.
Video Lab
This is a small lab devoted to research in video studies, production and editing. It provides video cameras, mixing hardware and software and acoustically isolated rooms.
InfoNet Media Lab
The lab houses a computational environment for the creation, usage, and sharing of multi-modal information. It supports a 128 node Beowulf cluster, instrumentation and prototyping software, high resolution displays, and desktop and laptop computers.
Shared Virtual Environments Lab
The lab supports research into telepresence, and the use of computing environments to share activity over networks. The lab houses a two-wall cave, several stereoscopic displays, access grid conferencing facilities, and a very high resolution digitally enabled conference table.
The Video Theatrette supports research in the audience reception of media. It houses a high-resolution projector, a 102” screen, multimedia recording and playback systems and a 3000W stereo sound system.
91ÅÝܽ Libraries
Specialized reference services and specialist librarians for the graduate program are available.
Regional Opportunities
Ties with high technology industry and other 91ÅÝܽ programs offer additional facilities and synergies for graduate level research.
There will be annual admission into the program with the possibility of early or out-of-cycle admissions in special cases.
The minimum standards will be those of Simon Fraser University, as described in the Graduate General Regulations (page 219), augmented by the following specific requirements.
It is our aim to admit groups of students with diverse backgrounds, across the broad areas in which our faculty have disciplinary expertise. The following admission requirements are designed to encourage such diversity while setting minimum standards for acceptance into the program.
Master’s students will be admitted to study for either the MA or MSc degree. Students may articulate between the MA and MSc degrees by meeting the admission and program requirements of the degree to which they articulate and with the approval of the graduate program committee. A student may make one application for articulation.
Minimum Standard Entrance Requirements Specific to the MA and MSc Programs
• an undergraduate degree in a field related to the proposed program of study. For example:
BSc computer science, BASc engineering (electrical, communications, computer engineering), BA or BSc in education, management, economics or communications, BFA in art, design or performing arts, BA in art, art history, architecture, linguistics, psychology or philosophy, BArch, BLArch, BID
or
an undergraduate degree in another, related discipline. Applicants must establish the relationship between the discipline in which they hold their previous degree or degrees and this program; and how they would benefit from this program.
• for MSc applicants, a record of substantial university course work in scientific and/or technological areas.
• a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at a Canadian university, or equivalent, for the undergraduate degree.
• two reference letters from suitably qualified persons.
Minimum Standard Entrance Requirements Specific to the PhD Program
• a graduate degree in a field related to the proposed program of study, e.g. MSc computer science, MASc engineering (electrical, communications, computer engineering), MA or MSc in education, management, or economics, communications, MFA in art, design or performing arts, MA in art, art history, architecture, linguistics, psychology or philosophy, MArch, MLArch
or
a graduate degree in another, related discipline. Applicants are required to establish: the relationship between the discipline in which they hold their previous degree or degrees and this program; and how they would benefit from this program.
or
an undergraduate degree in one of the two categories above. Applicants are required to demonstrate both high academic standing (3.5 GPA or better at a Canadian university, or equivalent), for the undergraduate degree, and evidence of research aptitude and accomplishment.
• a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at a Canadian university, or equivalent, for the master's degree.
• three reference letters each from a suitably qualified person.
Additional Admission Requirements for the MA, MSc and PhD Programs
English Language Proficiency
Students must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through one of the following means.
• a previous undergraduate or graduate degree completed at a university where English is the applicant's primary language of instruction
• a minimum score of 88 with a minimum of 20 in each category on internet based TOEFL
• a minimum score of 570 on the paper-based TOEFL test with a minimum TWE score of 5
• a minimum score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL test with a minimum TWE score of 5
Portfolio/Interview
Candidates who are considered for admission may be required to submit a work portfolio and/or be required to attend a personal or telephone interview during the latter stages of the admission process.
Advising and Supervision
Student supervision will comply with graduate general regulations section 1.6 Supervision. Students entering the program will be assigned an interim advisor. The interim advisor has two main tasks: advising the student on issues related to study within the program and assisting the student in identifying and approaching potential senior supervisors. There is no requirement that the interim advisor has a role in supervision once the senior supervisor is approved.
The normal size of MA and MSc supervisory committees is two members. The normal size of a PhD supervisory committee is two or three members.
Degree Requirements
The primary requirement for the MA, MSc and PhD degrees is the thesis. The course requirements are aimed to support the student's thesis research. Students fulfil the following requirements to complete their degree. The MA, MSc and PhD requirements have common components, and are thus presented together. As requirements differ, they are listed respectively for each degree.
Required Courses
Students complete
IAT 800-3 Foundations of Computational Art and Design
and one of
IAT 801-3 Qualitative Research Methods and Design
IAT 802-3 Quantitative Research Methods and Design
IAT 800 is a mandatory course, but may be waived for those students with sufficient formal educational background in art and design computation.
Core Courses
Master’s students complete at least four additional courses as described below.
MA students complete two courses from the following.
IAT 810-3 New Media
IAT 811-3 Computational Poetics
IAT 812-3 Cognition, Learning and Collaboration
IAT 813-3 Artificial Intelligence in Computational Art and Design
IAT 814-3 Knowledge Visualization and Communication
MSc students complete two courses from the following.
IAT 812-3 Cognition, Learning and Collaboration
IAT 813-3 Artificial Intelligence in Computational Art and Design
IAT 814-3 Knowledge Visualization and Communication
PhD students complete at least five additional courses including at least two from the following.
IAT 810-3 New Media
IAT 811-3 Computational Poetics
IAT 812-3 Cognition, Learning and Collaboration
IAT 813-3 Artificial Intelligence in Computational Art
and Design
IAT 814-3 Knowledge Visualization and Communication
Electives, Special Topics and Directed Readings
Master's and PhD students complete two courses from electives, special topics and directed readings courses. Required or core courses that are not completed as part of the degree requirements may also be completed as electives. Subject to supervisory committee approval and graduate program committee approval, students may fulfil part of these requirements through other appropriate graduate courses at 91ÅÝܽ or elsewhere (the latter subject to Simon Fraser University rules on external courses). Normally, all students complete at least one course towards these requirements as either an elective or special topics offered within the program. For determining degree requirements in core, elective, special topics and directed readings categories, the number of courses with at least three units each shall be used. At least one elective must be a research methods course appropriate to the student's course of study.
Special topics courses offered in the program will be approved by the graduate program committee to essentially the same criteria required for approval of a new elective. At the time of approval, each special topics course will be evaluated for suitability for study towards the master's or doctoral degree and the results of such evaluation will be noted in the course approval and course outline. At the time of approval, each special topics course will be evaluated for suitability for fulfilling the program’s research methods requirement and the results of such evaluation will be noted in the course approval and course outline.
Directed readings are seminar or tutorial experiences that develop special research interests in depth and with faculty supervision. Students should not expect to complete a directed readings course where there is a substantively comparable course offered at 91ÅÝܽ. Directed readings should be distinct from the work to be undertaken towards the master's thesis. Normally, directed readings should not be completed under the supervision of a student’s senior supervisor. Normally a master's student would complete at most one, and for doctoral students at most two, directed readings course during his or her degree. Directed readings offered within the program will be approved by the graduate program committee to essentially the same criteria required for approval of a new elective. At the time of approval, a directed readings course may be approved as fulfilling the program’s research methods requirement.
MSc Elective Requirements
Students complete at least one course from the following
IAT 840-3 Models of Networked Practice
IAT 842-3 Theory and Design of Games
IAT 844-3 Spatial Computing
IAT 845-3 Methods for Research into Technological Systems
plus any special topics course or any directed readings course approved by the graduate program committee for study towards the MSc degree.
The following may be used to satisfy elective requirements, subject to the MSc elective requirements above. For MA and PhD students, there is no elective requirement.
IAT 830-3 Learning Design and Media
IAT 831-3 Encoding Media Practice
IAT 832-3 Exploring Interactivity
IAT 833-3 Embodiment and Electronic Performance
IAT 840-3 Models of Networked Practice
IAT 842-3 Theory and Design of Games
IAT 844-3 Spatial Computing
IAT 845-3 Methods for Research into Technological Systems
IAT 881-3 Special Topics I
IAT 882-3 Special Topics II
IAT 883-3 Special Topics III
IAT 884-3 Special Topics IV
IAT 885-3 Special Topics V
IAT 886-3 Special Topics VI
IAT 887-3 Special Topics VII
IAT 888-3 Special Topics VIII
IAT 871-3 Directed Reading I
IAT 872-3 Directed Reading II
IAT 873-3 Directed Reading III
Designated Research Methods Courses
The following research methods courses satisfy the research methods requirement in the elective course requirements. This course requirement must be relevant to the student’s thesis work and be approved by the student’s supervisor and the graduate program committee as being appropriate. Courses external to SIAT may also be used to satisfy this requirement and must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee and the graduate program committee.
IAT 833-3 Embodiment and Electronic Performance
IAT 834-3 Mixed Methods in Design Research
IAT 845-3 Methods for Research into Technological Systems
IAT 805-0 Research Colloquium
The research colloquium is an important part of the program. Master's students present in one seminar, and PhD students present two seminars and all are expected to attend a large majority of the seminars for at least two academic terms.
Requirements Specific to MA and MSc Degrees
Master's students produce and defend a thesis as part of degree requirements. All 91ÅÝܽ regulations on thesis form and examination process apply. The standards of scholarship (quality of work) for the master's degree are no less than those for the doctorate, except the scale, scope and originality of the thesis may be less. Commonly, the master’s thesis shows refinement of a developed scholarly specialization, a useful replication of established note and, in some cases, a pretesting or prototype of supporting ideas for eventual PhD research.
IAT 897-6 MA Thesis
Students who are working on their master of arts thesis enrol in this course. This course will not count toward the course work requirements.
IAT 898-6 MSc Thesis.
Students who are working on their master of science thesis will enrol in this course. This course will not count towards the course work requirements.
Requirements Specific to the PhD Degree
PhD Comprehensive Examination
The PhD degree requires a comprehensive examination aimed at testing for achievement in interdisciplinarity, breadth of knowledge, depth of knowledge, topic focus and scholarly skill.
With the consent of their Supervisory Committee, students may sit the comprehensive examination following completion of required course work. Upon passing, the student will be admitted to full degree candidacy. The examination may be retaken once.
As part of the preparation to undertake the comprehensive examination, the student submits, to the supervisory committee, a comprehensive annotated bibliography of readings used throughout course work, and readings related to the proposed thesis topic. The senior supervisor will inform the graduate program committee of the supervisory committee’s consent to write the examination and will provide a copy of the annotated bibliography. Upon receipt of this from the senior supervisor, the graduate program committee will form an examination committee comprising the supervisory committee, the graduate program chair or designate, and one other member of faculty in the School who is eligible to act as a senior supervisor. The graduate program chair or designate shall chair the examination committee.
The examination will have three sections. The first will test for breadth of knowledge within the student’s course of study. The second will test for knowledge of the proposed thesis topic. The third will test for knowledge of and skill with pertinent research methodology. At least two of the sections will have a required archival component. The exam will have an oral component that will test for all three sections.
The examining committee will refer to the bibliography when preparing the exam. The exam process should not exceed one term from the date of notification to the graduate program committee of the consent to write the examination. This may be longer should a student be required to retake the examination.
Specific guidelines for these examinations are available from the graduate program assistant.
PhD Proposal
The PhD degree requires a dissertation proposal aimed at collegial review of the proposed work, development of research formulation and presentation skills, and approval of the dissertation work by the supervisory committee and the graduate program chair. The approval of the graduate program chair is largely for oversight issues, for example, required ethics clearances. The dissertation proposal has two components: a research prospectus and a public event with timely notification given to the campus community.
PhD Dissertation
PhD candidates produce and defend a dissertation as part of degree requirements. All 91ÅÝܽ regulations on thesis form and examination process apply. A successful dissertation demonstrates an original contribution to a student’s field of study. The standard of work expected is that of peer-reviewed work by accomplished scholars in their specialization. Candidates are encouraged to consider the professional and career implications of this major scholarly work.
IAT 899-6 PhD Dissertation
Students who are working on their PhD dissertation will enrol in this course. This course will not count toward the course work requirements. PhD candidate status is neither required for nor implied by enrolment in this course.
PhD students who have completed a SIAT MA or MSc
PhD students who have completed a master’s (MA or MSc) degree within the program are not required to complete IAT 800, 801 or 802 as part of their PhD program. Instead, these students may apply to the graduate program committee for a reduction in course work aimed at breadth and scholarly skill. Students complete at least one core course and three electives.
On an optional basis and with graduate program committee approval, students may participate in co-operative education by placement in a government or private research agency to gain practical experience in their thesis or dissertation area. The co-op option is separate from course work and serves as an adjunct to the thesis/dissertation process.
Co-operative education provides opportunities to gain practical research experience in external settings. Enrolment requires successful completion of at least two courses within the program, good academic standing, no deferred grades and approval of the graduate program committee.
This option is separate from course work and serves as an adjunct to the thesis/dissertation process. Students are responsible for making all external arrangements and pay the co-op enrolment fee as listed in the Graduate Fee Schedule (see “Tuition Fee Schedule 2009 – 2010” on page 227).
The following co-op courses are available.
- IAT 861-0 Practicum I
- IAT 862-0 Practicum II
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