Graduate Study > Graduate Courses

The Center for Multidisciplinary Studies offers a unique set of graduate level courses. These courses can either be used as electives in a graduate program or be grouped together for a specialized concentration area in the MS in Cross Disciplinary Professional Studies. For more information about the course work please email cms@rit.edu.

0681-710 Intro. to Project Management Addresses project management from a multidisciplinary perspective, covering the fundamental nature of managing projects from all disciplines, as well as specific techniques and tools required to manage projects. Analytical tools such as Gantt Charts, Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), Critical Path Method (CPM), earned-value analysis, and various budgeting and resource allocation techniques will be presented. The computer software package, Microsoft Project®, is used in the course. Topics include the unique and demanding role of the project manager, the challenges of cross-cultural projects, the behavioral and quantitative facets of project management, project framework, planning, organizing, resolving conflict, budgeting, scheduling, allocating resources, tracking & controlling, and closing the project. Introduces the major areas of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (0692-211, 0680-341) Credit 4

0681-711 International Project Management With the increasing frequency of globalization, mergers, and acquisitions, international projects are becoming more prevalent and approaching the norm for many organizations. This course addresses a wide range of international projects—based in different industries and multiple countries. It deals with cultural and social differences within firms; cultural and social differences among countries and within countries; languages and dialect variations; different management practices and structures; religious practices; legal, regulatory, and reporting requirements; technology differences in different areas; and time zone differences. Incorporates aspects of the Project Management Body of Knowledge Credit 4

0681-712 Advance Project Management Course covers the advanced project management topics necessary for implementation of and excellence in project management. It deals with turning the principles and theory of project management into practice. Addresses the best practices for project management in the world; project portfolio management; the project office; project risk management; multinational cultures and cultural failures; integrated project teams; and virtual project teams. Incorporates aspects of the Project Management Body of Knowledge Credit 4

0688-711 Technical Info. Design Intensive practice in the creation of content for online and multimedia documents with emphasis on the presentation of technical and scientific concepts, products, and processes. A survey of graphic methods for the display of complex technical relationships and ideas. Students will also explore contemporary topics international technical communication, the future of on-line documentation, ethical considerations in technical information design, etc.) and applications (legal, medical, electronics, environmental, etc.) in Technical Information Design. (0688-333 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Credit 4

0688-712 Advance Photoshop Techniques This course offers a strategic view of the photoshop/digital imaging work environment, with an emphasis on preparing high-quality images for print. Instead of specific tools, it will focus on broader techniques and strategies with an emphasis on preparing high-quality images for publication. Topics such as image correction, color models, file formats and additional image types such as duotones will be discussed in detail. Credit 4

0688-713 Intro. to XML This course provides an introduction to XML (Extensible Markup Language) and its applications in information management and a variety of fields. Students will learn how to use this flexible text format that is playing an increasingly important role in the exchange of a wide variety of data on the Web and elsewhere. Programming experience is not required for this course. Credit 3

0688-714 Science Writing Students learn the special requirements for gathering information and writing articles about changes and new developments in the world of science. Students look at contemporary outlets for science writing, read and study examples of science journalism from a variety of fields, and prepare a feature length science article. Class articles are published in an on-line journal. Prerequisite: graduate status. Offered. winter quarter. Credit 4

0688-716 Designing Non-Traditional Learning Programs High performance workplace is more than a buzzword in today's organizations; it is the key to viability in the global marketplace. Instructional design professionals must be able to help organizations improve performance without taking employees away from revenue generation activities. This course examines the developmnet of non-traditional learning programs and tools that drive performance, such as special project assignments, job shadowing, and hiring criteria. Students in the course learn to identify effective non-training interventions and design useful tools and materials to support performance improvements. Credit 4

0688-717 Designing Interactive Training As employers become more focused on the need to engage employees to order to improve retention and increase productivity, learning strategies for employee development must model engagement. Employers and employees are seeking well designed, engaging learning programs that link to corporate strategies. This course examines how to use games, simulations, cases, and other learning experiences to create an interactive, job-relevant training program. Students in the course practice developing learning activities that engage adults, drive learning objectives, and that can be effectively replicated by any number of trainers and across a variety of delivery mechanisms. Credit 4

0688-718 Designing On-the-Job Training Research has shown that adults learn best and retain the most when they are actively engaged in the task they must master. Traditional approaches to training set up an environment where adults are shown and told what to do. An on-the-job approach to training shortens overall training time and helps new employees get productive sooner. This course focuses on creating training materials to support on-the-job training of technical tasks. Students in the course learn to write job aids and create training modules that any job expert can use to effectively train peers. They practice witint clear instructions and documenting critical job knowledge. Credit 4

0688-721 Creating Technical Proposals The elements of proposal writing, including responsiveness, establishing credibility, and technical clarity. The proposal process as practiced in government and industry, including an understanding of RFPs, RFIs, and the decision process. Specialized proposals including NDAs, on-line and multi-media proposals and technical marketing presentations. (0688-333 or equivalent or permission of instructor) Credit 4

0688-731 Technical Procedures Development of task-oriented and process documentation. Procedures for complex physical and mental tasks including time-constrained activities, emergencies, diagnostics and troubleshooting,and multiple-path processes. Formats for print, electronic, and multi-media instructions. An introduction to the creation of online help including web-delivered and html help. (0688-333 or equivalent or permission of instructor) Credit 4

0688-732 Managing Tech.&Scientific Comm. Covers management of technical and scientific communication projects and organizations, including managerial roles, practices, and responsibilities as well as management strategies for content and audience evolution. Covers management of parallel (print and online) projects, single sourcing, and documentation localization; technological factors in the production and distribution of technical documentation; and consideration of career options and independent contracting. (Pre-requisite: 0688-333, technical writing and editing or permission of instructor). dsf

0688-741 Usability Design&Testing The elements of successful electronic and print document design. The use of design concepts and tools to increase usability. Introduction to information mapping. Design and usability test considerations for multi-media and user-centered media. (0688-333 or equivalent or permission of instructor) Credit 4

0688-798 Special Topics Special Topics are experimental graduate courses announced quarterly. Watch for titles in the course listing each quarter TBD

0696-700 Security Technology Management This course examines security threats and technologies, associated R&D processes and relationships among technology developers, and numerous management concerns pertaining to the adoption, implementation and utilization of security enhancing technologies throughout society. Credit 4

0696-701 Security Technology Policy, Law and Ethics This course will introduce the ethical component of security policies and practices especially those involving security systems, tools and related technologies. Within this general framework several specialized topics are addressed including: scientific misconduct in security technology R&D, regulation construction and ethical enforcement practices, reasonable exprectations of privacy established in case law rulings, abusive/illegal use of security technologies, causes of personal and vicarious civil liability, and links between personal integrity and professional ethics. Credit 4

0696-702 Managing Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Threats The course explores economic, political, cultural, organizational and technological factors underlying information security threats, conflicts, competitions, and response capabilities, and how these may compromise national, organizational and personal security. Credit 4

0696-703 Security Enhancement Through Environmental Design This course will provide students with an understanding of the integration of technology into security designs. Physical barriers, locks, lighting, alarm, and CCTV systems are just a few of the many relatively low-to-high technologies that will be addressed with regard to public and private facilities, landscaping and architecture planning. Credit 4

0696-704 Interal Organizational Security Management This course provides an essential overview of internal security theory, fundamentals, laws, regulations and best investigative practices with an emphasis on innovative tools and methods now available to enhance internal security functions in all types of organizations. Credit 4

0697-798 Special Topics: Internal Controls and Auditing Internal Controls and Auditing. A rigorous distance learning course for understanding internal auditing and evaluated business controls. Internal auditing standards and methods applied for technology, compliance and financial controls will be reviewed, and includes the competency areas required of a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Accelerated Saturday schedule. Refer to myCourses bulletin board or contact the professor for mandatory advance preparation and materials information. Credit 3 or 4

0699-705 Context & Trends This course introduces students to interdisciplinary thinking, problem solving and research techniques and also print and electronic information resources appropriate to the student's individualized plan-of-study. Credit 4

0699-775 Capstone Project This course is a supervised, hands-on experience in which the students apply the skills and knowledge developed through their individualized plans-of-study and concludes with a specific product and with an oral and written presentation. TBD