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Twin Cities Campus

Graphic Design B.S.

DESGN GARP Administration

College of Design

Students will no longer be accepted into this program after Spring 2010. Program requirements below are for current students only.
In fall 2010, the degree associated with the graphic design program changed from the B.S. to the B.F.A.

Program Type: Baccalaureate
Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2014
Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
Required credits within the major: 86 to 91
Degree: Bachelor of Science

The graphic design program educates students in design methods, design theory, creative problem solving, and visual and verbal literacy. An emphasis is placed on visual components: how humans communicate, perceive, interpret, and understand visual information. The program fosters flexibility, which enables graduates to adapt to social, cultural, and technological change in graphic design. The program�s foundation is broadly based. Students begin with courses in fundamental aspects of visual studies. Upper division courses prepare them for graphic design positions in print and electronic media. An internship of 1-4 credits is required.

Program Delivery

This program is available:

via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)

Admission Requirements

Students must complete 4 courses before admission to the program.

Freshman and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status before admission to this major.

A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:

2.50 already admitted to the degree-granting college
2.50 transferring from another University of Minnesota college
2.50 transferring from outside the University

Admission to pre-major status is decided by a competitive holistic review. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.50 during pre-major coursework. In addition, students must receive a minimum grade of C- or better in the required pre-major courses before going through portfolio review (not just a 2.50 GPA). Once students have achieved major status, they must maintain a GPA of 2.00. Students must be admitted to the pre-major status program to take most of the pre-graphic design coursework.

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.

Required prerequisites

Pre-Graphic Design Courses

DES 1101W - Introduction to Design Thinking [AH, WI] (4.0 cr)

GDES 1311 - Foundations: Drawing and Design in Two and Three Dimensions (4.0 cr)

GDES 1312 - Foundations: Color and Design in Two and Three Dimensions (4.0 cr)

GDES 1315 - Foundations: The Graphic Studio (4.0 cr)

General Requirements

All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).

Program Requirements

All coursework must be taken A-F (with the exception of the internship).

Communication Courses

COMM 1101 - Introduction to Public Speaking [CIV] (3.0 cr)

or PSTL 1461 {Inactive} [CIV] (3.0 cr)

WRIT 3562W - Technical and Professional Writing [WI] (4.0 cr)

or ENGL 3027W - The Essay [WI] (4.0 cr)

Art History Courses

ARCH 3411W - Architectural History to 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)

or ARCH 3412W - Architectural History Since 1750 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)

or ARTH 1xxx

or ARTH 2xxx

or ARTH 3xxx

or ARTH 4xxx

or ARTH 5xxx

or ADES 3121 - History of Fashion, 19th to 21st Century (3.0 cr)

or IDES 3161 - History of Interiors and Furnishings: Ancient to 1750 [GP] (4.0 cr)

Business, Economics, or Marketing Courses

Students must select one course in either business, economics, or marketing.

ACCT 1xxx

or ACCT 2xxx

or ACCT 3xxx

or ACCT 4xxx

or ACCT 5xxx

or APEC 1101 - Principles of Microeconomics [SOCS, GP] (4.0 cr)

or APEC 1102 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3.0 cr)

or APEC 1251 - Principles of Accounting (3.0 cr)

or ECON 1xxx

or ECON 2xxx

or ECON 3xxx

or ECON 4xxx

or ECON 5xxx

or PSTL 1511 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

or PSTL 1513 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or MGMT 3xxx

or MKTG 3xxx

History Courses

AFRO 3204 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or AFRO 3205 - History of South Africa from 1910: Anti-Racism, Youth Politics, Pandemics & Gender (Based Violence) [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

or AFRO 3431 - Early Africa and Its Global Connections [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

or AFRO 3432 - Modern Africa in a Changing World [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or AFRO 3864 - African American History: 1619 to 1865 [HIS, CIV] (3.0 cr)

or AFRO 3865 - African American History: 1865 to the Present (3.0 cr)

or AMIN 3871 - American Indian History: Pre-Contact to 1830 [HIS, DSJ] (3.0 cr)

or AMIN 3872 - American Indian History: 1830 to the Present [HIS, DSJ] (3.0 cr)

or CNES 1043 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

or PSTL 1231 {Inactive} [HIS, DSJ] (4.0 cr)

or PSTL 1251 {Inactive} [HIS, GP] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1011V {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1011W - Civilization and the Environment: World History to 1500 [HIS, ENV, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1012V {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1012W - The Age of Global Contact [HIS, GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1015W - Globalization: Issues and Challenges [GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1017 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 1018 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 1019 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 1026 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 1027 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 1031V {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1031W - Europe and the World: Expansion, Encounter, and Exchange to 1500 [HIS, GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1032V {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1032W - Europe and the World: Expansion, Encounter, and Exchange from 1500 to Present [HIS, GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1301V {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1301W - Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865 [HIS, DSJ, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1302V {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1302W - Global America: U.S. History Since 1865 [HIS, DSJ, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 1307 - Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865 [HIS] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 1308 - Global America: U.S. History Since 1865 [HIS] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3151W - British History to the 17th Century [HIS, GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 3152 - British History From the Seventeenth Century [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3211 - History of Sexuality in Europe (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3347 {Inactive} [HIS, DSJ] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3348 - Women and Gender in Modern America (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HIST 3401W - Early Latin America to 1825 [HIS, GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 3402W - Modern Latin America 1825 to Present [HIS, GP, WI] (4.0 cr)

or HIST 3421 {Inactive} [HP, IP] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3431 - Early Africa and Its Global Connections [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3432 - Modern Africa in a Changing World [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HIST 3461 - Introduction to East Asia I: The Imperial Age (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HIST 3462 - From Subjects to Citizens: The History of East Asia From 1500 to the Present [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HIST 3467W {Inactive} [WI] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3468 - Social Change in Modern China (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3471 - Modern Japan, Meiji to the Present (1868-2000) [HIS] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3472 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3474 {Inactive} [HP, IP] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3608W {Inactive} [WI] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3611 - Medieval Cities of Europe: 500-1500 [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3615W - Women in European History: 1500 to the Present [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3616 - The Hundred Years War: France and England in the Middle Ages [HIS] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3621 - Creating the Modern World in Medieval Europe: The Renaissance, 1200-1600 (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3626 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3703W {Inactive} [WI] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3704W - Daily Life in Europe: 1300-1800 [HIS, GP, WI] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3721 - Studies in 20th-Century Europe From the Turn of the Century to the End of World War II: 1900-45 (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3722 - Studies in 20th-Century Europe From the End of World War II to the End of the Cold War: 1945-91 [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3801 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3871 - American Indian History: Pre-Contact to 1830 [HIS, DSJ] (3.0 cr)

or HIST 3872 - American Indian History: 1830 to the Present [HIS, DSJ] (3.0 cr)

or HSCI 1714 - Stone Tools to Steam Engines: Technology and History to 1750 [HIS, TS] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 1715 - History of Modern Technology: Waterwheels to the Web [HIS, TS] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 1814 - Revolutions in Science: The Babylonians to Newton [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 1815 - Making Modern Science: Atoms, Genes and Quanta [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 3331 - Technology and American Culture [HIS, TS] (3.0 cr)

or HSCI 3332 - Science in the Shaping of America [HIS, DSJ] (3.0 cr)

or HSCI 3714 - Stone Tools to Steam Engines: Technology and History to 1750 [HIS, TS] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 3715 - History of Modern Technology: Waterwheels to the Web [HIS, TS] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 3814 - Revolutions in Science: The Babylonians to Newton [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

or HSCI 3815 - Making Modern Science: Atoms, Genes and Quanta [HIS, GP] (3.0-4.0 cr)

Photography Courses

ARTS 1701 - Introduction to Photography [AH] (4.0 cr)

or GDES 2361 - Design Process: Photography (3.0 cr)

or PSTL 1485 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

or UC 1485 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

Major Courses

GDES 2311 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

GDES 2334 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

GDES 2345 - Typography (4.0 cr)

GDES 3351 - Text and Image (3.0 cr)

GDES 2385W {Inactive} [WI] (4.0 cr)

GDES 3312 - Color and Form in Surface Design (4.0 cr)

GDES 3352 - Identity and Symbols (3.0 cr)

GDES 3353 - Packaging and Display (3.0 cr)

GDES 4131W - History of Graphic Design [WI] (4.0 cr)

ADES 4196 - Internship in Apparel Design (1.0-4.0 cr)

GDES 4334 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

GDES 4345 - Advanced Typography (4.0 cr)

GDES 4363 - Graphic Design Portfolio (3.0 cr)

GDES 4354 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

GDES 4365W {Inactive} [WI] (3.0 cr)

Emphasizing Materials Courses

Students must take one course emphasizing materials (DHA 4351 may be used if not taken for photography requirement). See an adviser for course options other than those in the list below.

GDES 4330 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

or DHA 4340 {Inactive} (4.0 cr)

or GDES 2361 - Design Process: Photography (3.0 cr)

or GDES 4352 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

Electives

See an adviser for course options other than those listed below.

Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:

· GDES 5341 - Interaction Design (3.0 cr)

· GDES 5342 - Advanced Web Design (3.0 cr)

· DHA 5382 {Inactive} (3.0 cr)

· GDES 5383 - Digital Illustration and Animation (3.0 cr)

· GDES 5386 - Fundamentals of Game Design (3.0 cr)

Program Sub-plans

A sub-plan is not required for this program.

Honors UHP

This is an honors sub-plan.

Students admitted to the University Honors Program (UHP) must fulfill UHP requirements in addition to degree program requirements. For any course required in a degree program, UHP students must register for the honors version if one is offered. Honors courses used to fulfill degree program requirements will also fulfill UHP requirements.

College of Design students in honors programs complete sophisticated academic and creative projects that provide intensive learning experiences. In the final year, students must complete an honors project.

View college catalog(s):
· College of Design

View sample plan(s):
· Graphic Design

View checkpoint chart:
· Graphic Design B.S.

View PDF Version:

Graphic Design B.S.

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Twin Cities Campus:

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Des 1101W/Des 1101V
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Comm 1101/Comm 1101H/PSTL 1461
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Credits:	3.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:	ADes 4121/ApSt 5121
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Credits:	3.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Hist 3432/Afro 3432
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Credits:	1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies:	ADes 4196/IGDes 4196/Hsg 4196/
Grading Basis:	S-N or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer