About > Academic Essentials

Background

The phrase ‘entertainment technology’ refers to the very real world of entertainment experiences made possible by the advent of primarily computer-mediated digital technologies.

In general the term encompasses: 

• networked and free-standing interactive computer games
• avatar creation and utilization
• massive multi-player online games
• digital entertainment
• specialty venues such theme parks, themed retail, specialty restaurants, and other location-based entertainment venues
• motion-base rides
• console and PC interactive game design
• the creation of unique input devices
• virtual reality utilizing head-mounted displays or other technologies such as CAVES
• wearable computing for entertainment purposes
• massive immersive display environments such as planetaria and Omnimax
• interactive robot animatronics
• synthetic interview technology
• speech recognition
• augmented reality
• telepresence for entertainment and education purposes
• digital production and post-production
• sound synthesis, surround sound, 3-D sound and streaming audio
• the development of haptic devices (i.e. force feedback)
• entertainment robotic
  

All of the above lie within the Entertainment Technology Center’s (ETC) investigative domain.

1.  Course information

The two-year Master of Entertainment Technology (MET) is jointly conferred by the university's College of Fine Arts (CFA) and School of Computer Science (SCS). Its success as an interdisciplinary degree – the only one of its type – is reliant on top quality fine arts programs; premiere courses in computer science, electrical and computer engineering and robotics; innovative and imaginative staff; and supportive and far sighted management.

The concept underpinning the ETC and its MET is creative collaboration.  Technologists and fine artists work together on the production of dynamic, interactive, interdisciplinary entertainment artefacts designed to engage, inform, inspire, affect and entertain their target audience.

The largely project based course enables individual students to apply, share and develop the knowledge/skill of their specific discipline within the entertainment technology arena whilst building a comprehensive understanding of the vocabulary, work patterns and strengths of those with experiences in other academic fields. The blending of these disciplines in diverse project teams results in exciting, challenging and stimulating initiatives in entertainment as well as the creation of new tools, processes and visions required for storytelling and entertainment.

Content and vocational outcomes 

The MET provides students with the advanced knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to work with interdisciplinary colleagues on the development and application of increasingly sophisticated entertainment technologies. Specifically the MET develops:

• interactive new media authoring techniques;
• expertise in new media production built on a sound understanding of modular design principles and practices;
• exceptional teamwork and production skills through structured course and project team rotations;
• the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to create visual story structures;
• expertise in new and emerging entertainment technologies and methodologies.

MET graduates possess the technical, creative, organisational and leadership skills sought by employers throughout the entertainment industry and work in such diverse areas as games development, computer animation, film production and edutainment.

Course structure

The two year course is organised as follows:

Electives include:

• Game Design (12 units)
• Maya (a computer animation software tool) (12 units)
• Improvisational Acting 2 (12 units)
• Independent Study (3 – 18 units) – this can include:
• Private research
• Study in a relevant field at another University
• Part-time work in the industry where new skills are being developed and applied

All independent study options must be negotiated with an appropriate faculty member.

Semester 1, the most traditional in terms of teaching and learning, involves lectures, small group activities, individual projects, extensive computer work, guided instruction, performance, online learning and peer review. The first course, Improvisational Acting, concentrates on non-linear story telling and performance; Visual Story explores the language of the camera; whilst the third, Building Virtual Worlds, focuses on the design and creation of virtual worlds using a variety of technological platforms.

Semesters two, three and four, by way of contrast, are much more indicative of the actual workplace and involve the development and refinement of skills while undertaking increasingly complex projects.  Electives are designed to supplement those skills.

2. The time commitment

As indicated above, the ETC curriculum is primarily project based – this means that approximately 80% of your time will be devoted to working with your peers on the design and completion of group assignments. These projects, of two weeks duration during Building Virtual Worlds and 15 weeks in subsequent semesters, require a prolonged and extensive commitment to research, design, planning and team work. 

You should expect to work/study for approximately 55 hours a week during each of the four semesters.

The following table provides an example of a typical student schedule.

The reality, however, is that your total weekly commitment – particularly during the second year of your course – will depend on your organisational skills, your passion for the particular projects, your work team roles and responsibilities and the nature of your electives.

3. Requirements to achieve the qualification

The MET is a two-year program, requiring enrolment in the equivalent of four full-time semesters.  The program cannot be completed in fewer than four semesters of full-time study without the consent of the ETC Co-Directors.  All core subjects must be satisfactorily completed (153 units), along with three electives (a minimum of 27 credit units). You will need to acquire a minimum of 180 units to receive the MET qualification.

Courses outside the ETC can be taken as electives with the Program Director’s approval.  Should you decide to pursue this option you will be bound by the policies and procedures of the instructor, department, and school in which the course is taken. The grade assigned by the course professor will apply.  Such courses may include classes within the Carnegie Mellon Heinz School in Adelaide or relevant subjects within one of South Australia’s Universities [pending future agreements].

4. The qualification/certification to be issued on completion or partial completion of the course of study

Students who successfully complete all course requirements will be awarded a Master of Entertainment Technology degree. There is no certification for partial completion.

5. Teaching methods

Faculty members at the ETC use a wide array of teaching methods to deliver a world-class graduate education.  Although the program features the occasional traditional lecture based class in Semester 1, the majority of the work involves extensive team work, project collaboration and presentations.

Course projects, of which there are five of two weeks duration in Building Virtual Worlds, and three of 15 weeks duration across subsequent semesters, involve groups of three - five students working on carefully selected assignments (projects). Project management, timetabling and work scheduling combined with research, development and implementation are all an essential part of the higher degree learning experience.

Given the important role of project teams in the learning process, each group:

• contains students from technology and artistic backgrounds
• must prototype and produce a tangible artefact (not a paper)
• is supervised by a faculty member approved by the ETC for the project. 

Hands on practical experience is central to the MET, as is industry familiarity.  Organised industry tours, structured workplace visits, conference and trade show attendance and exposure to leading practitioners and guest speakers thus forms an important part of the MET program.

6. Policies on assessment, including methods, grading, resubmission of work etc.

The MET is an extremely demanding graduate level course in a complex, challenging and exciting vocational field.  As a student within the program you will be expected to display a high level of achievement in all core subjects, to meet course attendance and participation requirements and undergo team assessment and peer review for all course projects.

Furthermore, you will be expected to develop and regularly review your study and career goals and attend personal progress interviews with the Program Coordinator and Faculty Adviser. Each meeting (five per semester) will focus on your knowledge and skill acquisition, your involvement and participation in Course Projects and current/emerging areas of interest. Staff members will provide you with feedback on your performance and identify areas of strength as well as those in need of improvement.

As a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon you will be graded on a plus and minus system:

A+ exceptional achievement

A outstanding achievement

A- superior work

B+ excellent work

B good work (satisfactory)

B- improving work

C+ average work

C work requires improvement

C- poor work

The minimum acceptable grade for all core subjects is a B. If you receive a grade of B- or lower you will immediately be placed on academic probation until the course is successfully re-taken and the required grade achieved.  Any student who earns a B- or lower on more than one core/project course will be suspended from the program for a minimum of one year and must petition for reinstatement.  In light of the extensive commitment required to complete one project course it is not possible to take two such courses in the one semester – hence if you are required to repeat a core subject it will take longer than two years to achieve your qualification.

The minimum acceptable grade for an elective is a C and anything lower cannot be counted towards your degree.

Incomplete grades are rarely used and granted exclusively at the discretion of the course instructor. Such grades are intended for instances when serious extenuating circumstances prevent the completion of assigned work: e.g. personal illness (physical or mental) and family distress. They are not granted for poor time management, group conflicts, or the desire to produce better work. If you do receive an incomplete grade, you are responsible for negotiating a work completion deadline with your instructor.  This work must be completed before the end of the following semester or your grade will automatically be converted to an ‘R’ (Repeat).

Should you withdraw or take a leave of absence from the university at any time, up to and including the last day of classes, you will not receive a grade for that semester. If you wish to withdraw or take a voluntary leave of absence, you must complete a Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form, secure the appropriate signature approvals, and lodge the document with the Program Coordinator.  Your return to the university requires ETC approval through a Request for Return from Leave of Absence form.

If you do consider a withdrawal/leave of absence during your studies, you need to be aware of the following:

• Our curriculum is such that if you take a leave of absence during your first semester you will have to wait until the following year to re-enrol.
• You are encouraged to take a leave of absence if you feel you need to take a break from the intense training experiences occurring during your graduate program.
• If you are in good standing in all courses you will be reinstated into the ETC at the level you were about to take upon requesting the leave.
• If you are in poor standing or have been advised by lecturing staff to take a leave of absence you will be re-interviewed before being permitted to re-enter the school.
• If, due to illness or personal problems, you take leave of absence during the semester, your return will be discussed on an individual basis. In some instances you may be required to repeat the incomplete semester’s study or, if your academic progress is excellent, you may be allowed to return and continue with classes.
• International students must notify relevant state and/or federal agencies if considering a withdrawal or leave of absence.