Digital Arts and Sciences Programs
Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department

1. BS-DAS permits you to broaden your courses beyond the Fine Arts, into closely related areas such as Architecture, Hypertext Fiction, Film Criticism, Critical Theory, and Journalism.
2. BS-DAS presents a truly integrated program that connects Art and CISE students, who share many of the same classes. Art and CISE faculty also may co-teach in certain classes.
3. BS-DAS involves a project that maintains strong ties to Art, with possibilities for collaborative projects involving Art and CISE faculty.

When you enter UF, you need to make an appointment with a CISE undergraduate advisor and ask them about taking the necessary courses to prepare you for a BS-DAS application. During your 4th semester, DAS students are required to submit a portfolio. If your portfolio is positively evaluated along with other academic information such as your GPA, you will be admitted into the undergraduate DAS Program.

• BS-DAS Tracking Document
• BS-DAS Counseling Guide

1. Applications are taken only for entrance in the Fall semester, not for the Spring
2. Applications must include two additional items in addition to the usual CISE Graduate Program: a (1) Statement of Interest and a (2) Portfolio. The Statement of Interest should emphasize why this program is right for you, and what you hope to gain from pursuing a DAS degree.
3. Your application must be submitted no later than February 1st to the CISE Department.
4. Application envelopes, if sent via postal mail, must specify "Digital Arts and Sciences" on the outside.

• MS-DAS Degree

• DPS 2: Theory and Practice of Multimedia Production
• DPS 4: Senior Year and Graduate

• Why should I be interested in DAS? The DAS degree programs at the University of Florida are like no other in the world. While this may sound somewhat self-flattering, consider the following. DAS involves a close collaboration between two Colleges and offers both Undergraduate and Graduate Degree programs in these Colleges. The DAS student acquires as in-depth academic knowledge of discipline-specific knowledge (Computer Science), but also takes select classes where students from both colleges work together, in teams. The focus is on academic study, but there is ample time for studio experience as well as gaining first hand experience on the latest multimedia hardware and software technology. The DAS student becomes the true renaissance individual, with a collection of talents that guarantee a wide variety of jobs when graduating.
  
  
• What kinds of jobs are available? Most jobs of the future will require a strong knowledge of graphics, sound, and sensory immersion and engagement. So, our DAS degree programs can be thought of as a "next generation" CS degree. Here is a list of Job Possibilities for students who obtain the BS or MS in DAS.
  
  
• How do I choose which degree to seek? Since DAS is spread between two Colleges (Engineering and Fine Art), you may be torn between each. You should imagine that DAS did not exist and then ask yourself which college would best suit your degree requirements. For example, if you would choose a degree in Fine Art, you should enter the College of Fine Art; otherwise, choose the College of Engineering (where the CISE Department is housed). Once you have chosen the College, make sure to visit the relevant web area: Computer and Information Science and Engineering or Fine Art
  
  
• Is there a body of cross-disciplinary knowledge for bridging CS and Art? One way to answer this is to consider a sampling of lists, organizations and conferences dedicated to the bridge area
  
  
• Are there communities for DAS topics? Here are some communities:
  • ADAM organization (for DAS students)
  • DAS Philosophy (intellectual stuff :)
  
  
• What are the hardware and infrastructural resources for DAS? There are hardware platforms and software packages, oriented toward DAS, in both CISE as well as Art. There is also the Digital Worlds Institute, which focuses on building infrastruture to support DAS-related projects.
  
  
• What are the key differences between the degree programs? The degree programs have a significant overlap in terms of specialized DAS courses; however, they also retain their roots as singular disciplines. In taking the BS-DAS program, you are taking the same Computer Science core as for the other programs in CISE. See the curricula for a list of courses that are common, and those that are discipline specific.
  
  
• What are the degree requirements for entering into DAS? You first fill out an application for a standard degree program observing the two deadlines: March 15 for the BS-DAS Program, and February 1st for the MS-DAS Program. There is no direct application for DAS. Entry into the DAS program has two requirements: 1) acceptance into the standard degree program, and 2) a successful portfolio evaluation, which is performed once per year in February.
  
  
• What is required for the portfolio? From the perspective of CISE, we want to see portfolios that show that you have an inclination toward art; however, we place greater weight on traditional academic criteria, as evidenced by a good grades in classes, your Statement of Interest in the program, high GPAs and test scores. See Portfolio Information
  
  
• How long will it take to complete the DAS Degree program? Assuming a successful portfolio evaluation, the undergraduate degree program can be done in 4 years and the graduate program in 1-2 years, but as with any degree program, there are fluctuations based on your desired rate of progress toward satisfying degree requirements, course staffing and semester availability of courses.
  
  
• Who are the CISE faculty who teach and research in DAS-related areas? We have a great set of faculty who teach and research in the DAS area. Explore their home pages!:
  • Georg Essl
  • Paul Fishwick
  • Lola Haskins
  • Jorg Peters
  • Dave Small