The Digital Maker Movement
Digital fabrication is revolutionizing how we invent and create, changing for all time the way we design and bring new technology products to market. The digital maker movement is opening doors of opportunity for University of Advancing Technology students earning an accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Maker and Fabrication. As the recognized leader in advancing computer technology education, UAT unveiled the nation’s first fully-accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Maker and Fabrication in 2014.
User-Centered Design and Maker Culture
Powerful mobile and embedded systems are converging into hardware that is increasingly replacing the functionality of larger, more cumbersome devices. As this transition continues to accelerate, the need for intelligently designed products will continue to grow. Integrated IoT devices and services in cars, homes and offices will interact with wearable devices to give the consumer a content-rich, context-driven experience. Designing, programming, and rapid prototyping of such devices will give students a hands-on approach to improving the next generation of hardware and applications.
Maker Movement Skills
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing, is the cutting-edge way to conceive, design, prototype, test, manufacture, and bring to market the latest technological innovations. Digital Maker and Fabrication students will gain the skills to manufacture with generative design, maker bots, robotics and embedded systems, digital design and animation, laser cutters, open-source hardware and software, and desktop fabrication. Before graduation, each student will be ready to file for a U.S. Patent.
Every online assignment is geared toward your technology degree program. Each online class follows a standard assignment schedule, ensuring a swift, successful completion of classes. This standardization, combined with a team-based approach and access to industry-standard toolsets and techniques, encourages development of the collaborative and creative skills necessary for the advancing technology workplace.
The UAT-Online digital maker faculty receive extensive training to help students succeed in an online environment. During class sessions, instructors participate in online lectures and discussion groups and respond to online questions. They also respond to emails and discussion threads.
Students in this program will model and design objects using 3D software. Students will also learn to inform their designs based upon choosing the best materials for each design element. Students will learn how to program the hardware and electronics driving their devices, using tools such as C++, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi in ways that support creating smart devices and internet-enabled devices. By learning how to effectively use maker prototyping technologies such as 3D printers, digital cutters, CNC, and virtual reality tools, students are able to rapidly visualize and prototype devices. DMF students also become adept at the process of iteratively refining technology creations and devices to make them ready for market.
Requirements to graduate include a 2.0 CGPA, completed required coursework, Portfolio, Internship, and a Student Innovation Project.
For a more detailed breakout of completion time frames and rates, please see the UAT Fast Facts page.