CONTENTS 1. Introduction 1.1 Course Outline 1 1.2 Introduction ...

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER
SCHOOL OF MEDIA, ARTS AND DESIGN
BSc (Hons) Photography and Digital Imaging
WELCOME
The teaching and technical staff team wish you a happy and profitable year in the School of
Media, Arts and Design. This handbook tells you a lot of the things that you need to know in
order to get the most out of the course. Please read it carefully and keep it safely for reference
later. A number of items of information concerning assessment are published now but will look
more important as you near the end of the first semester.
1. Introduction
1.1 Course Outline
The BSc (Hons) Photography and Digital Imaging is the latest manifestation of a well-established
full-time degree course with an excellent and well-known national and international reputation in
the imaging science community. The course has been running for over three decades and is
unique in its content, one of only a few in this country and in Europe providing education in all
aspects of photography and photographic science.
The course has a direct relationship with the MSc Digital and Photographic Imaging, a full or parttime
course run by the same department and a number of graduates progress on to study the
subject at postgraduate level. The course also has an indirect relationship with the other
photographic courses in the school, notably the BA(Hons) Photographic Arts, sharing facilities and
equipment, and with some modules from both courses being offered as free module choices.
The course involves three years of full-time study, with minimum attendance of two full days a
week.
1.2 Introduction and Course Aims
The nature, methods of production and application of images are at a phase of great change,
both in quantity and quality. The rapidly growing access to digital imaging is raising new
challenges in the production, dissemination and application of visual information, and in the
assessment of image quality in hard copy or soft image display applications. Governmental,
industrial, commercial and medical sectors are experiencing major developments in the capture
and applications of images, as are education and medicine.
The expansion of imaging activities is providing extensive opportunities for graduates with
knowledge of imaging and image science to contribute to the development, application and
evaluation of new technological developments as they arise. At present, the rate of change is
high, and demands the technological and transferable skills that are evident amongst the
graduates from the BSc (Hons) Photography and Digital Imaging.
The course is concerned with the theory, practice and application of contemporary and future
imaging systems. One of its aims is to equip graduating students with knowledge and
understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relevant to image production
and imaging science.
The curriculum therefore introduces students to a wide range of activities including: the
exploration of image production and the understanding and application of best practice in the
field of visual and aesthetic aspects of images, the fundamental science which underlies all
imaging systems, mathematics and imaging technologies, the fundamental properties of images,
DPI_Hbook 1 ©University of Westminster