Minor in Creative Technology and Design

Learn design fundamentals and the technical skills to put them into practice. 

The Creative Technology and Design (CTD) minor blends practical media production and design training with critical thinking and theory. A CTD minor works well with many undergraduate majors, providing practical, marketable skills in high demand among employers.

  • Engage in hands-on, project-based classes that encourage exploration and experimentation.

  • Design and build projects that showcase your engineering, design and creative abilities.

  • Hone your critical thinking skills and learn how to innovate in a rapidly-changing technology landscape.

  • Graduate with a project portfolio to share with recruiters.

  • Be part of the ATLAS Institute's vibrant community of engineers, designers, scientists and creative technologists.

Apply to the CTD Minor

  • Complete the simple Creative Technology & Design minor application form (essay no longer required!)
  • Confirmations sent within two weeks.
  • Attend an info session to learn more.

Info Sessions

CTD Undergraduate Tours

Apply to the Minor

CTD Minor Required Courses

22 credit hours (minimum) including the following courses:

  • ATLS 1100, Design Foundations
  • ATLS 1350, Computation Foundations for Non-Majors
    • Other accepted courses in place of ATLS 1350: ATLS 1300, APPM 1650, ASEN 1320, CSCI 1300, ECEN 1310, INFO 1701
  • ATLS 2000, The Meaning of Information Technology
  • Any two of the following CTD core courses
    • ATLS 2100, Image
    • ATLS 2200, Web
    • ATLS 2300, Text
    • ATLS 3100, Form
    • ATLS 3200, Sound
    • ATLS 3300, Object
  • Two 3-credit Focus Elective or Critical Perspectives in Technology Elective courses or additional CTD core courses from the above list
    • Refer to the CTD Minor Degree Audit for the complete list of approved electives.
  • One 1-credit CTD How To course

View ATLS course descriptions on the ATLAS Course Offerings page.

visualization of CTD minor curriculum courses

Changes to CTD minor requirements

The Creative Technology and Design (CTD) minor requirements recently changed: Students enrolling in the minor in Spring 2025 have the option of fulfilling the new requirements detailed on this page, or sticking with the old requirements. Students enrolling in the minor beginning in Fall 2025 follow the new requirements.

CTD Minor Policies

  • 6 of the 8 courses needed for the minor must be ATLS courses.
  • Coursework used to satisfy the minor requirements cannot be taken pass/fail.
  • A minimum of 17 credit hours must be taken on the Boulder campus.
  • The minimum grade for all coursework taken for the minor is a C-.
  • To drop the minor, complete the Adding/Removing Engineering Minor form.

 

CTD Minor Prerequisites

  • ATLS 1100 and ATLS 1350 or ATLS 1300 are prerequisites for ATLS 2100, 2200, 2300
  • ATLS 2000 is a pre/co-requisite for ATLS 2100, 2200, 2300

Coursework used to satisfy minor requirements must be taken for a letter grade; it cannot be taken pass/fail. 

 

Course Substitution Policy

Coursework not on the approved elective list (including coursework from another University of Colorado campus, another institution, Study Abroad, or Semester at Sea) must be approved by the ATLAS Curriculum Committee by submitting a Petition Form and uploading the course syllabus and other relevant supporting documentation. Substitution requests will not be considered if the student has already satisfied the requirement with an approved elective course.

Please connect with the CTD Advisor for more information.