An alternative to the Internship Honors Course, Topics 4501 offers seniors the opportunity to enhance their conceptual thinking, research methodologies, communication skills, and technical expertise. At the conclusion of this course, students will have successfully researched, organized, and produced a comprehensive graphic design project for later inclusion in their senior graphic design portfolio. In order to qualify, students submit a portfolio of previous work and provide a preliminary plan of study to the department chair and advisor for approvals. Students must plan carefully one semester in advance in order to qualify for this course. All reviews and paperwork must be completed by the end of the registration period that precedes the term in which the class will occur. Prerequisite: GD 3040 Design Systems. Written approval by the instructor, departmental Chair, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.