Program Requirements
The M.Sc.(Applied) in Multilingual Digital Communication; Non-Thesis is an online 45-credit professional, transdisciplinary and cross-industry program that focuses on transversal competencies in translation, research, project management, copywriting and multilingualism management. Two streams are available, which relate to localized global communication and multilingual communication technologies.
Required Courses (25 credits)
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CMDC 616 Research Methods in Professional (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Introduction to applied research for communication and language industry professionals in a variety of business situations. Overview of research design types. Qualitative methods, with an emphasis on interviews, focus groups and usability tests, as well as quantitative methods, with an emphasis on survey research, summative benchmark studies and web analytics, including exposure to big data analytics. Examination of the fundamental aspects of data collection and data analysis (including essential statistical techniques). Overview of report writing and research ethics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 618 Language Technologies (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Overview of language technologies for translation, including computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools (translation memories, terminology databases, translation and editing environments), project management systems, machine translation engines, and quality assurance and assessment tools, from single-purpose solutions to augmented translation environments. Introduction to industry standards and the role of artificial intelligence in the field of language technology. Theoretical and practical analysis of the principles of creating and managing translation memories and terminology databases. Practical exploration of translation editing environments. Introduction to translation management systems and the benefits of integrating language technology tools under one platform.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 620 Project Management for Global Content (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Examination of important theoretical concepts and best practices in project management, with a focus on global content and localization. Analysis of localization approaches based on different asset types. Study of all phases of the translation and localization project management lifecycle. Review of project management tools for global content, including automation and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools. In-depth analysis of the role of the project manager in a multilingual environment. Stakeholder management, risk management and business intelligence strategies. Application of quality assurance frameworks and tools. The execution of a full-fledged translation or localization project
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 630 Multilingual Desktop Publishing (2 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Introduction to software commonly used to create and localize visual digital content in multilingual contexts. Design principles and the use of various typefaces and fonts are examined and applied to create visual content. Various design software, as well as other content editing software will be reviewed. Execution of a complete Desktop Publishing (DTP) brief – from the initial client request to invoicing.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 650 Multilingual Content Management in Enterprise Solutions (2 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Overview of multilingual content structuring approaches in enterprise solutions and their impact on localization and translation processes. Review of content storage and extraction for translation in a selection of enterprise systems such as content management systems, web content management systems, product information management systems, and e-learning and ecommerce platforms. Examination of benefits of integrating enterprise solutions and translation management systems to automate content extraction and integration, and review of key factors to assess feasibility.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Capstone Experience:
12 credits from either practicum, internship or project courses from the following:
Practicum
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CMDC 694 Practicum 1 (6 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Supervised non-research project in the student’s stream of choice. Supervised by an academic staff member and/or external partner.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 695 Practicum 2 (6 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Supervised non-research project in the student’s stream of choice. Supervised by an academic staff member and/or external partner.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
OR
Internship
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CMDC 696 Intermship 1 (6 credits)
Overview
CMDC : In-person or remote work directed by an external qualified professional in the internship setting and supervised by an academic staff member.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 697 Internship 2 (6 credits)
Overview
CMDC : In-person or remote work directed by an external qualified professional in the internship setting and supervised by an academic staff member.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
OR
Practicum:
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CMDC 698 Applied Research Project 1 (6 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Preparation of applied research proposal and start of research under supervision of an academic staff member. Collaboration with an industry partner is optional.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 699 Applied Research Project 2 (6 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Completion of research project. Submission of research project findings to the supervising industry partner or submission for publication is optional.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Complementary Courses (20 credits)
6 credits to be chose from the following:
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CMDC 610 Approaches to Multilingualism Management (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Critical examination of the concept of multilingualism, its management and its social and economic consequences for the public and private sectors. Different models of institutional and corporate multilingualism management, as well as their effects on the language and communication industries will be analyzed. Implications of language technology developments on multilingualism management.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 612 Writing Effective Copy
(3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Advanced copywriting techniques in English are explored through application of the principles of copywriting for business, marketing and technical contexts. Concepts and principles of effective writing considering audience, purpose, organization and style. Planning, composing and editing business, marketing or technical copy to communicate online, such as web content, blog posts, social media content for various platforms, online articles, internal/external email newsletters, plans and reports. Emphasis on reader-centred writing and the principles of plain language.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 614 Translation Literacy in the Digital Age (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : In-depth examination of the specificities of digital communication in translation. Review of research techniques and tools, as well as translation methods, strategies and procedures best suited to a variety of selected translation challenges concerning digital content. Translation exercises involving different text typologies and genres, ranging from the creative to the technical, each requiring varying degrees of adaptation. Metareflection exercises. Ethics and professional best practices.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
14 credits to be chosen from Stream 1 or Stream 2:
STREAM 1: LOCALIZED GLOBAL COMMUNICATION (LGC)
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CMDC 622 Current Trends in Multilingual Digital Communication (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Theoretical and practical examination of the principles, techniques and challenges of digital communication in a multilingual global context. Study of the role of digital communication in integrated communications including advertising, public information and public relations, social media and content marketing. Review of the use of content management systems and marketing automation tools. Overview of digital communication channels and platforms for different locales, and outline of the content created for each. Analysis of the role and use of machine translation and other artificial intelligence (AI)-driven applications in the creation and management of integrated digital communications in multiple languages.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 642 Social Media & Community Management in Multilingual Contexts (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 644 Multilingual Search Engine Optimization and Web Analytics (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Organic and paid search engine optimization (SEO), multilingual SEO, and the relevance of both for communication and language professionals working with multilingual digital content. Keyword research process and tools. Selection and adaptation of keywords and other search information to write qualified trafficgenerating content for each target market and language. Creation of SEO-optimized content (natively created, localized or transcreated content) in multilingual contexts as part of a larger data-driven multilingual SEO program. Analysis of multi-language website strategy and the overall benefits of implementing a multilingual SEO program. Multilingual SEO metrics and analytics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 646 Global Digital Communication and Localization Strategies (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Study and application of the analytical frameworks for strategic communication in a global context to outline a global communications plan that includes a localization strategy. Analysis of key concepts including globalization, internationalization, localization, translation and transcreation. Analysis of culture-specific content localization for different locales, as well as key considerations regarding technologies and channels, content and engagement, access, and usability of a product or service across cultures.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 652 Transcreational Lab (2 credits)
Overview
CMDC : A detailed examination of the specificities of the transcreation process, including Search Engine Optimization (SEO) keyword research, the transcreation client brief and the quoting process for transcreation projects. Execution of a full-fledged transcreation project for a product or brand.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
STREAM 2: MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (MCT)
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CMDC 623 Artificial Intelligence in Multilingual (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), with the goal of understanding the technology, its applications and its impact on professional practices and organizational workflows. How algorithm correctness is attained and how language technology experts can evaluate algorithm bias and contribute to adjusting and optimizing AI applications. Overview of current AI applications in multilingual communication and organizational processes. Analysis of the applicability of current developments, as well as their impact on the multilingual digital communication industries, society and the human-machine experience.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 643 Technical Writing (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Best practices and principles in technical writing, including document design. Application to technical writing/communication genres, including product descriptions and specifications, end-user instructions, how-to and troubleshooting guides, user acceptance tests, standard operating procedures, technical reports and white papers.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 645 Advanced Language Technology:Evaluation amd Implementation (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : In-depth examination of computer-assisted translation tools and translation management systems beyond core functionalities, delving into the advanced features that distinguish these systems. Empirical comparative research on language technologies and evaluation methods explored via practical exercises on the best tool, asset and system configuration selection, including IT infrastructure factors. Introduction to software implementation methodologies adapted to language technologies. The key concepts of business analysis and overview of various language technology implementation plans, main risks and mitigation measures, including change management.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 647 Translation and Large Language Models (3 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Review of machine translation research, along with its history, status, strengths, limitations, user cases and impact on the multilingual digital communication industries and society at large. Examination of selected natural language processing applications (e.g., neural machine translation, generative artificial intelligence), including engine customization options (e.g., glossaries, machine learning, rule adaptation). Review of the literature on the nature, techniques and best practices associated with machine translation, and application of techniques using large language models on a variety of document types. The use of evaluation metrics to assess the benefits of different translation technologies and processes in different scenarios.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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CMDC 653 Data Structure for Language Professionals (2 credits)
Overview
CMDC : Localization and internationalization core concepts, processes and best practices as a background to the implications of common data-related pitfalls (e.g., in encoding, multi-byte characters, text directionality, text extraction and file format conversion). File pre- and postprocessing, specifications and validation tools, with an emphasis on tagged files (e.g., XML, HTML), industry standards (e.g., XLIFF, TMX, TBX) and advanced desktop publishing formats, as well as file manipulation strategies (e.g., regular expressions, file converters, macros, scripts, basic database queries).
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
