Artifice Department
Modern Artifice
Artifice has occupied a small niche throughout history, often being overshadowed by disciplines such as Herbology, Cryptozoology, and the Culinary Arts. However, modern techniques reveal the true versatility and power these crafts offer, especially when combined with techniques and theory present in mundane engineering practices.
The goal of the Artifice department at Bigglebottom is to bring the ancient art of Artifice into the modern age and prepare students for an ever-changing world.
Majors
Bigglebottom offers three different specializations in Artifice.
All students participate in a senior year CAPSTONE, in which they collaborate with peers in other majors on a project that will prepare them for careers in an interconnected world.
Magical Engineering
Students on the Magical Engineering track will learn how to combine different materials into ensorcelled machines. Gone are the days of swords, shield, and staves. Through the study of Magical Engineering, majors discover how to utilize material’s inherent attributes to create functional items greater than the sum of their parts.
Magical Metallurgy
Magical metals are widely present yet more difficult to manipulate than plant and animal resources. Students of Magical Metallurgy will learn the many properties and uses of magic metals and how to process them into functional components.
Students on this track will be introduced to modern techniques, which offer higher flexibility and accuracy for metallurgists, as well as traditional alchemical practices. Coursework encourages experimentation with new methods and alloys to push the bounds of what is possible.
Mineralogy
Students on the Mineralogy track will study the theory and potential applications of the many minerals, crystals, and metals present in our world. Bigglebottom pushes students to think outside the box and adapt old theories to new applications.
Representative Coursework
Courses in the Artifice department are open to all majors and others who satisfy the prerequisites. Below are listed some of the most popular courses in recent years.
Magical Alloys 101 (ARTI 101):
Prerequisites: None
Course Credits: 3 units
Course Duration: One semester
Description:
Students will be introduced to the concepts of metals and alloys in preparation for later applied classes. The class not only covers magic alloy theory, but also introduces the history of alloying and the potential dangers of unknown and untested mixtures. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and wisdom to handle 200-level applied alloying classes.
Crystal Cutting (ARTI 225):
Prerequisites: Crystal Theory (ARTI 135)
Course Credits: 4 units
Course Duration: One semester
Description:
This course involves refining basic crystal lattices for later use in magical object creation. Starting from the simplest lattice, students will work their way to a final group project creating a simple focus using an element crystal. Lab course.
Imbuing (ARTI 205):
Prerequisites: Basic Preparation Techniques For Magical Substances (CART 115)
Course Credits: 4 units
Course Duration: One semester
Description:
Students will apply their knowledge of different attributes and learn how to imbue them into special magical materials. This course involves identifying suitable materials and compatible attributes. By the end of the course, students will be able to perform intermediate level imbuing. Lab course.
Applied Magic and Technology (ARTI 352):
Prerequisites: Magic & Technology (HIST 210), plus one semester of student exchange program with an accredited mundane higher education program (need equivalent courses to: Basics of Mundane Tech, Ethics of Technology).
Course Credits: 4 units
Course Duration: One semester
Description:
Students will dip their toes into one of the newest magical fields, the integration of magic and technology. They will use technological stimuli such as electrical currents to trigger wizardly effects in magically crafted items. Students planning to take this course must have participated in a student exchange program for a semester at a qualifying mundane institution. Lab course.
Image Citations:
Blacksmith, Forge, Mineral, Lab
