Art Degrees Online

Total Credits Required: 120

The three-dimensional animation major merges the creative process with technology driven skills. You will first gain mastery in life drawing, concept drawing, composition, and character design.

Then you’ll deal more extensively with modeling, texturing and lighting in a 3-D environment with the use of advanced software like PhotoShop, SoftImage, Alias/Wavefront, Maya, and others.

You may then want to push the boundaries of your creativity by exploring the field of game design. Or perhaps you’ll choose to dig deeper into the ideas of compositing and scripting.
Core Animation Classes: 54 credits
History of International Animation 3 Credits
Fundamentals of Animation 3 Credits
Creative Visualization 3 Credits
Tools + Techniques of Contemporary Animation 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Modeling 3 Credits
Animation Sound Design + Video Production 3 Credits
Animation Sophomore/ Junior Portfolio Review 0 Credits
Animation Media Delivery Techniques 3 Credits
3-D Animation Thesis 1 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Concepts + Techniques 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Lighting + Materials 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Motion Studies 3 Credits
2-D/3-D Animation Thesis 2 3 Credits
Animation Senior Portfolio Review Credits
Business, Ethics + Copyright for Animation 3 Credits
Animation Collective 1 3 Credits
3-D Advanced Dynamics + SFX 3 Credits
3-D Advanced Character Creation Methods 3 Credits
Animation Collective 2 3 Credits
2-D/3-D Advanced Compositing 3 Credits
AN 3-D Elective Classes
Animation Electives: 6 credits

We recommend any two of the following:
Scriptwriting for Animation 3 Credits
Animation Layout + Production Design 3 Credits
Design + Animation for Games 3 Credits
Experimental Computer Animation 3 Credits
Advanced Scripting 3 Credits
Foundation Studies: 21 credits
Digital Image Making 3 Credits
Visual Design 1 3 Credits
Drawing 1 3 Credits
Drawing 2 3 Credits
Life Drawing 1 3 Credits
Life Drawing 2 3 Credits
Freshman Portfolio Review 0 Credits
Visual Design 2 3 Credits
Communication and Critical Thought: 6 credits
Written + Oral Communication 3 Credits
Written + Oral Communication Lab 0 Credits
Philosophy of Art + Design 3 Credits
History of Art + Design: 12 credits
Art + Design History 1: Ancient to Medieval 3 Credits
Art + Design History 2: Renaissance to Contemporary 3 Credits
History of Art + Design in the Nonwestern World 3 Credits
Advanced Studies in the History of Art + Design 3 Credits
Humanities + Contemporary Thought: 9 credits
Seminar 1, Seminar 2 and one other course.

Humanities Seminar 1 3 Credits
Humanities Seminar 2 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: History and Theory of the Body 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: Theatre Studies 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: Identity and Power 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: The Cultural Politics of Consumption 3 Credits
Mathematics: 3 credits

Choose one of the following:
Basic Mathematics 3 Credits
Applied Mathematics 3 Credits
Financial Principles + Practices 3 Credits
Physical + Natural Science: 3 credits

Choose any one of the following:
Climate Change 3 Credits
Earth Science 3 Credits
Life Science 3 Credits
Human Ecology 3 Credits
Social + Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

Choose two of the following:
Anthropology 3 Credits
Social Psychology 3 Credits
World Belief Systems 3 Credits
Biological Anthropology 3 Credits

Animation Core Requirements (51 credits)
COMU 100 The Christian Role in the Arts Today (3)
CTVU 102 Cinema-Television Equipment Workshop (1)
CTVU 210 Storytelling and Scriptwriting (3)
CTVU 258 Audio Production (3) (3)
CTVU 270 Editing Theory (3) (3)
CTVU 356 Non-linear Video Editing (3) (3)
ANIM 103 Introduction to Digital Art (2) (2)
ANIM 112 Web-Based Graphics and Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 202 Art Studio 1: Life Drawing (3) (3)
ANIM 212 Art Studio 2: Drawing for Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 343 History of Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 303 3-D Animation in Maya (3) (3)
ANIM 310 The Business of Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 313 Character Design, Rigging, and Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 403 Advanced 3D Animation Techniques (3) (3)
ANIM 413 Graphics for Television (3) (3)
ANIM 416 Culminating Project (3) (2)
ANIM 450 Special Effects for Film and Television (3) (3)
Electives (20 credits)
Elective credits can be taken in any discipline (100-400 college-level courses)
Total Degree Hours: 120

There’s a growing demand for graduates with strong skills in the field of character animation, an area which has seen some spectacular developments in recent years. This course is designed to equip you with these skills.

We offer a comprehensive programme of study in computer animation, from fundamental traditional skills to state-of-the-art techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on 2D and 3D character animation, advanced character animation, scriptwriting and professional studio practice.

Animex, the annual International Festival of Animation run by the University, gives you access to the knowledge and skills of successful animators, directors, artists and designers

The increasing scale, quality, sophistication and maturity of industry use of computer graphics has led to a growing demand for graduates with specialised animation skills. This course is designed to give you exactly the skills which employers are looking for.

We cover everything from fundamental traditional skills to current state-of-the-art techniques, emphasising drawing and composition, animation skills and the use of digital studio tools.

You will specialise in 2D and 3D animation, scriptwriting and professional animation studio pre-production, sound, production and practice, with options in character animation, effects and technical animation.

* This course has a Foundation Year for applicants who don’t meet the requirements for Year 1 entry. There are limited places available.

More about the Foundation Year Games and Animation
How you learn

For each module you are studying you will be expected to attend a lecture and a tutorial session each week. Early tutorials will focus on developing skills. In the later tutorials you will be working on assessments and using this time to get feedback and advice from tutors.

You will be expected to manage your time to complete work outside the tutorial sessions. In your final year, the Practical Project allows you the freedom to set your own project based on your skills and interests.
How you are assessed

Assessment for all modules will be in the form of practical projects, which you work on throughout the year.
Professional accreditation

This is one of only six courses in the UK to be endorsed through the industry-backed Sector Skills Council accreditation scheme.
Professional placement

You may apply to take a year-long supervised work placement between your second and final years. Placements provide an opportunity for you to improve your employment prospects by developing new skills and deepening your understanding of the subject.

The placement year is assessed and contributes to your final degree award. Students are selected by employers through interview and are normally paid by the host organisation during the placement.
Career opportunities

You will learn the skills you will need for a career in film and TV, the multimedia and games industries, advertising or visualisation.
Entry requirements

A typical offer will be 220-280 tariff points which must include at least two A levels or equivalent.

Normally you will be expected to attend an interview.

You must also be able to show evidence of artistic ability with either an art-based qualification or a portfolio of work.

If you apply for a course for which your educational background is inappropriate, you may receive an offer in a related but more suitable area.