Animation and Visual Effects, B.F.A.

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The B.F.A. in Animation and Visual Effects offers students the opportunity to develop the artistic and technical skills to create or enhance a story using the tools of the digital world, particularly as the media continues to evolve with an increased use of computer-animated characters, digital effects and compositing techniques combining motion capture, live action and animation.

Students pursuing a major in animation and visual effects may only use up to 3 credits of internship coursework to satisfy elective requirements within their major.

Program Learning Outcomes and Educational Effectiveness Evaluation Plans for B.F.A. in Animation and Visual Effects.

Students pursuing the B.F.A. in Animation and Visual Effects are required to:

Earn an overall GPA of 2.000 for all required major courses.
Complete all courses in the major for a letter grade, except for independent internships.
Pass courses in the major with a “C-” or higher, except AVE 202 and AVE 249 which require at least a “B-” in order to satisfy the major requirements.
Complete a minimum of 21 credits from upper division courses in the major.
Complete the senior thesis courses AVE 496 , AVE 497 , AVE 498 .

core requirements (39 credits)

AVE 109 - Fundamental Graphics I for Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
AVE 120 - Introduction to Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
FTV 130 - Introduction to Visual Storytelling 3 credits
AVE 202 - 3D Computer Graphics I 3 credits
AVE 206 - Mechanics of Motion 3 credits
AVE 209 - Fundamental Graphics II for Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
AVE 247 - History and Aesthetics of Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
AVE 249 - Storytelling in Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
AVE 302 - 3D Computer Graphics II 3 credits
AVE 323 - Color and Design: Principles and Practice 3 credits
AVE 496 - Senior Thesis I: Concept Development 3 credits
AVE 497 - Senior Thesis II: Pre-Production and Production I 3 credits
AVE 498 - Senior Thesis III: Production II and Post-Production 3 credits

area of study requirements (21 credits)

Students must complete all the requirements within one of the following areas of study

total credits 60

animation area of study - 2D (21 credits)

AVE 256A - Beginning Character Animation for 2D 3 credits
AVE 354 - Storyboarding and Story Reels 3 credits
AVE 355 - Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
AVE 356A - Intermediate Character Animation for 2D 3 credits
AVE 385 - Character Design 3 credits
AVE 456A - Advanced Character Animation for 2D 3 credits
elective 3 credits (chosen from the recommended electives list for all areas of study)

animation area of study - CG (21 credits)

AVE 256B - Beginning Character Animation for CG 3 credits
AVE 354 - Storyboarding and Story Reels 3 credits
AVE 355 - Production Design for Animation and Visual Effects 3 credits
AVE 356B - Intermediate Character Animation for CG 3 credits
AVE 385 - Character Design 3 credits
AVE 456B - Advanced Character Animation for CG 3 credits
elective 3 credits (chosen from the recommended electives list for all areas of study)

visual effects area of study (21 credits)

AVE 369 - Visual Effects: Fundamental Techniques and Technologies 3 credits
AVE 379 - Advanced Visual Effects Production and Workflow 3 credits
AVE 392 - Advanced Pre-visualization for Motion Pictures 3 credits
AVE 402 - 3D Computer Graphics III 3 credits
AVE 469 - On-Set and Post-Production Visual Effects Supervision 3 credits
elective 3 credits (chosen from the recommended electives list for all areas of study)
one of the following
AVE 242 - 2D Computer Graphics 3 credits
AVE 310 - Animation and Visual Effects Industry Insiders 3 credits

recommended electives for all areas of study

FP 133 - Audio Techniques 3 credits
FP 201 - Actor-Director Workshop 3 credits
CPSC 230 - Computer Science I 3 credits
FP 237 - Cinematography I 3 credits
CPSC 242 - Introduction to the Game Industry 3 credits
FP 293 - Production Design I 3 credits
AVE 310 - Animation and Visual Effects Industry Insiders 3 credits (if not chosen for an area of study requirement)
FP 333 - Audio Design 3 credits
AVE 339 - Digital Illustration 3 credits
CPSC 340 - Game Development 3 credits
AVE 354 - Storyboarding and Story Reels 3 credits
AVE 357 - Writing for Animation 3 credits
FP 481 - Set Decoration 3 credits
FP 486 - Costume Design 3 credits

Animation and Visual Effects, B.F.A. Suggested 4-year Plans

Animation and Visual Effects, B.F.A., animation area of study - 2D Suggested 4-year Plan

Animation and Visual Effects, B.F.A., animation area of study - CG Suggested 4-year Plan

Animation and Visual Effects, B.F.A., visual effects area of study Suggested 4-year Plan