Animation

A focus area in the M.S. Computer Graphics Technology Program
in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology

Computer Animation has become ubiquitous in the modern media landscape, used for entertainment, technical communication, visualization and simulation. The global animation industry continues to grow, both in total value, global activity and in the range of technologies, applications and delivery platforms.

Students who concentrate in Computer Animation have the opportunity to experience all key areas of the digital animation process, preparing them for a growing range of technical and creative positions in the global animation industry, or as research scholars in the animation technology area. Computer Animation is closely related to Game Studies, Visual Effects and Virtual Reality – all of which are areas of expertise in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology, with graduate level courses available to students pursuing the MS with a concentration in Animation.

Opportunities

• Technical Director
• Animator
• Rigger
• Texture artist
• Digital lighting specialist
• Simulation and visualization specialist

 

Program Structure

The MS degree in Computer Graphics Technology is highly flexible, allowing for coursework to be taken both within CGT and across other graduate programs on campus. Students may select to pursue either a research thesis or a capstone production project in their final year of study. The plan of study below indicates a common arrangement of courses to complete the MS degree with a concentration in Animation.

	Thesis Option	Non-Thesis Option
1st Semester	CGT 501 Seminar In Computer Graphics Technology (1 cr.) CGT 511 The Development Of Graphics In Technology (3 cr.) CGT 581 The Art and Technology of Computer Animation (3 cr.) CGT 581 Animation History, Technology and Technique (3 cr.)	CGT 501 Seminar In Computer Graphics Technology (1 cr.) CGT 511 The Development Of Graphics In Technology (3 cr.) CGT 581 The Art and Technology of Computer Animation (3 cr.) CGT 544 Animation History, Technology and Technique (3 cr.)
2nd Semester	CGT 501 Seminar In Computer Graphics Technology (1 cr.) CGT 610 Visual Intelligence And Perception (3 cr.) CGT 540 Current Topics In 3D Animation (3 cr.)  CGT XXX Non Animation Elective (3 cr.)	CGT 501 Seminar In Computer Graphics Technology (1 cr.) CGT 610 Visual Intelligence And Perception (3 cr.) CGT 540 Current Topics In 3D Animation (3 cr.)  CGT XXX Non Animation Elective (3 cr.)
3rd Semester	CGT 501 Seminar In Computer Graphics Technology (1 cr.) CGT XXX Non Animation Elective (3 cr.) STAT/MA or TECH 646-00 or TECH 697-00 (3 cr.) CGT 698 Animation Research Thesis (defend proposal) (2 cr.)	CGT 501 Seminar In Computer Graphics Technology (1 cr.) CGT XXX Non Animation Elective (3 cr.) STAT/MA or TECH 646-00 or TECH 697-00 (3 cr.) CGT 597 Animation Capstone (Pre-production) (3 cr.)
4th Semester	CGT 698 Animation Research Thesis (defend thesis) (4 cr.) CGT 540 Current Topics In 3D Animation (3 cr.)  **Registered as a Candidate	CGT 597 Animation Capstone (Production) (3 cr.) CGT 540 Current Topics In 3D Animation (3 cr.)  **Registered as a Candidate

New courses are frequently added to the graduate animation course offerings to reflect the continually developing technology and practices in the animation industry. Program requirements and additional course options can be found here.

 

Student Success

Alumni Kaileen Kraemer, Norman Joseph, Christian Barrett and Nara Yun celebrate the 2015 animated awards season. (courtesy photos)

“Whether you want to become an animator, software engineer, concept artist or producer, it is important you have a strong and always growing understanding of the technology that goes into creating these films.”

Kaileen Kramer, alumnus. Read more from the Exponent about these “Big Hero 6” animators.

 

  

 

Images: Devonn Wilson