Computer Animation and Game Development
Insight
For more than 20 years, Computer Animation and Game Development has continued to evolve and grow to meet the needs of students seeking careers in a rapidly expanding and dynamic industry. The program aims to integrate creativity and technology by combining technical skills, industry-standard software, and artistic concepts to bring innovative ideas to life. With a strong foundation in teaching and industry expertise, faculty prepare students to design and implement video games, animations, and interactive experiences that communicate, inform, and entertain.
Computer Animation and Game Development offers collaborative lab/classroom environments in which students engage in theory and application-based curriculum providing opportunities to develop cutting-edge skills for the video game and animation industries.
CAGD is in the School of Media, Entertainment, Technology, and Immersive Experiences.
Experience
Facilities. Students have access to two computer labs each featuring over 30 high-performance PCs equipped with high-resolution curved monitors. A third collaborative lab is designed to foster team experiences, creating a space for creative projects and interdisciplinary engagement. A dedicated motion capture lab offers hands-on experience and practical application, bridging theoretical knowledge with techniques widely used in industries such as game development, animation and film production, and virtual reality.
Student Community. The Computer Graphics Club (CGC) is the student-run club associated with CAGD. The club fosters a student community centered on animation and game discussions, activities, meetings, workshops, events, and engagement with peers and alumni.
Outlook
Our diverse population of graduates are prepared to enter careers in industries such as:
- video games, animation
- film, television
- advertising, marketing
- augmented and virtual reality
- digital visualization, preservation, and simulation in heritage, museum, medical, construction, and manufacturing
- education
CAGD alumni are employed across a wide variety of studios and industries including but not limited to:
- 2K Games
- Warner Bros. Games
- Epic Games
- Weta Digital
- Sony Imageworks
- Ubisoft
- Pixar
- Blizzard
- Rockstar
- Lucasfilm
- Bad Robot
- Microsoft Games
Programs
Undergraduate
Bachelor's
Minors
See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.
CAGD 110 Computer-Assisted Art I 3 Units GE
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course provides an introduction to computer graphics and art. Students use the computer as a tool for creating static and animated images. Basic instruction in design and color relationships is provided. The writing component may include research reports from current graphics publications and/or attendance and discussion of art exhibitions. 4 hours activity, 1 hour discussion. (002287)
General Education: Arts (3A)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 112 Virtual and Physical Camera Applications 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is designed as an introduction to multiple software packages and applicable techniques to develop skills to create 3D assets based on real world environments and objects. We explore the practical uses of physical and virtual cameras, material and 3D scanning for asset creation, scene composition, and digital lighting. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (015869)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 117 Concept Design and Storyboarding 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
An in-depth look into the pre-production process as it directly pertains to storyboard creation, character development and design, pre-visualization techniques, and principles of concept design. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (015870)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 150 Introduction to Visual Scripting 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Students are introduced to fundamental visual scripting concepts such as problem solving and program design, control flow, variables, input/output systems, and digital asset manipulation. The course examines artificial intelligence tools, workflows, and their ethical implications. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (022667)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 160 Introduction to Virtual Production 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 112 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course introduces the essentials of virtual production, combining elements of filmmaking and game development to prepare students for the dynamic field of real-time production environments. The course covers both technical and creative aspects of CGI including real-time rendering, motion capture integration, and virtual set design. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (022668)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 170 Video Game Design 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
An introduction course to video game design, studying the art, technology, and science involved in the creation and development of video games. The course covers video game history, game theory, design of computer-based games, delivery systems, development cycle, case studies, ethical and social issues, and emerging technologies and trends. This course emphasizes the understanding and the interdisciplinary nature of video game design. This is not a computer programming course. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (020239)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 180 Scripting and Programming for Computer Graphics 3 Units
Prerequisite: GE Critical Thinking (1B), GE Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning (2).
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course introduces application scripting and programming to visual artists using scripting and programming environments embedded in applications and integrated graphical development environments. Fundamental scripting techniques for computer modeling, animation, video game, and other visual media are explored. Elementary application programs are designed, implemented, and tested. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (020648)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 189 Industry Internship 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
0 hours supervision. (020125)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 198 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Department permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 0 hours lecture. (020130)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 199 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision. (020133)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 230 Digital Modeling I 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 112 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course explores the basic concepts, principles, practices, tools and techniques of digital modeling, and production pipeline used primarily in CGI, games, and simulations. Topics include creating modifying, texturing, lighting, and rendering basic architectural and prop objects. Projects are designed to guide students through the process of designing digital objects and understanding how objects are imported and used in CGI, games, and simulations. Students produce digital models that demonstrate these concepts, principles, workflow, and technique. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (021443)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 240 Digital Animation I 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 110 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course explores the basic principles and techniques of motion utilizing animation tools to facilitate in-betweening, timing, squash and stretch, and more. Students create animations that demonstrate these principles and techniques that effectively communicate to an audience. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (020240)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 250 Introduction to Technical CGI 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course provides an introduction and technical foundation to tools and strategies used to develop both pre-visualized and final deliverables leading to effective visual communication as it relates to digital production in the game and animation industries. Emphasis is placed on the basics of compositing techniques and components of 3D pre-visualization. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (022151)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 270 Level Design 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 170 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This project-oriented course introduces the concepts and tools used in creating levels for games. Fundamental architectural theory, critical path, flow, pacing, dilemmas, balancing, difficulty level, playtesting, and storytelling relating to level design are studied. Existing game levels are studied and analyzed; original game levels are created using industry toolsets to meet game design objectives. Understanding how level design fits into the production pipeline and how to work in collaborative environments. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (021350)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 280 Introduction to Game Scripting 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
The course covers an introduction to game scripting concepts and will take the student through the process of creating prototypes and games using an industry-standard game engine. The course will explore using a game engine and associated scripting to maneuver characters around in 2D/3D space, develop interactive game environments, implement special effects, manipulate objects, script menus and graphical user interfaces, create non-player character behaviors, and much more. The student is required to have basic programming skills and game design experience from which the course will expand in using scripting and a game engine to create effective games. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (022150)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 289 Industry Internship 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
0 hours supervision. (020126)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 295 Managing Media Pipelines 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the techniques and principles involved in media production workflow, specifically within the context of video games, animation, and CGI. The course teaches how to successfully manage complex processes including planning, execution, monitoring, control, and production closure. Students learn how to work collaboratively with production teams, clients, and stakeholders. Media production management software tools and best practices for ensuring production success are also covered. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (022592)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Laptop required
CAGD 298 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
0 hours lecture. (020131)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 299 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision. (020134)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CAGD 320 Digital Texturing 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 230 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course explores the concepts, principles, practices, tools, and techniques of UV layout for 3D models and the digital texturing process. Topics include UV layout, material creation, texture painting and baking, level of detail, and import/export of final content into various media formats. Students demonstrate the concepts, principles, workflow and techniques as part of the texturing pipeline associated with industry standard practices. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (021903)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 325 Motion Capture 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course provides students an understanding and a practical application of motion capture technology used for game, virtual reality (VR), film and simulations. It provides students with fundamental skills in the use and aesthetics of motion capture. Students gain practical experience in calibrating and operating a motion capture system, and in planning and implementing a motion capture shoot. Students also gain an overview of the broader context of motion capture such as its use in computer generated imagery (CGI), animation, game development, and interactive performance. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (021778)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 329 Digital Sculpting 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 320 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall only
This course focuses on digital sculpting techniques including composition and workflow to create digital sculptures specialized for animation and game development. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (022652)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 330 3D Digital Modeling II 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 320 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall only
This course uses 3D modeling and animation software to create high-resolution 3D computer models. The tools, techniques, and topics studied include advanced 3D modeling tools, topology, 3D micro-scene layout, lighting, texturing, and rendering. 4 hours activity, 1 hour discussion. (002317)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 331 3D Character Modeling 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 330 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Spring only
A study of the necessary principles and techniques of creating digital 3D characters. Students learn the necessary skills for modeling characters, creating effective anatomy, and rigging characters for animation purposes. 4 hours activity, 1 hour lecture. (020241)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 340 Digital Animation II 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 240 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
The concepts of computer imaging and animation are taught in this project-based course. Focus is on the principles of animation and how they apply to current computer animation techniques. This course emphasizes both creative and technical skills. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (002366)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 345W Advanced Animation Pre-Production and Story Development (W) 3 Units W, GW
Prerequisite: GE English Composition (1A), CAGD 250 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Concentration on story development as it directly relates to computer animation. Students write a treatment, script, and storyboard for an animation project. Emphasis is placed on understanding the story structure, writing interesting dialogue, and developing an in-depth storyboard. The course gives students a practical approach to creating the pre-production component of an animated "short." 3 hours lecture. (015871)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment
CAGD 350 3D Scanning 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course provides an introduction and technical foundation to tools and strategies used to develop 3D scanned content and deliverables leading to effective visual communication as it relates to digital production in the game and animation industries. Emphasis is placed on the basics of scanning theory, hardware uses and limitations, safety, digital capture and pipeline development. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (022149)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 358 Emerging Technologies in Media and Entertainment 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 150, CAGD 230 for CAGD majors; JOUR 255 or 255W, JOUR 260W for JOUR majors; MADT 206 for MADT majors.
Typically Offered: Fall only
This professional skills and technology course teaches students in media, entertainment, and technology fields about new and emerging trends in media and entertainment technologies, including, but not limited to, virtual reality, augmented reality, photogrammetry, LiDAR scanning, 360 degree photo-scanning, and motion capture. The course is focused on the exploration of emerging technologies, as it applies to the various industries in media and entertainment, including, but not limited to, journalism, storytelling, and game development. 3 hours discussion. (021966)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 370 Video Game Development 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course covers the principles of game design, gaming strategies, game production, and marketing. Students learn to function as a productive member of an interdisciplinary game design team to plan, document, and develop a video game concept. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (020242)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 373 Game Asset Production 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 320 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course explores the basic concepts, principles, practices, tools and techniques of game asset production and the production pipeline used primarily in games and interactive environments. Topics include creating, modifying, texturing, lighting, and rendering environmental and prop assets across a variety of media. Projects are designed to guide students through the process of designing digital assets and understanding how objects are important and used in games and interactive environments. Students produce game assets that demonstrate the concepts, principles, workflows, and techniques associated with game asset production. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (021633)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 374W Interactive Storytelling in Video Games 3 Units W
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course examines video games as a storytelling medium, investigating how interactive storytelling incorporating rich characters and stories that incite an immersive experience, requires approaches to writing that may be linear or nonlinear. Students will delve into the evolution of narrative in video games along with the iterative process of writing for video games and examine the critical component of a unified experience between writer and level designer. Students will engage in the elements of narrative for video games through investigation, analysis, and design. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (022152)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required; Writing Course
CAGD 375W Video Game Pre-Production 3 Units W, GW
Prerequisite: GE English Composition (1A); CAGD 370 (with a grade C- or higher).
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
An intermediary course studying the video game pre-production and development process. This course covers the software and production processes used within the video game development industry. Emphasis is placed on game documentation, team communications, and understanding Agile production processes. The course gives students a practical approach to creating the pre-production elements of a video game. 3 hours lecture. (022194)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment
CAGD 377 Mobile Game Development 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 370 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course investigates the evolution of mobile gaming and the challenges for developing mobile games such as game design, art, programming, distribution, marketing, and monetization are examined. The phases in mobile game development and various roles in a development project are explored. Existing and planned mobile games are analyzed. The process of planning, designing, implementing, and producing mobile games on various architectures are also investigated. Throughout the course, game concepts and proposals are created for analysis with promising proposals moving on to planning, design, implementation, and development. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (021444)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 380 Game Scripting 3 Units
Typically Offered: Spring only
This course covers an introduction to game scripting and takes the student through the process of creating games using an industry-standard game engine. The course explores using a game engine and associated scripting to maneuver characters around in 3D space, develop game environments, implement special effects, manipulate objects, script menus and graphical user interfaces, create non-player character behaviors, and much more. The student is required to have basic programming skills and game design experience from which this course expands in using scripting and game engine to create effective games. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (021604)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 389 Industry Internship 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This internship is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Students must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision. (020127)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 398 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (015892)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 399 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision. (020135)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 420 3D Environment Modeling 3 Units
Typically Offered: Spring only
This course explores the techniques used for simulating realistic 3D modeling, lighting, and texturing in 3D environments and develops skills in accurate image creation, narrative, and rendering. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (020243)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 432 3D Character Rigging 3 Units
Typically Offered: Spring only
This course explains the technical skills and challenges of rigging for 3D animation. Students develop key technical skills for 3D character setup including how to build, rig, skin, pose, and test 3D models for animation. Students explore the process of creating joints, assembling skeletons, fine-tuning rigs for realistic motion, rigging bodies and faces, and techniques for binding surfaces to skeletal rigs for animation. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (021225)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 441 3D Character Animation 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 340 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course covers the study of motion, timing and acting as they apply to animated characters. Emphasis is on the performance of the character and how it reads to the audience. Techniques and methods for facial expressing, lip-synching, and staging are explored. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (020245)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 445 2D Digital Animation 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 240.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course teaches the basics of 2D animation, emphasizing foundational animation techniques in a production workflow. In this project-based course students gain experience in the principles of animation, production process, character development, 2D animation drawing skills, and in a survey of the history of animation, among other animation industry processes and procedures. 1 hour activity, 2 hours discussion. (002367)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 458 Applied Emerging Technologies in Media and Entertainment 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 112, CAGD 180 for CAGD majors; JOUR 255 or JOUR 255W, JOUR 260W for JOUR majors; MADT 206 for MADT majors.
Typically Offered: Spring only
This professional skills and technology project-based course engages students in new and emerging technologies in media and entertainment through applied projects requiring students to work in multidisciplinary teams to create completed visual content projects. The course is focused on the application of new and emerging technologies with relevance in various media and entertainment industries, including, but not limited to, journalism, storytelling, and game development. 3 hours discussion. (021969)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 470 Video Game Production 3 Units
Prerequisite: CAGD 375W (with a grade of C- or higher); CAGD 373 (with a grade of C- or higher) for CAGD majors only.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Using the principles of game design, students work in collaborative teams to design, implement, test, and produce a computer game. Marketing strategies are also explored. 4 hours activity, 1 hour lecture. (020246)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 489 Industry Internship 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
0 hours supervision. (020128)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 493 Senior Portfolio 3 Units
Prerequisite: Senior standing in CAGD.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course affords senior level students the opportunity to develop work for a professional-quality portfolio through directed senior-level projects demonstrating their creativity, and acquired aesthetic and technical skills in their area of study. Projects are selected by negotiation starting with a specific written proposal and plan. The course utilizes the process of preparing and deploying a professional portfolio to incorporate these new works and refined selections of prior works. The course also addresses self-promotional strategies and successful work practices of industry professionals. Students are required to formally present the portfolio. Class time will be a mix of lecture, discussion, presentation, critique, meetings, and activities. 3 hours discussion. (021424)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 495 Advanced Production 3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is designed to give hands-on experience to students in Computer Animation and Game Development or related majors. Students work as collaborators on large-scale, professional productions relevant to their field of study. Content of this course is subject to change each semester. 4 hours activity, 1 hour discussion. (020563)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 12 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 498 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (015891)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 499 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision. (020136)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 499H Honors Project 3 Units
Prerequisite: Junior standing, top 5% of major.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
An enrolled student must be sponsored by a full-time faculty member in Computer Animation and Game Development. Independent study resulting in a piece of scholarly or creative work involving substantial research to be completed and publicly presented. Must receive a grade of B or higher. This course must be taken during two consectuvie semesters in order to complete the 6-unit Honors project. This course is not available to graduate students. 9 hours supervision. (020643)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 545 Game Animation 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course explores the pipeline and workflow of producing animated sequences and cycles for gameplay. Students create, import and utilize animations for gameplay with attention to the constraints and requirements of game engines. Students produce animations that are functional in-game and reusable for a range of characters and game objects. Techniques and methods for successful cycles, combat mechanics, and player agency are explored. 1 hour activity, 2 hours discussion. (020248)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Laptop required
CAGD 589 Industry Internship 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
0 hours supervision. (020129)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 598 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Department permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 0 hours lecture. (020132)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 599 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision. (020137)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CAGD 697 Independent Study 1-6 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
0 hours supervision. (020138)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 10 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
CAGD 698 Graduate Seminar in Computer Graphics 3 Units
Typically Offered: Inquire at department
3 hours seminar. (020402)
Grade Basis: Graduate Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Graduate Division
Computer Animation and Game Development Program
The Faculty
Daniel G Alioto 2018
Lecturer
Associate of Arts Orlando College
Justin Amian 2022
Lecturer
Christina G Backlund 2015
Lecturer
Master of Arts CSU-Chico
Preston Farris 2023
Lecturer
Bachelor of Science CSU-Chico
Edgar I Garcia Muro 2019
Lecturer
Bachelor of Science CSU-Chico
Kilan S Larsen 2021
Lecturer
Associate of Arts Irvine Valley College
Frank L Pereira 2003
Lecturer
Master of Arts CSU-Chico
Cody W Philbrook 2021
Lecturer
Nathan J Pool 2021
Lecturer
Mark K Pullyblank 2012
Lecturer
Certificate Vancouver Inst of Media Arts, Vancouver BC, Canada
Martin A Salcedo 2019
Lecturer
Bachelor of Science CSU-Chico
Jeff M Underwood 2012
Assistant Professor
Bachelor of Science CSU-Chico
Jennifer K Underwood 2015
Program Coordinator
Master of Arts CSU-Chico
Connor W Zelinsky 2019
Lecturer
Master of Science Glasgow School of Art/Glasgow University
Emeritus Faculty
Clarke H Steinback
Emeritus
Doctor of Philosophy Univ Of Cal-Santa Cruz