The Bachelor of Science in Computer Animation and Game Development is designed to teach the skills necessary to succeed in a career in game development, animation, or CGI/VFX. Students are prepared for a variety of industry roles, including 3D animator, 3D modeler, texture artist, video game producer, designer, developer, scripter, and motion capture specialist. Within the degree are two options, one in animation production and one in game development, which provide instruction and practice in the specific skill sets, tools, and techniques used in those industries.
The option in animation production. This option offers core courses with two specialized tracks in 3D modeling and animation. The CGI (3D modeling) track engages students in 3D modeling workflow focusing on creating detailed 3D assets for animation, video games, and interactive media, as well as introducing and practicing digital sculpting techniques, 3D scanning, and photogrammetry. The animation track covers fundamental to advanced techniques in animation, with a particular emphasis on 3D animation for film and games, and offers specialized courses in 3D character rigging and motion capture utilizing industry-standard tools and processes. Students learn the animation production workflow from story concept to completion and participate in a production environment culminating in a portfolio-ready animated short.
The option in game development. The curriculum covers the production workflow for game creation, from concept to completion. The game production pipeline includes iterative game design, establishing game mechanics, scripting, prototyping, narrative, production, development, and Agile Scrum methodology. Bringing these game studio project management practices into the classroom provides students with collaborative team experiences in simulated studio environments. Students learn to create interactive media through flow theory, game scripting skills, leadership roles, project planning and team management. Students complete the major having three shipped titles to itch.io and Google Play.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
A grade of C- or higher is required in all Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) courses required for the major.
Course Requirements for the Major: 69-70 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
For the Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) degree, students must successfully complete the lower-division major core CAGD courses with a C- or higher prior to taking any upper-division CAGD courses.
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
In addition to the common requirements for the Honors in the Major program given above, the Honors in Computer Animation and Game Development program includes the following:
You must be recommended by a faculty member.
To complete the Honors in Computer Animation and Game Development program, you must complete two semesters of CAGD 499H with minimum grades of B. You must define a research problem or performance area and develop a Honors Research Project/Thesis proposal approved by your major advisor and completed by the end of your second semester of CAGD 499H. You must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and must make a public presentation of the results of your Honors project.
Each Honors in the Major class requires completion of the course plus an additional Honors project and culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Writing and Math Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
Any upper-division Writing (W) course.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE English Composition (1A) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
