Computer Animation and Game Development BS
Total Units Required: 120
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. 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. Students learn the core components of production, from conceptualization to end product, as well as industry pipelines, workflows, and more. Beyond core coursework this option offers two course groupings, allowing students to focus on either 3D animation or computer-generated imagery (CGI). Our animation production alumni are employed at entertainment companies around the world, including Disney, Pixar, Sony Imageworks, Weta Digital, and more.
The option in game development. Students learn the fundamentals of game development, including level design, game scripting, and production. Students also learn and practice game development workflow, rapid prototyping, agile development, and industry-standard tools. Game development alumni are employed at game companies including Epic Games, 2K, Ubisoft, Blizzard, and more.
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 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 four lower-division core CAGD courses with a C- or higher prior to taking any upper-division CAGD courses.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| CAGD 110 | Computer-Assisted Art I | 3 |
| CAGD 112 | Virtual and Physical Cameras Applications | 3 |
| CAGD 180 | Scripting and Programming for Computer Graphics | 3 |
| CAGD 230 | Digital Modeling | 3 |
| CAGD 320 | Digital Texturing | 3 |
| CAGD 495 | Advanced Production | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Industry Internship | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Interdisciplinary Program Requirements | ||
| Select 15 units from the following: | 15 | |
| Art History Survey: Prehistory to Medieval | ||
| Art History Survey: Renaissance to 1800 | ||
| Art History Survey: 1800 to the Present | ||
| 2D Design | ||
| 3D Design | ||
| Basic Drawing | ||
| Basic Life Drawing | ||
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Intermediate Ideation Drawing | ||
| Intermediate Life Drawing | ||
| Advanced Ideation Drawing | ||
| Advanced Life Drawing | ||
| Programming and Algorithms I | ||
| Programming and Algorithms II | ||
| Algorithms and Data Structures | ||
| Software Engineering | ||
| Computer Graphics Programming | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Biomechanical Analysis | ||
| Writing for Screen Media (W) | ||
| Media Aesthetics | ||
| Introduction to Digital Audio in Media | ||
| Basic Web Design | ||
| Foundations of Electronic Media | ||
| Field Video Production | ||
| Digital Fundamentals | ||
| Rich Internet Media Design I | ||
| Advanced Web Design | ||
| Human Factors | ||
| Studio Video Production | ||
| Video Production Workshop | ||
| Introduction to Acting | ||
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 33 | |
| Total Units | 69 | |
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
The Option in Animation Production: 33 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| CAGD 117 | Concept Design and Storyboarding | 3 |
| CAGD 240 | Digital Animation | 3 |
| CAGD 250 | Introduction to Technical CGI | 3 |
| CAGD 345W | Advanced Animation Pre-Production and Story Development (W) | 3 |
| CAGD 493 | Senior Portfolio | 3 |
| CAGD 495 | Advanced Production | 3 |
| Technical Selections | ||
| Select 15 units from one of the following course groups: | 15 | |
| Animation Group: | ||
| Motion Capture | ||
| Computer Animation | ||
| Interactive Storytelling in Video Games | ||
| 3-D Character Rigging | ||
| 3-D Character Animation | ||
| CGI Group: | ||
| 3-D Computer Modeling | ||
| 3-D Character Modeling | ||
| 3D Scanning | ||
| Game Asset Production | ||
| Digital Lighting and Texturing | ||
| Total Units | 33 | |
The Option in Game Development: 33 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| CAGD 170 | Video Game Design | 3 |
| CAGD 270 | Level Design | 3 |
| CAGD 280 | Introduction to Game Scripting | 3 |
| CAGD 370 | Video Game Development | 3 |
| CAGD 373 | Game Asset Production | 3 |
| CAGD 374W | Interactive Storytelling in Video Games | 3 |
| CAGD 375W | Video Game Pre-Production | 3 |
| CAGD 377 | Mobile Game Development | 3 |
| CAGD 470 | Video Game Production | 3 |
| Technical Selections | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Motion Capture | ||
| 3-D Computer Modeling | ||
| 3D Scanning | ||
| Emerging Technologies in Media and Entertainment | ||
| Game Scripting | ||
| Advanced Production | ||
| Total Units | 33 | |
Electives Requirement
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: 48 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.
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. Most 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 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing 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 Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.