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Animation and 3D, Bachelor of Science

Program Purpose

Animation has always been a staple in the world of motion pictures and the impact of animation has only grown since the invention of 3D computer generated graphics. In today’s world, animation and 3D is being used not only in motion pictures but everything from commercials, to architecture, to the app and gaming industry.

The Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s 100% online Bachelor of Science in Animation and 3D provides students a robust curriculum that covers the three main aspects of Animation and 3D: the artistic side, 2D animation, and 3D animation. Along with these three core areas of knowledge, students will practice and learn skills and techniques on industry standard software. Students will explore real-world production concepts under the direction of expert faculty with extensive field experience and gain additional skills in graphic design, compositing, and sound.

The Animation and 3D Bachelor of Science program is for students who want to pursue a career in either traditional 2D or 3D animation. Through a well-rounded course load, students will focus on three key aspects of animation, the artistic side of animation, 2D animation, and 3D animation. Students will graduate with a strong skillset in hand drawn 2D animation, digital 2D animation, 3D sculpting, and 3D animation with industry leading software.

Program Competencies

Develop the technical skills required for professional animation and 3D production.

• Utilize professional modeling techniques to a 3D project.
• Use professional 2D or 3D animation software to complete a project.

Practice a professional animation workflow.

• Demonstrate all elements of animation in an organized manner.
• Exercise a personalized animation workflow.

Analyze past and current professional trends in animation and 3D.

• Evaluate current techniques being used to create animation.
• Research the development of early animation.

The Cooperative Education Option is an alternative to the ANI 487-Animation & 3D Senior Project and ANI 450-3D Animation II. Each co-op assignment is one semester long and normally the two co-op assignments span two consecutive semesters with the same employer.

Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning at Â鶹ÊÓƵ takes a 360° approach to applied education. Whether you bring significant professional experience and pursue Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or you complete a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experience such as an internship or cooperative education placement embedded within your academic program, these opportunities provide meaningful pathways toward completing your degree.

Minimum Grade Policy

The College of Business and Technology sets a required minimum grade of "C-" for program core courses. Students earning a grade lower than "C-" in a core course must repeat the course.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (39 credits)

Intro to Technology

Visual Communication

Fundamentals of Economics

English Composition I

English Composition II

Public Speaking

Creative Writing

Contemporary Global Issues

Visual Approaches to Literature: The Graphic Novel

Introductory Survey of Mathematics

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Introduction to Psychology

Any Natural Science Elective

Animation and 3D Core (63 credits)

Drawing for Animation

2D Animation I

Fundamentals of Motion Graphics

Storyboarding

3D Animation I

History of Animation

Advanced Motion Graphics

Introduction to 3D

3D Modeling Techniques

3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques

Character Creation and Texturing

Character Rigging

Introduction to 3D Digital Sculpting

2D Animation II

3D Animation II

Basic Photoshop

Vector Drawing

Creating Sound Effects and Dialog for Film, Video and Games

Introduction to Sound

Aesthetics of Film

Ìý

Animation and 3D Senior Project

OR

Digital Media Internship

Technology Certificate Electives (15 credits)

Students should choose a technology certificate to fulfill this elective core.  If not pursuing a certificate, students may choose from the following undergraduate courses to fulfill their electives:  ANI, CSC, DFM, DSN, GMD, ISM, SEC, TEC, UAV, VFP.  Selecting an elective outside of this list will require approval of the Program Chair.

Free Elective (3 credits)

Completion Degree Requirements

What is a Completion Degree?

A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Â鶹ÊÓƵ Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate degree should communicate with a Â鶹ÊÓƵ academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Â鶹ÊÓƵ to confirm eligibility.

Note that a minimum of 120 combined credits are needed to satisfy the Completion Degree requirements, including both transfer credits and credits earned at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

Animation and 3D Completion Degree

2D Animation I

Fundamentals of Motion Graphics

3D Animation I

History of Animation

Advanced Motion Graphics

Aesthetics of Film

Introduction to 3D

3D Modeling Techniques

3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques

Character Creation and Texturing

Character Rigging

Introduction to 3D Digital Sculpting

2D Animation II

3D Animation II

Ìý

Animation and 3D Senior Project

OR

Digital Media Internship

The following courses are prerequisites for a degree in Animation & 3D:

ANI 100 Drawing for Animation

VFP 101 Introduction to Audio

DSN 210 Basic Photoshop

Note:  

Some courses have prerequisites and should be taken in the correct sequence.  If your associate degree is in an academic discipline different than the one you plan to study at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, you may be required to take additional courses to ensure your success in your chosen program of study.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2026-2027 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 202 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.