Program Overview

Games and Animation Program Overview

The Games and Animation program is a four-year undergraduate degree that commences in the Fall semester of 2026. The program requires a minimum of 120 credits to complete.

Program Structure

The program is divided into four years, with each year consisting of two semesters: Fall and Spring. The Summer semester is also included in the second and third years for co-op experiences.

Year 1

• Fall Semester
  • Required Courses:
    • DMC1155: History of Animation (3 credits)
    • FAA1001: Drawing Studio (3 credits)
    • GAA1011: Paradigms of Computer Based Education (3 credits)
    • GAA1040: Game Tools (3 credits)
  • Directed Elective (select one):
    • ARTH1001: History of Art I (3 credits)
    • ARTH1002: History of Art II: Renaissance to Contemporary Art (3 credits)
• Spring Semester
  • Required Courses:
    • ENGL1001: English Composition (3 credits)
    • FAA1051: Introduction to Figure Drawing (3 credits)
    • FILM2008: Game Studies and New Media (3 credits)
    • GAA1020: Animation Tools (3 credits)
    • Math, Stats, Logic Elective (MSL) (3 credits)

Year 2

• Fall Semester
  • Required Courses:
    • ENGL2089: Intermediate Composition (3 credits)
    • GAA2020: Introduction to 3D Animation (3 credits)
    • GAA2030: World-Building for Animation and Games (3 credits)
    • PD2071: Professionalism and Purpose for the Arts (3 credits)
  • Select one course:
    • DMC2167: Introduction to Game Design (3 credits)
    • GAA2021: Introduction to 2D Animation (3 credits)
• Spring Semester
  • Required Courses:
    • DMC2166: Diversity in Gaming: Game Design for Social Inclusion (3 credits)
    • DMC2168: Topics in Game Design (3 credits)
    • FAA2093: Digital Sculpting for 3D Animation and Games (3 credits)
    • GAA2031: Character Design for Games and Animation (3 credits)
  • Select one course:
    • GAA2060: Body Mechanics & Apprenticeship (3 credits)
    • GAA2061: Game Mechanics and Apprenticeship (3 credits)
• Summer Semester
  • Co-op: First Co-op semester experience (0 credits)

Year 3

• Fall Semester
  • Required Courses:
    • GAA3020: Intermediate Animation (3 credits)
    • GAA3050: Storyboarding (3 credits)
    • GAA3040: Intermediate Game Design (3 credits)
    • Social Behavioral Sciences Elective (SBS) (3 credits)
    • Social Behavioral Sciences + Civility & Democracy (CD, SBS) (3 credits)
• Spring Semester
  • Required Courses:
    • FAA3085: Professional Practices for Fine Artists (3 credits)
    • GAA3020: Intermediate Animation (3 credits)
    • GAA3040: Intermediate Game Design (3 credits)
    • GAA3060: Studio Operations (3 credits)
    • Natural Sciences Elective (NSC) (3 credits)
• Summer Semester
  • Co-op: Second Co-op semester experience (0 credits)

Year 4

• Fall Semester
  • Studio Electives (two courses, 3-4 credits each)
  • Natural Sciences+Lab Elective (NSC) (3 credits)
  • General Education Elective (3 credits)
  • Select one course:
    • GAA4020: Advanced Animation (3 credits)
    • GAA4040: Advanced Game Design (3 credits)
• Spring Semester
  • Required Course:
    • GAA5060: Games and Animation Capstone (6 credits)
  • Studio Elective (3-4 credits)
  • General Education Electives (two courses, 3 credits each)

Credit Hours Explanation

The minimum number of credit hours required for the program is 120. However, this number can vary based on previously earned credits and/or the level of placement into required coursework.