Suggested Curriculum for a certificate or specialization in Computer Animation The goal of the suggested curriculum is to provide students with a theoretical as well as practical understanding and experience working in computer-aided animation. The curriculum is composed of 12-15 hours of coursework with an additional 6 hours of project-based learning. The suggested courses (listed below) are designed to teach students the fundamental artistic and technical design principles associated with 3D animation. These skills will be further refined in the student’s training where he/she will work in the project-based learning program with the possibility of an opportunity for advancement to a paid internship upon certification completion. During the project-based program, the student will receive software training and complete a small scale animation project that will introduce them to the fundamentals of animation production. If accepted to the internship, students/employees will learn more advanced software concepts and acquire real-world animation experience through employment with a local animation production studio, i.e. Moments Productions. Students will emerge from the suggested program with a theoretical understanding of the principles of 3D animation, a technical prowess for working in a range of computer graphics software, and professional experience gained from the project-based learning program. Proposed Curriculum Drama, Art, and CSCE majors are required to take all of the courses listed below for their department plus an additional 12 hours from courses listed in the other two departments. For all students majoring in departments outside of Drama, Art, and CSCE, a total of 15 hours must be selected from the course list. It is required that all students take CSCE 1023 (Programming 1 for non-majors) and that they take at least one course from all three departments.
Drama: Select two from: DRAM1333 Introduction to Design and Technical Production DRAM 1323 (Stage Technology II: Scenery and Lighting) DRAM1321L (Stage Technology II Lab) DRAM 2313 (Intro to theatrical design) DRAM 4653 (Scene Design I – Prerequisite: DRAM 1333)
Art: ARTS 1313 Two-Dimensional Design (FA, SP) ARTS 1323 Three-Dimensional Design (FA, SP) ARTS 2313 Computer Applications in Art (FA) – Prereq: ARTS 1313. Drawing Fundamentals ? per Marilyn Nelson’s suggestion
Computer Science/Engineering CSCE 1023 (Programming 1 for non-majors) CENG4813 Computer Graphics (FA) CENG4823 Advanced Computer Graphics and Animation (IR) CENG5213 Interactive Computer Graphics (IR)
Project-Based Learning Experience The student is required to participate in one of two project-based training programs that will be offered throughout the year. One will be offered during the summer over a nine week period (2 summer sessions) for 40 hours a week. The other will be over the course of the fall and spring semesters comprising 15 hours a week for 30 weeks. The projectbased training will allow the student to complete a small animated project. Each program will begin with a weeklong workshop where students will receive valuable instruction working in 3D animation software. Following software training, students will work on a small-scale animation project to be completed by the end of the program. All computing facilities and software will be provided by CAST. Upon completion of coursework and training certification, certified students will be eligible to apply for a paid internship position with a local animation production studio. This will provide entry-level employees with the opportunity to refine their skills by working in a professional animation environment. Employees will learn more advanced concepts of the 3D animation software and will be involved in the entire animation production process from modeling and animation to rendering and post editing. Additional specialization in one of the areas will be possible. The proposed internship positions will be the result of a collaborative venture between the university and interested companies in the private sector.
Course descriptions taken from 2004-2005 U of A course catalog Drama: pg. 267 (in course catalog) DRAM1333 Introduction to Design and Technical Production (FA, SP, SU) The fundamentals of scenic, lighting, and costume design and the technical processes involved in the execution of these designs. DRAM1323 Stage Technology II: Scenery and Lighting (SP) Fundamentals of scenery and lighting technology with emphasis on theatre tools, equipment, and basic drafting. Training in basic principles and skills of stage carpentry, lighting technology and rigging. Corequisite: DRAM 1321L. DRAM1321L Stage Technology II Laboratory: Scenery and Lighting (SP) Practical application of principles of scenery and lighting technology. Students will participate in projects involving the construction and preparation of scenery, stage properties, and lighting associated with departmental productions. Production running crew positions will also be assigned. Corequisite: DRAM 1323. DRAM2313 Introduction to Theatrical Design (FA) Fundamentals of design for the theatre including costume, lighting, and scenery. Study of the designer’s role in the production process, design requirements, and aesthetics. Emphasis on the basic principles of two-dimensional art and graphic forms through various media, and a study of color and color theory as they apply to the major areas of theatrical design. Prerequisite: DRAM 1323. DRAM3733 Stage Lighting I (SP) Study of the art and practice of stage lighting; color theory; electricity and dimming systems; problems in design. Lecture-demonstration 3 hours, laboratory, by arrangement, coinciding with departmental productions, 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: DRAM 1333. DRAM4653 Scene Design I (SP, Odd years) Theory and practice in the art of scenic design, including historical and contemporary styles and procedures. Practical experience gained through work on departmental productions. Prerequisite: DRAM 1333. Art: pg. 246
ARTS1313 Two-Dimensional Design (FA, SP) Studio problems in the use of line, shape, texture, value, and color and their relationships. ARTS1323 Three-Dimensional Design (FA, SP) Studio problems with the elements of three-dimensional design: structure, space, form, surface, and their relationship. ARTS2313 Computer Applications in Art (FA) Introduction to digital imaging in the visual arts. beginning instruction in digital image creation, manipulation and processing. Introduction to input and output peripherals, computer graphic software programs and work in the digital visual arts. Prerequisite: ARTS 1313. Computer Science and Engineering: pg. 253 CSCE1023 Programming for Non-CSCE Majors (FA, SP) Teaches how to design, implement, and document computer programs using techniques of good programming style. This course cannot be taken by CSCE majors for credit. Corequisite: CSCE 1021L. CSCE1021L Programming Laboratory for NonCSCE Majors (FA, SP) Laboratory exercises appropriate to Programming. Pre- or Corequisite: CSCE 1023. May be repeated. Prerequisite: honors candidacy (not restricted to candidacy in computer science). CENG4813 Computer Graphics (FA) Introduction to computer graphics, software, and hardware. Includes graphic display units, the viewpoint, the window, graphic inputs and graphic outputs. Prerequisite: INEG 3313 or STAT 3013.
CENG4823 Advanced Computer Graphics and Animation (IR) Advanced topics in the generation of computer graphics and animation imagery concentrating on non-procedural approaches. Topics include physical modeling, transformations, lighting models, and rendering algorithms. Theoretical issues include the graphics pipeline and rendering equation. Practical issues include the use of industry standard graphics libraries and rendering hardware and efficiency. Prerequisite: CENG 4813.
CENG5213 Interactive Computer Graphics (IR) Basic concepts involved in the generation and display of computer graphics. Topics include graphics hardware, transformations, modeling, and device independent graphics. Prerequisite: working knowledge of a programming language.
Other possible courses that could apply (?): DRAM1683 Acting I (for motion capture purposes) DRAM272V Theatrical Production DRAM 3653 Directing I DRAM5163 Theatre Graphics and Technology ARTS 3203 Sculpture I (SP, FA) ARTS 3333 Color Studies (FA, SP) JOUR 3071L Broadcast News Reporting II Other courses through Continuing Education and more…