Animation and Visual Effects BS

Major: Animation and Visual Effects
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 187.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); Three Co-op (Five years)

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 10.0304
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-1014

About the Program

The Animation & Visual Effects major provides students with the artistic, technological, story-telling, and design skills necessary to succeed as 3D animators and visual effects artists in the highly competitive entertainment, design, and communications industries.

Animation and Visual Effects has grown beyond its traditional applications in the entertainment industry. While many artists choose a career in film, television, and internet-based programming, animation production techniques are also widely used in medical research, engineering, virtual and augmented reality systems, immersive media, web content, the performing arts, interactive game systems, corporate communications, higher education, and more. The depth and complexity of this field necessitates a rigorous course of study.

To best prepare students for the demands of careers in these cutting-edge disciplines, the program provides a foundational understanding of design and technology with core courses in digital media, the option to choose between a six or eighteen-month co-op plan, and a curriculum of rigorous coursework covering specialized aspects of digital animation, visual effects, and immersive media. While courses are predominantly offered face-to-face on campus, we also offer a variety of virtual courses taught by a diverse range of professionals from across the nation, exposing students to a wider network of industry professionals and to the evolving climate of industry work, and engaging with students outside the campus boundaries. In this curriculum, students will learn the underlying principles of animation and advanced, industry-standard software and hardware technologies. The entire creative pipeline, from storyboarding to modeling and animation to rendering and compositing, is covered in-depth, allowing students to experience all aspects of a production. 

 Additional Information

To find out more about this major, visit the Westphal College’s Animation & Visual Effects Major webpage.

Degree Requirements 

General Education Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
PHYS 170Electricity and Motion3.0
PHYS 171Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion1.0
PHYS 175Light and Sound3.0
PHYS 176Computational Lab for Light and Sound1.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience2.0
Required Arts and Humanities-students elect a minimum of 9.0 credits **9.0
Required Social Science-students elect a minimum of 9.0 credits ***9.0
Free electives24.0
Art and Art History Requirements
Required ARTH electives (choose a minimum of 6 credits from ARTH 100-499, except ARTH 300)6.0
ARTH 300 [WI] History of Modern Design3.0
VSST 108Design I for Media3.0
VSST 109Design II for Media3.0
VSST 110Introductory Drawing3.0
VSST 111Figure Drawing I3.0
Media and Computer Science Requirements
ANIM 231Scripting for Animation and Visual Effects3.0
CS 171Computer Programming I3.0
FMTV 100Visual Storytelling3.0
FMTV 206Audio Production and Post3.0
SCRP 270 [WI] Screenwriting I3.0
Digital Media Core Requirements
ANIM 140Computer Graphics Imagery I3.0
ANIM 141Computer Graphics Imagery II3.0
ANIM 211Animation I3.0
DIGM 105Overview of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 451 [WI] Explorations in New Media3.0
DIGM 475 [WI] Seminar: The Future of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 490Digital Media Senior Project 9.0
DIGM 491Digital Media Senior Project Studio 3.0
GMAP 260Overview of Computer Gaming3.0
IDM 100Introduction to Web Development3.0
Animation Requirements
ANIM 110Digital Imaging for Animation & VFX3.0
ANIM 146Basic Portfolio1.0
ANIM 155Previsualization for Animated Production3.0
ANIM 212Animation II3.0
ANIM 213Rigging I3.0
ANIM 215History of Animation3.0
ANIM 220Digital Compositing I3.0
ANIM 221Digital Compositing II3.0
ANIM 246Advanced Portfolio (Take 2 times)2.0
ANIM 250Professional Practices for Animation & VFX3.0
ANIM 377Animation Workshop I3.0
ANIM 378Animation Workshop II3.0
Animation & Visual Effects Concentration (See Below)12.0
Total Credits187.0

Animation & Visual Effects Concentrations

Students must choose and complete one of the following concentrations for a total of 12.0 credits. 

Character Animation Concentration
ANIM 314Character Animation I3.0
ANIM 315Character Animation II3.0
Animation Electives (Choose 2)6.0
Total Credits12.0
Organic Modeling Concentration
ANIM 247Organic Modeling I3.0
ANIM 347Organic Modeling II3.0
Animation Electives (Choose 2)6.0
Total Credits12.0
Generalist Concentration
Animation Electives (Choose 4 or more equaling at least 12 credits)12.0
Animation Electives
Realtime Visualization
Digital Matte Painting
Lighting & Surfacing
Advanced Lighting
Procedural Animation
Advanced Compositing
Advanced Animation
Advanced Visual Effects
Technical Directing for Animation
Special Topics in Animation
Special Topics in Animation
Special Topics in Animation
Special Topics in Animation
Digital Cultural Heritage
Digital Storytelling
Game Development Foundations
Character Animation for Gaming
Motion Capture I
Motion Capture II
Total Credits12.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Select from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480 in AFAS, ARCH, ARTH, COM, DANC, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, INTR, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PHTO, PPE, PBHL, RELS, SCRP, THTR, TVST, VSCM, WGST, WRIT.

***

Select from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480, in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSCI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, WGST.

DIGM 490 and DIGM 491 are repeated three times each.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

5 year, 3 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 1103.0ANIM 1413.0ANIM 2113.0VACATION
ANIM 1403.0ANIM 2153.0CIVC 1011.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0COOP 101*1.0DIGM 1053.0 
PHYS 1703.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1753.0MATH 1014.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1761.0VSST 1093.0 
VSST 1103.0UNIV A1011.0  
 VSST 1083.0  
 17 18 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEANIM 1461.0ANIM 1553.0
  ANIM 2123.0ANIM 2133.0
  ANIM 2203.0IDM 1003.0
  FMTV 1003.0VSST 1113.0
  GMAP 2603.0Free Elective3.0
  SCRP 2703.0 
 0 0 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEANIM 2213.0ANIM 2313.0
  Concentration Choice3.0ANIM 2503.0
  
ANIM 247 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
COM 2303.0
  
ANIM 314 (Character Animation Concentration)
FMTV 2063.0
  
Generalist Concentration Elective
Free Elective3.0
  CS 1713.0 
  Art History Elective3.0 
  Free Elective3.0 
 0 0 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2461.0ANIM 3783.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
ANIM 3773.0DIGM 4513.0  
Concentration Choice3.0Animation Concentration Elective3.0  
ANIM 347 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
Art History Elective3.0  
ANIM 315 (Character Animation Concentration)
Free Elective3.0  
Generalist Concentration Elective
   
ARTH 3003.0   
Social Science Elective3.0   
Free Elective3.0   
 16 15 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0ANIM 2461.0DIGM 4753.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
Animation Concentration Elective3.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
Arts and Humanities Elective3.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
Social Science Elective 3.0Social Science Elective3.0Free Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 16 14 13 
Total Credits 187
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

4 year, 1 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 1103.0ANIM 1413.0ANIM 2113.0VACATION
ANIM 1403.0ANIM 2153.0DIGM 1053.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
PHYS 1703.0PHYS 1753.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1761.0MATH 1014.0 
UNIV A1011.0UNIV A1011.0VSST 1093.0 
VSST 1103.0VSST 1083.0  
 17 17 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 1461.0ANIM 1553.0ANIM 2213.0ANIM 2313.0
ANIM 2123.0ANIM 2133.0Concentration Choice3.0ANIM 2503.0
ANIM 2203.0IDM 1003.0
ANIM 247 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
COM 2303.0
FMTV 1003.0VSST 1113.0
ANIM 314 (Character Animation Concentration)
COOP 101*1.0
GMAP 2603.0Free Elective3.0
Generalist Concentration Elective
FMTV 2063.0
SCRP 2703.0 CS 1713.0Free Elective3.0
  Art History Elective3.0 
  Free elective3.0 
 16 15 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2461.0ANIM 3783.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
ARTH 3003.0DIGM 4513.0  
ANIM 3773.0Animation Concentration Elective3.0  
Concentration Choice3.0Art History Elective3.0  
ANIM 347 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
Free Elective3.0  
ANIM 315 (Character Animation Concentration)
   
Generalist Concentration Elective
   
Free Electives3.0   
Social Science Elective3.0   
 16 15 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0ANIM 2461.0DIGM 4753.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
Animation Concentration Elective3.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
Arts and Humanities Elective3.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
Social Science Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0Free Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 16 14 13 
Total Credits 187
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Dual/Accelerated Degrees

The accelerated degree program enables academically qualified students to earn both their bachelor's degree and a master's degree in digital media, graduating sooner than they would in traditional programs.

Current Drexel Animation and Visual Effects students may apply for the accelerated BS/MS degree through the Graduate College of Drexel University after completing 90.0 credits, but no more than 120.0 credits. Contact the Graduate College of Drexel University for further information.

Facilities

This major is based in the Westphal College's Digital Media Department, located in the Westphal College's URBN Center.

The central creative space for the department is the Animation Capture & Effects Lab (ACE-Lab), featuring a 1200-square-foot open studio space dedicated to digital media production. The studio features include a 25-foot by 17-foot green screen cyclorama, studio lighting and modifiers, HD/2k/4k camera systems, camera dolly, Vicon Vantage motion capture system, stereo-360 “VR Video” capture systems, room-scale VR tracking systems, and a full 360° Immersive Projection Dome among other resources.

Additional spaces surrounding the main studio include screening rooms, classrooms and computer labs featuring advanced graphics work stations, VR labs, research labs, meeting rooms, and faculty offices.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

  • Understand weight, balance and movement as they relate to animation
  • Develop and demonstrate a comprehension of color, composition and balance within a frame.
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of the entire animation production.
  • Develop and demonstrate strong communication skills for working effectively within a collaborative environment

Animation and Visual Effects Faculty

Alexus Aiken, MS (Drexel University). Instructor. 3D Animation and real-time collaborative animation.
Milady S. Bridges, BA (Rutgers University) Program Director, Animation and Visual Effects. Assistant Teaching Professor. Animation and visual effects technical artist
Nick Jushchyshyn, MFA (Academy of Art University) Program Director, VR & Immersive Media. Associate Professor. Visual effects, digital media and animation.
David Mauriello, BA (Lafayette College). Assistant Professor. 3D modeling and animation.
Emil Polyak, MDCArtDes (University of New South Wales) Program Director, Master's in Digital Media. Associate Professor. Cross-disciplinary art and design
Michael Wagner, PhD (Vienna University of Technology) Program Director, Digital Media. Professor. Educational use of digital media and computer games.
Jichen Zhu, PhD (Georgia Institute of Technology). Associate Professor. Developing humanistic and interpretive framework of computational technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and constructing AI-based cultural artifacts; interactive storytelling, games and software studies.

Emeritus Faculty

Theo Artz, BFA (Tyler School of Art, Temple University). Associate Professor. Digital media.