Animation and Visual Effects BS / Digital Media MS

Major: Animation & Visual Effects and Digital Media
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 232.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Five years)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 10.0304
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-1014
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 11.0801
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-1134

About the Program

The program is a natural extension of our undergraduate program in Animation and Visual Effects and challenges students to push beyond what’s known and into what’s possible. It combines research with applicable skills in 21st century media applications and offers a mix of academic coursework and project-related activities in advanced digital design, including 3-D modeling, animation, interactivity, gaming and digital media history, theory, and methods.

Additional Information

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

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to enter the accelerated program are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and between 70.0 and 120.0 credits of completed undergraduate coursework.

Acceptance into the accelerated program is decided by the program director of the Digital Media MS program in consultation with the undergraduate program director in Animation and Visual Effects as well as the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee.

Main criteria for acceptance is an evaluation of the student’s prior academic performance and the student’s likelihood of success within the program.

Degree Requirements

Undergraduate 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 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
Required Graduate Courses
Digital Media Core
DIGM 501New Media: History, Theory and Methods3.0
DIGM 510Designing for Interactivity3.0
DIGM 511Research Methods for Digital Media3.0
Digital Media Specialization18.0
Select 18.0 credits from the following list:
Game Design and Development
Game Design I
Game Design II
Game Development Foundations
Serious Games
Experimental Games
Game Design from the Player’s Perspective
Animation and Immersive Media
Spatial Data Capture
Animation I
Animation II
Organic Modeling
Advanced Concepts and Applications in Interactive 3D Environments
Immersive World Building
UX Design and Digital Cultural Heritage
Digital Cultural Heritage
Interactivity I
Interactivity II
General Digital Media
Digital Media Skills Intensive
Independent Study in Digital Media
Independent Study in Digital Media
Special Topics in Digital Media
Special Topics in Digital Media
New Media Project
DIGM 540New Media Project ††6.0
Thesis
DIGM 680Thesis Development3.0
Directed Studies 9.0
Total Credits232.0

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
Overview of Immersive Media
Game Development Foundations
Character Animation for Gaming
Motion Capture I
Motion Capture II
*

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 to complete the DIGM Capstone Senior Project sequence.

††

DIGM 540 is repeated two times.

Select 9.0 credits from 500-600 level courses, including Special Topics (T580 and T680) in ANIM, CS, DIGM, DSRE, GMAP, IDM, and INFO.

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

4+1, 1 co-op (Spring/Summer) (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 1103.0ANIM 1413.0ANIM 2113.0VACATION
ANIM 1403.0ANIM 2153.0CIVC 1011.0 
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0DIGM 1053.0 
PHYS 1703.0PHYS 1753.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1761.0MATH 1014.0 
UNIV A101 (Department Specific)1.0UNIV A101 (Program Specific)1.0VSST 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 2133.0CS 1713.0ANIM 2503.0
ANIM 2203.0IDM 1003.0Concentration Choice3.0COM 2303.0
FMTV 1003.0VSST 1113.0
ANIM 247 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
COOP 101*1.0
GMAP 2603.0(UG) Free Elective3.0
ANIM 314 (Character Animation Concentration)
FMTV 2063.0
SCRP 2703.0 
Generalist Concentration Elective
(UG) Free Elective3.0
  (UG) Free Elective3.0 
  (UG) Art History Elective3.0 
 16 15 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2461.0ANIM 3783.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
ANIM 3773.0DIGM 4513.0  
ARTH 3003.0(UG) Animation Concentration Elective3.0  
Concentration Choice3.0(UG) Art History Elective3.0  
ANIM 347 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
(UG) Free Elective3.0  
ANIM 315 (Character Animation Concentration)
DIGM 5103.0  
Generalist Concentration Elective
   
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0   
(UG) Free Elective3.0   
DIGM 5013.0   
 19 18 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DIGM 4903.0ANIM 2461.0DIGM 4753.0STUDENT CONVERTS TO GRADUATE STATUS
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
(UG) Animation Concentration Elective3.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Free Elective3.0 
(UG) Free Elective3.0(UG) Free Electives3.0DIGM 5113.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0DIGM 5403.0DIGM 5403.0 
 19 17 19 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Directed Elective3.0 
(GR) Directed Elective3.0(GR) Directed Elective3.0  
 10 10 7 
Total Credits 232
*

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.

5+0 Co-terminal Accelerated Program (Fall/Winter)

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 A101 (Department Specific)1.0PHYS 1761.0VSST 1093.0 
VSST 1103.0UNIV A101 (Program Specific)1.0(UG) Free Elective3.0 
 VSST 1083.0  
 (UG) Free Elective2.0  
 17 20 20 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 2603.0(UG) Free Electives8.0
  SCRP 2703.0 
  (UG) Free Elective4.0 
 0 0 20 20
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEANIM 2213.0ANIM 2313.0
  CS 1713.0ANIM 2503.0
  Concentration Choice3.0COM 2303.0
  
ANIM 247 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
FMTV 2063.0
  
ANIM 314 (Character Animation Concentration)
(UG) Free Elective3.0
  
Generalist Concentration Elective
DIGM 5103.0
  (UG) Art History Elective3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization2.0
  (UG) Free Elective4.0 
  DIGM 5013.0 
 0 0 19 20
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2461.0DIGM 4513.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
ANIM 3773.0ANIM 3783.0  
ARTH 3003.0(UG) Animation Concentration Elective3.0  
Concentration Choice3.0(UG) Art History3.0  
ANIM 347 (Organic Modeling Concentration)
DIGM 5403.0  
ANIM 315 (Character Animation Concentration)
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0  
Generalist Concentration Elective
(GR) Digital Media Specialization2.0  
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0   
DIGM 5403.0   
(GR) Digital Media Specialization2.0   
 18 20 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0ANIM 2461.0DIGM 4753.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
(UG) Animation Concentration Elective3.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
DIGM 5113.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0 
DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0 
(GR) Directed Elective3.0(GR) Directed Elective3.0(GR) Directed Elective3.0 
 20 18 20 
Total Credits 232
*

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.

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