BA in Animation and Visual Effects

APU’s animation and visual effects major prepares students to make a difference as skilled animators and storytellers in an influential industry.

72 units

Learn more about the animation and visual effects major. 

Requirements

Animation and Visual Effects
ANIM 111Digital Methods2
ANIM 190Introduction to Animation Principles and Techniques3
ART 230Figurative Lab3
CINE 174Introduction to Storytelling3
ANIM 192Animation Preproduction3
CINE 317Cinematic Design3
ANIM 1033D Art I3
ANIM 200Animation Production I3
ANIM 202Storyboarding for Animation I3
ANIM 204Layout Fundamentals3
ANIM 2053D Art II3
ANIM 212Character Design I3
ANIM 305Visual Development3
ANIM 345Advanced Story Concepts3
ANIM 392Character Animation II3
CINE 240Introduction to Film Analysis and Theory3
ANIM 395Animation Film Workshop3
ANIM 402Storyboarding for Animation II3
ANIM 445Portfolio Review and Career Preparation1
CINE 451World Cinema 13
ANIM 493Capstone Project in Animation (course is taken twice)6
Select one of the following:3
History of Television and Digital Media 2
History of Film 2
Select two of the following:6
3D Character Modeling
CG Layout and Previsualization
Visual Effects and Compositing
Internship and Career Preparation for Cinematic Arts
Special Topics
Game Development I
Game Narrative
Game Level and Environmental Design
Total Units72
1

Meets the APU Core: Intercultural Competence general education requirement.

2

Meets the APU Core: Humanities: Fine Arts general education requirement.

Suggested Study Plan: Years 1 and 2

Plan of Study Grid
Year I
FallUnits
CORE 100 Cornerstones 3
ANIM 111 Digital Methods 2
ANIM 190 Introduction to Animation Principles and Techniques 3
ART 230 Figurative Lab 3
GE Quantitative Reasoning (MATH 110, MATH 115, or MATH 130) 3
GE Oral Communication 3
 Units17
Spring
WRIT 110 The Art and Craft of Writing 3
ANIM 192 Animation Preproduction 3
CINE 174 Introduction to Storytelling 3
CINE 317 Cinematic Design 3
CORE 101 Cultivating Wellness: Building Habits for Lifelong Well-Being 2
GE Humanities: Philosophy 3
 Units17
Year II
Fall
ANIM 200 Animation Production I 3
ANIM 202 Storyboarding for Animation I 3
CINE 240 Introduction to Film Analysis and Theory 3
ANIM 103 3D Art I 3
GE Humanities: History 3
 Units15
Spring
PSYC 290 Human Growth and Development 3
ANIM 205 3D Art II 3
BIOL 101 Biology and Society 4
ANIM 212 Character Design I 3
ANIM 204 Layout Fundamentals 3
 Units16
 Total Units65

Suggested Study Plan: Years 3 and 4: Animation

Plan of Study Grid
Year III
FallUnits
ANIM 305 Visual Development 3
ANIM 392 Character Animation II 3
SOT 150 Understanding the Old Testament: Creation, Covenant, Exile, Restoration 3
ANIM 390 3D Character Modeling 3
GE Humanities: Literature 3
 Units15
Spring
SOT 200 Understanding the New Testament: Christ, Redemption, Community, New Creation 3
ANIM 345 Advanced Story Concepts 3
ANIM 395 Animation Film Workshop 3
ANIM 402 Storyboarding for Animation II 3
ANIM 404 CG Layout and Previsualization 3
 Units15
Year IV
Fall
SOT 250 Theology and the Christian Life 3
CINE 451 World Cinema 3
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
GE Foreign Language 1 3
CORE 250 Seeking Shalom Seminar 3
 Units15
Spring
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
ANIM 445 Portfolio Review and Career Preparation 1
CORE 450 Calling and Character Seminar 3
GE Foreign Language 2 3
GE Upper-Division Bible 3
CINE 275
History of Television and Digital Media
or History of Film
3
 Units16
 Total Units61

Suggested Study Plan: Years 3 and 4: Visual Effects

Plan of Study Grid
Year III
FallUnits
SOT 150 Understanding the Old Testament: Creation, Covenant, Exile, Restoration 3
ANIM 305 Visual Development 3
ANIM 345 Advanced Story Concepts 3
SOT 250 Theology and the Christian Life 3
GE Humanities: Literature 3
 Units15
Spring
SOT 200 Understanding the New Testament: Christ, Redemption, Community, New Creation 3
ANIM 395 Animation Film Workshop 3
ANIM 404 CG Layout and Previsualization 3
ANIM 392 Character Animation II 3
CORE 250 Seeking Shalom Seminar 3
 Units15
Year IV
Fall
CINE 451 World Cinema 3
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
CINE 391 Visual Effects and Compositing 3
GE Foreign Language 1 3
GE Upper Division Bible 3
 Units15
Spring
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
ANIM 445 Portfolio Review and Career Preparation 1
ANIM 402 Storyboarding for Animation II 3
CINE 275
History of Television and Digital Media
or History of Film
3
CORE 450 Calling and Character Seminar 3
GE Foreign Language 2 3
 Units16
 Total Units61