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.

75 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
CINE 275
History of Television and Digital Media 2
CINE 285
History of Film 2
Select two of the following:6
ANIM 390
3D Character Modeling
ANIM 404
CG Layout and Previsualization
CINE 391
Visual Effects and Compositing
CINE 490
Internship and Career Preparation for Cinematic Arts
CINE 495
Special Topics
GAME 115
Game Development I
GAME 210
Game Narrative
GAME 215
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
GE 100 First-Year Seminar 3
ANIM 111 Digital Methods 2
ANIM 190 Introduction to Animation Principles and Techniques 3
ART 230 Figurative Lab 3
GE Quantitative Literacy (MATH 110, MATH 115, or MATH 130) 3
 Units14
Spring
WRIT 110 The Art and Craft of Writing 3
ANIM 192 Animation Preproduction 3
CINE 174 Introduction to Storytelling 3
ANIM 117 Color and Design 3
MIN 108  
GE Personal Wellness 1
 Units13
Year II
Fall
WRIT 220 Film Analysis and Criticism 3
ANIM 200 Animation Production I 3
ANIM 202 Storyboarding for Animation I 3
GE Oral Communication 3
ANIM 103 3D Art I 3
GE Humanities: Literature 3
 Units18
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 Units61

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
ANIM 309 Digital Concept Painting 3
UBBL 100  
CINE 375 Writing 3: Screenwriting 3
 Units12
Spring
UBBL 230  
ANIM 345 Advanced Story Concepts 3
GE Humanities: History 3
ANIM 395 Animation Film Workshop 3
ANIM 402 Storyboarding for Animation II 3
 Units12
Year IV
Fall
GE Theology 3
CINE 451 World Cinema 3
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
GE Foreign Language 1 3
GE Humanities: Fine Arts 3
 Units15
Spring
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
ANIM 445 Portfolio Review and Career Preparation 1
GE Upper-Division Bible 3
CINE 475 3
GE Foreign Language 2 3
GE Philosophy 3
 Units16
 Total Units55

Suggested Study Plan: Years 3 and 4: Visual Effects

Plan of Study Grid
Year III
FallUnits
ANIM 390 3D Character Modeling 3
CINE 375 Writing 3: Screenwriting 3
ANIM 307 CG Character Animation II 3
UBBL 100  
GE Humanities: Fine Arts 3
 Units12
Spring
UBBL 230  
ANIM 358 Rigging for Animation 3
ANIM 395 Animation Film Workshop 3
GE Humanities: History 3
ANIM 404 CG Layout and Previsualization 3
 Units12
Year IV
Fall
GE: Theology 3
CINE 451 World Cinema 3
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
CINE 391 Visual Effects and Compositing 3
GE Foreign Language 1 3
 Units15
Spring
ANIM 493 Capstone Project in Animation 3
ANIM 445 Portfolio Review and Career Preparation 1
GE Upper-Division Bible 3
CINE 475 3
GE Foreign Language 2 3
GE Philosophy 3
 Units16
 Total Units55