The M.S. in Computer Graphics and Animation is a study of the technical and aesthetic foundations, design and development of Computer Graphics. This program prepares students for technical careers in the graphics industry. Several fundamental principles provide the basis for this curriculum:

·          Computer graphics professionals, no matter their area of specialty, will need a solid grounding in both perception and technology.

·          To be successful in the workplace, computer graphics professionals will need to be able to work well in multidisciplinary environments.

·          To inculcate the flexibility required to adapt to rapid changes in technology and industry norms, students will need to be well versed in the foundations of the discipline.

·          Practical experience must be coupled with theory to prepare students for the workplace.

The degree has five components:

·          Prerequisite Phase    

·          Fundamental Phase   

·          Core Phase   

·          Advanced Phase

·          Electives

In this program, students will:

·          Develop a sensitivity to human perception, including a comprehension of fundamental design concepts, color theory, and the interaction of light with surfaces;

·          Build a deep understanding of such technical concepts as interaction design, modeling objects, controlling cameras, rigging characters for animation and using particle and surface techniques;

·          Learn to apply perceptual and technical abilities in creating shaders, textures, characters, scenes and animations;

·          Acquire hands-on experience with a wide range of commercially-available tools;

·          Develop a grasp of fundamentals that allow implementations beyond the extant user interfaces; and

·          Become appreciative of the two “cultures” of computer graphics – the one drawing on communication design and the other deriving from computer science.

·          The degree program offers two concentrations: a Technical Director concentration and a Developer concentration. While both concentrations have a balance of technical and aesthetic, the Technical Director will have a greater emphasis on the aesthetic while the Developer concentration will focus on the technical. After graduation, Technical Directors will be ready for jobs assisting Creative Directors in such activities as creating virtual sets, adjusting lighting and rigging characters for animation. Developers will learn technologies for graphics systems development, including game engines and plug-ins.

The degree program offers two concentrations: a Technical Director concentration and a Developer concentration. While both concentrations have a balance of technical and aesthetic, the Technical Director will have a greater emphasis on the aesthetic while the Developer concentration will focus on the technical. After graduation, Technical Directors will be ready for jobs assisting Creative Directors in such activities as creating virtual sets, adjusting lighting and rigging characters for animation. Developers will learn technologies for graphics systems development, including game engines and plug-ins.