The BS in Animation provides students with a solid foundation in the art of animation and its history combined with insight into the latest techniques used in the rapidly-moving fields of high end 3D animation in the film, television, and game development industries. 

Students will learn a comprehensive set of skills in 3D including character animation, modeling, texturing, lighting, and rigging.  3D courses are designed to provide students with necessary proficiencies while also encouraging creativity and experimentation.  Students interested in game art will have additional options for gaining experience through cross-disciplinary classes in game development and production and through work on game development teams.

What students get from this program:

• A faculty body of experienced animators and working professionals.
• Access to the latest in animation software, computing systems, and technology, including motion capture and green screen studios.
• Close cooperation with programming students in the Game Development program.
• Valuable production experience both in class and through internships. 
•  The benefits of industry connections through CDM’s relationship with Chicago’s largest game development and animation studios. 

The Liberal Studies program is the general education portion of the curriculum at DePaul. Click here to view the CDM courses that qualify for liberal studies credit. 

Please note: Students must complete 20 liberal studies courses including the eight credit hour Mathematical and Technological Literacy requirement which is both ISP 120 and ISP 121. ISP 121 will replace one course from any one of the six Learning Domains as long as the student takes at least one course in each domain. 

First Year

Major Field Courses (6)

ANI 105 Intro to Visual Design     
ANI 201 Animation I  *  
ANI 206 History of Animation    
ANI 230 3d Modeling for Animation and Gaming    
DC 205 Foundations of Cinema    
ART 218 Figure Drawing    
 
Liberal Studies Courses (6) (Required: ART 106 Beginning Drawing)and either DC 233 Cinema and Art or ART 200 Art and Artists in Contemporary Culture).
GAM 224 is recommended.
*ANI 101 Animation for Non-Majors allowed for students transferring into the major.

Second Year

Major Field Courses (6)

ANI 220 Pre-Production Art    
ANI 231 3d Animation for Cinema and Gaming    
ANI 300 3d Character Animation    
DC 201 Introduction to Screenwriting    
ART 318 Advanced Figure Drawing     
  or  ART 317 Figure Sculpture    
GAM 244 Game Development I    
 
Liberal Studies Courses (6)

Third Year

Major Field Courses (6)

ANI 240 Animation II    
ANI 340 Animation III    
ANI 330 Advanced 3d Modeling for Animation and Gaming    
ANI 339 3d Texturing and Lighting    
DC 220 Editing I    
GAM 341 Introduction to Level Design
   
Animation Electives (2) -
Liberal Studies courses (3)
Open Electives (1)
 
Fourth Year

Major Field Courses (4)

ANI 350 Animation Production Studio  *   
MCS 207 History of American Cinema, 1890-1945    
  OR  MCS 208 History of American Cinema, 1946-1975    
  OR  MCS 209 History of American Cinema, 1976-Present    
GPH 355 3d Scripting for Animators    
DC 398 Digital Cinema Capstone  *  
 
* GAM 395 may be substituted for DC 398, but if this option is chosen you must also take GAM 394 which can be substitute for ANI 350.
 
Animation Electives (1) -
Liberal Studies courses (5)
Open Electives (2)

Any ANI, ART, DC, GAM, GPH or IM course EXCEPT: ART 102, ART 104, ART 105, DC 120 or GPH 211

Note: Grades for all courses in the students major (i.e. non-Liberal Studies and non-Open Elective) must be 'C' or better. Grades of 'C-' may be accepted provided the overall grade point average in the major is 2.0 or better.