Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Animation and Games (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts in Animation and Games provides a thorough grounding in the development and creation of digital animation and games, including 3D Computer Animation, Motion Graphics, Motion Capture, Educational Games, Real Time Entertainment, and Social Gaming. Animation and Games BA students will have the opportunity to work in a studio environment, explore visual narrative, game mechanics and experimental animation, and learn project development and management practices. The Animation and Games BA examines the potential of animation and games in diverse areas such as entertainment, education, and visualization. Close consultation with academic advisors is recommended. By selecting courses from a variety of Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology elective headings, students are able to infuse other areas of interest into their Animation and Games studies.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Animation and Games are open to all students in the University. However, students majoring in Animation and Games may be given preference in certain course enrollments.
Bachelor of Arts in Animation and Games
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Anne Balsamo, Paul Fishwick, Roger Malina, Marilyn Waligore, xtine burrough
Associate Professors: Heidi Cooley, Monica Evans, Andrew Scott, Shilyh Warren, Hong An Wu
Assistant Professors: Audra Heaslip, Christine Veras
Professor Emeritus: Mihai Nadin
Clinical Professor: Tim Christopher
Professors of Instruction: Elizabeth (Lisa) Bell, Elizabeth Boyd
Associate Professors of Instruction: Bryon Caldwell, Christopher Camacho, Adam Chandler, Laura Imaoka, Casey Johnson, Timothy Lewis, Peter McCord, Mark McKinney, Roxanne Minnish, Christina Nielsen, Monika Salter, Harold (Chip) Wood
Assistant Professor of Instruction: Sharon Hewitt
Professor of Practice: Norman Cox
Associate Professors of Practice: Harold Fitzgerald, Fengjie (Nelson) Lim
Assistant Professor of Practice: David Marks
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours
Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses (see advisor)
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 28 semester credit hours
AHTC 1100 First Year Seminar (First-time-in-college freshmen are required to take in their first semester)
or AHTC 2100 Student Success Seminar (Transfer students are required to take in their first semester)
Foundations
ATCM 2301 Digital Art and Design Foundations
ATCM 2302 Design I
ANGM 2305 Programming for Digital Arts
Fundamentals
ANGM 2303 Project Management for Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication I
ANGM 2310 Animation and Game Fundamentals
Choose two from the following:
ATCM 2321 Reading Media Critically
ATCM 2350 Time-Based Media
ANGM 2309 Drawing for Animation
ANGM 2350 Story
Choose two from the following:
ANGM 2315 Animation Origins and Techniques
ANGM 2325 History of Visual Effects
ANGM 2375 History of Games
Choose one from the following:
ANGM 3311 Scripting for Animation
ANGM 3368 Scripting for 3D Games
Choose any six ANGM 3000 or 4000 level courses: (At least 2 must be 4000 level)
IV. Elective Requirements: 29 semester credit hours
Prescribed Electives: 15 semester credit hours
Choose any upper level ANGM courses or from the following: (At least 2 must be 4000 level)
ATCM 3301 Writing for Media Arts and Design
ATCM 3350 Digital Video Production I
ATCM 3372 Sound Design for Games
ATCM 4384 Ethics in New Media, Technology, and Communication
ATCM 4099 Major Honors Paper in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication
BA 3307 Business for Non-business Majors
COMM 3360 TV and Radio Announcing
CRWT 3306 Fiction Workshop
CRWT 3308 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
CRWT 3346 Young Adult Fiction Workshop
CRWT 3354 Screenwriting Workshop
CRWT 3355 Comics Workshop
ECON 3315 Sports Economics
ENTP 3301 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Free Electives: 14 semester credit hours
Both upper-and lower-division courses may be used as electives.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor, 12 of which must be upper-division semester credit hours. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. Core courses offered by the school may count as lower-division semester credit hours toward the minor. Topics courses must be approved by the school. The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology will substitute courses as necessary. At least one-third of the semester credit hours for a minor must be taken at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Minor in Animation and Games
18 semester credit hours
Required Courses: 9 semester credit hours
For students who elect to take Pre-Production for Animation and Games:
ANGM 2309 Drawing for Animation
ANGM 2350 Story
ANGM 3314 Background Design
For students who elect to take Programming for Animation and Games:
ANGM 2305 Programming for Digital Arts
ANGM 2310 Animation and Game Fundamentals
ANGM 3368 Scripting for 3D Games
Elective Courses: 9 semester credit hours
Select any 9 semester credit hours of upper-division ANGM courses to complete the minor.