Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design (BFA)
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Major: Animation, Film, Photography, and Motion Design
Program Code: 3284
About This Major . . .
The B.F.A. in Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design (AFP&MD) is unique. After completing traditional freshman-level composition and drawing courses, AFP&MD majors enter a three-tiered program of study. The first tier consists of courses in the principles of animation, film, photography, and motion design—courses designed to outline the specifics of each area and the relationships connecting the areas to each other. The second tier follows with intermediate-level courses where students apply and expand upon earlier basic concepts while exploring more complex applications and completing projects that address the interaction of time, movement, and space. Finally, the third tier offers advanced levels of study providing opportunities for majors to produce a more individual and high-quality portfolio coupled with options for experimentation, collaborative work, and travel. Also unique to AFP&MD are the possible experimental combinations of multiple areas of study in animation, film, photography and motion design. Students at the senior level have opportunities to integrate all four AFP&MD areas or focus on various combinations of digital techniques. Students are encouraged to follow their passions and interests and focus on the area or areas most suited to their individual career goals.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Interpret and apply formal elements and principles of design. (Specialized Knowledge)
- Demonstrate application of tools, materials, techniques, and proper use and care for equipment through quality craftsmanship. (Applied Learning)
- Generate individual response through concept and theory beyond formal elements to create personal content. (Communication Fluency)
- Communicate clearly regarding the critical analysis of art and design both historical and contemporary. (Critical thinking/ Communication Fluency)
- Design and publish a professional portfolio and demo reel that meet current industry standards. (Applied Learning)
- Demonstrate technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on application of the creative design process for photographic and time-based media. (Specialized Knowledge)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- 120 semester hours minimum.
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
- 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Essential Learning Requirements
(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | ||
| MATH 110 | College Mathematics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| History | ||
| Select one History course | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences 2 | ||
| Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab | 4 | |
| Select one Natural Sciences course | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
| 1 | Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours. |
| 2 | One course must include a lab. |
Other Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Select one Activity course | 1 | |
| Essential Learning Capstone 1 | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
| 1 | Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours. |
Foundation Courses
(15 semester hours, must pass each course with a grade of “B” or higher.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTE 101 | Two-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 102 | Three-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 118 | History of Art, Prehistory to Renaissance-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 119 | History of Art, Renaissance to Present-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTS 151 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Program Specific Degree Requirements
(51 semester hours, must pass each course with a grade of “B” or higher.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Art History Course | ||
| ARTH 331 | History of the Moving Image | 3 |
| Animation, Film, Photography & Motion Design Courses | ||
| ARTA 123 | Lights! Camera! Action | 3 |
| ARTA 222 | Principles of Digital Photography | 3 |
| ARTA 223 | Image and Motion | 3 |
| ARTA 224 | Principles of Film and Motion Design | 3 |
| ARTA 225 | Principles of Animation | 3 |
| ARTA 322 | Intermediate Photography | 3 |
| ARTA 323 | Character Design and Story Concepts | 3 |
| ARTA 324 | Two-Dimensional Animation and Motion Design | 3 |
| ARTA 325 | 3D Digital Modeling | 3 |
| ARTA 326 | Digital Filmmaking | 3 |
| ARTA 327 | Sound Principles and Production | 3 |
| ARTA 422 | Advanced Photography and Studio Lighting | 3 |
| ARTA 424 | Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design Studio I | 3 |
| ARTA 425 | Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design Studio II | 3 |
| ARTA 426 | Advanced Motion Studio | 3 |
| ARTA 427 | Portfolio and Demo Reel | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 51 | |
General Electives
(All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 17 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select electives | 17 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ARTE 118 | History of Art, Prehistory to Renaissance-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 101 or ARTA 123 | Two-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 or Lights! Camera! Action | 3 |
| Essential Learning - History | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| MATH 110 | College Mathematics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| ARTE 101 or ARTA 123 | Two-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 or Lights! Camera! Action | 3 |
| ARTE 102 | Three-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 119 | History of Art, Renaissance to Present-GTAH1 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTS 151 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTA 223 | Image and Motion | 3 |
| ARTA 225 | Principles of Animation | 3 |
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| KINA Activity | 1 | |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science with lab | 4 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTA 222 | Principles of Digital Photography | 3 |
| ARTA 224 | Principles of Film and Motion Design | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Humanities | 3 | |
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTH 331 | History of the Moving Image | 3 |
| ARTA 323 | Character Design and Story Concepts | 3 |
| ARTA 324 | Two-Dimensional Animation and Motion Design | 3 |
| ARTA 322 | Intermediate Photography | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTA 325 | 3D Digital Modeling | 3 |
| ARTA 326 | Digital Filmmaking | 3 |
| ARTA 327 | Sound Principles and Production | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTA 424 | Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design Studio I | 3 |
| ARTA 426 | Advanced Motion Studio | 3 |
| ARTA 422 | Advanced Photography and Studio Lighting | 3 |
| General Electives (2 courses) | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTA 425 | Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design Studio II | 3 |
| ARTA 427 | Portfolio and Demo Reel | 3 |
| General Electives (3 courses) | 8 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended degree(s).
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.