Create magic
In this visual effects program, you will expand your animation skills by learning advanced special effects techniques from our industry-expert faculty. You will also develop compositing skills, and learn how to create custom motion capture clips. Your coursework will cover design, marketing and promotion, web and multimedia, medical animation, industrial design, automotive visualization and more.
Best of all, you can earn your M.F.A. in as few as four or five semesters. Throughout, you’ll use the latest technology and build an impressive portfolio to set you apart in today’s competitive market.
What you'll learn in the visual effects animation program
- Advanced visual effects and compositing skills
- Custom motion capture clips
- Motion tracking and rotoscoping
Curriculum and requirements
Career opportunities
Estimated cost per credit
Visual effects animation curriculum
In the visual effects animation program, you study advanced special effects and animation.
Course preview
CG 605 Advanced 3D Modeling
Build a fundamental understanding of 3D computer modeling, texture mapping, lighting, and rendering technology for developing animation works. Focus on the application of modeling tools, and acquire a solid grasp of fundamental modeling techniques while completing an animation project employing principal elements of 3D modeling, texture mapping, and lighting art and design.
CG 615 Advanced 3D Animation
Embark on animation projects that allow more discretion regarding theme, topic, tools and techniques employed. Get more sophisticated techniques at every stage of animation development and incorporate them into course projects. Included in these advanced techniques are hierarchical animation, time curves and motion paths, color and light animation, advanced rendering techniques, audio/visual synchronization, and procedural descriptions of natural phenomena, etc. Complete a full-blown animated piece employing one or more such advanced techniques.
CG 625 Character Animation
Through step-by-step professor-led tutorials, you'll master essential advanced Maya modeling and animation skills through hands-on experiments. The class combines lectures with tutorials to demonstrate the mechanism of advanced Maya character modeling and advanced deformers, rigging and animation. Put the concept to work immediately in class activities, and then apply them to projects.
Visual effects careers
Your M.F.A. will prepare you for a full spectrum of career opportunities, including positions like these:
- Visual development artist
- Technical director
- Texture/surfacing artist
- Automotive visualization artist
- Forensic animator
- Architectural visualization artist
When you graduate, you’ll join an accomplished network of special effects professionals. Our alumni can be found in myriad industry segments and lm credits, including:
- Blue Sky Studios
- Nova Southeastern University
- SA Company
- Zimmerman Advertising
- Feature films including GI Joe, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hercules, The Hobbit, Life of Pi and many more
Happiness!!!Fabio Goncalves, alumni
Family vacation in GreeceLynn Bialakis, staff member
I graduated last May with an MBA degree in concentration in Human ResourcesMagalie Nsibula, student
Summer fun in BocaDr. Bob Reich, faculty member
At the Scottish border on my tour of England, Wales & Scotland.Leecy Barnett, staff member
Back in the SaddleDr Bob, faculty member