Parkland College > CSIT > Digital Media > Curriculum

 

Digital Media CURRICULUM

The Digital Media programs equip students with the artistic and technical skills necessary in the design and development of 3D computer animated imagery, visual effects, and interactive 3D computer graphics software. 

The 3D Computer Animation program emphasizes art and design, film history, performance literature and acting, character and model design, lighting, cameras, and set design, and extensive 3D computer animation and effects software. 

The 3D Graphics Programming program emphasizes basic design, C/C++ programming, extensive interactive graphics programming, technical aspects of 3D animation software and visual effects including modeling, motion, lighting, surface treatments, rendering and shading, special effects, live action integration, and compositing. Programming courses include topics in movie quality imagery, 3D game engines, scientific visualization, and virtual reality using NCSA's CAVE facility. 

Both programs prepare students for possible employment in feature film, video, and commercial production, post-production, visual effects, CAD/CAM, architectural design, computer gaming, graphics software applications, simulation, research and virtual reality.

Degree Programs - Required Courses

 

Animation

 

Programming

ART 121   2D Design

 

3

 

3

ART 122   Drawing I

 

3

   

ART 123   Drawing II

 

3

   

ART 124   3D Design

 

3

 

3

ART 125   Color

 

3

 

3

ART 221   Drawing III

 

3

   

COM 145  Introduction to field TV production

 

3

 

3

GDS  251  Digital Photography

 

3

   

CSC 123   Computer Science I

     

4

CSC 125   Computer Science II

     

3

CSC 128   UNIX Operating system

 

3

 

3

CSC 137   3D Computer Animation I

 

3

 

3

CSC 138   3D Computer Animation II

 

3

   

CSC 139   3D Computer Animation III

 

3

   

CSC 220   Data Structures

     

3

CSC 231   Computer Graphics I

     

4

CSC 232   Computer Graphics II

     

4

CSC 233   Visual effects and movie magic

     

4

CSC 294   Computer Graphics Portfolio study

 

4

 

4

MAT 128   Calculus I

     

5

MAT 125   College Trigonometry

 

3

 

3

THE 103   Performance of Literature

 

3

   

THE 104   Acting 1

 

3

   

THE 124   Film history and appreciation

 

3

   

ENG 101   Composition I

 

3

 

3

ENG 102   Composition II

 

3

 

3

JOB 111    Job search strategies

 

1

 

1

PHI  110   Computer Ethics

 

2

 

2

SPE 200/101 Speech or Group Discussion

 

3

 

3

         

Total Credit Hours

 

64

 

64

 

Degree programs - Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Digital Media: 3D Computer Animation

Equips students with the artistic and technical skills necessary in the design and development of 3D computer animated imagery and visual effects.  Emphasis on drawing, design, photography, figure drawing, acting, narrative and performance literature, character and model design, lighting, cameras, and set design, and extensive 3D computer animation and effects software.  Prepares students for careers as character animators, 3D modelers, visual effects animators, and digital artists in feature film, video, and commercial production, post-production, visual effects, CAD/CAM, architectural design, and computer gaming.  Students in this degree program also complete the 3D Computer Animation certificate (see below).  

Suggested full-time sequences

 

Digital Media: 3D Graphics Programming

Equips students with the artistic and technical skills necessary in the design and implementation of interactive computer graphics software.  Track also includes technical aspects of 3D animation software and visual effects including modeling, motion, lighting, surface treatments, rendering and shading, special effects, live action integration, and compositing.  Emphasis on a variety of areas including C/C++ programming, rendering techniques, and extensive interactive graphics programming.  Track electives include programming courses in 3D rendering techniques (procedural shading), 3D game engines, scientific visualization, and virtual reality using NCSA's CAVE facility.  Prepares students for careers as developers, graphics software engineers, application programmers, VR and visualization specialists, shader writers and visual effects programmers, and research programmers in 3D graphics software and application development, simulation, feature film, video, and commercial production, post-production, visual effects, 3D animation software and application development, research institutions and labs, and computer gaming.  Students in this degree program also complete the 3D Software Development certificate (see below).

Suggested full-time sequences

 

Computer Certificates

Digital Media: Alias/Wavefront – Maya 3D Computer Animation Software

This certificate program equips students with technical skills and proficiency in high-end 3D computer animation software used in feature films, video, and commercial production, CAD/CAM, 3D gaming, and architectural design.  Parkland College is an authorized Alias/Wavefront Maya animation training center and uses course materials approved and provided by Alias/Wavefront for the purpose of preparing students for the industry-recognized Alias/Wavefront certification program.

Required Program Courses

(8 hours)

  Cr. Hours

CSC 137 3D Computer Animation I  

  3

CSC 138 3D Computer Animation II 

  3

CSC 139 3D Computer Animation III

  3

Total semester credit hours 

  9


Suggested full-time sequence

 

Digital Media: 3D Software Development

This certificate program equips students with software development and programming skills to work in three-dimensional graphics software and application environments in the field of computer graphics.  This is an advanced-level certificate containing courses with extensive prerequisites.

Required Program Courses

(12 hours) 

  Cr. Hours

CSC 231 Computer Graphics I 

  4

CSC 232 Computer Graphics II   

  4

CSC 233 Visual Effects and Movie Magic

  4

Total semester credit hours 

  12


Suggested full-time sequence

 

 

BACK TO TOP