The MFA Computer Art program is multidisciplinary and features several areas of concentration: animation, motion graphics, digital video, installation and digital fine art, interactive media and performance.

The following courses are required of all students:

  • Digital Art Seminars I and II
  • Two art history courses
  • Two programming courses
  • Computer Systems I
  • Thesis I and II
  • Thesis Research and Writing I and II
Read more about curriculum requirements

The remainder of the program is individually tailored to each student’s interests through meetings with the department advisor. The first-year curriculum strengthens and broadens the students’ knowledge of and creative approach to digital art in preparation for the thesis year. The second year revolves around the thesis process—the completion of a body of creative work, combined with academic research and an artist’s statement. Critique and the refinement of a personal aesthetic vision are the two most important elements of the second-year curriculum. The first- and second-year academic programs are supplemented by workshops, visiting artists, guest lectures and outreach opportunities. Degree candidates must successfully complete 60 credits, including all required courses, and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. A matriculation of two academic years is required. In the final semester, students complete their thesis project and participate in a public presentation. The project must be reviewed and approved by the thesis committee and the department chair in order for the student to be eligible for degree conferral. Although most students earn their degrees in four semesters, some find it necessary or desirable to study for five or six semesters before completing the thesis process. Extended study is determined on an individual basis and important considerations such as course work, visa extension and financial aid must be resolved before extended study can be approved. Decisions concerning transfer of credit and course exemptions are made by the committee on graduate admissions. Graduate students are also allowed to audit four undergraduate or continuing education courses at no charge. 

Sample Program: Animation

First Year: Fall
3D Modeling and Animation
Animation Culture
Computer Systems I
Digital Art Seminar I
Story Structures I
UNIX

First Year: Spring
Advanced Modeling and Rigging Concepts
Character Animation I
Digital Art Seminar II
Ecstasy and the Apocalypse
Technical Direction
Thesis Development

Second Year: Fall
Character Animation II
Dynamics and Particle Systems
Production Issues: Animation I
Thesis I
Thesis Research and Writing 

Second Year: Spring
Production Issues: Animation II
Seminar in Musical Choices
Stereoscopic 3D
Thesis II 

Sample Program: Installation Art/Digital Fine Art/Performance

First Year: Fall
Computer Systems I
Digital Art Seminar I
History of New Media in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Programming for Artists I
Sound Workshop I
Video for Computer Artists I

First Year: Spring
3D for Fine Artists
Contemporary Voices
Digital Art Seminar II
Max/MSP/Jitter I
New Forms in Video
Physical Computing I

Second Year: Fall
Digital Sculpture I
Max/MSP/Jitter II
Physical Computing II
Thesis I
Thesis Research and Writing I

Second Year: Spring
Digital Sculpture II
Max/MSP/Jitter III
Physical Computing III
Thesis II
Thesis Research and Writing II 

Sample Program: Interactive Media

First Year: Fall
Computer Systems I
Digital Art Seminar I
Multimedia Studio I
Networked Media Seminar
Sound Workshop I
Web Programming

First-Year: Spring
Digital Art Seminar II
Multimedia Studio II
New Media Theory
Physical Computing I
Thesis Development
Web Programming II

Second Year: Fall
Game Design
Interface Design
Production Issues: Interactive Media I
Thesis I
Thesis Research and Writing I

Second Year: Spring
Advanced Interface Design
App Culture–The New Medium of Mobile Software
Production Issues: Interactive Media II
Thesis II
Thesis Research and Writing II

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