Computer Graphics

(130 semester hours) Requirements are subject to change.

The computer graphics major at Springfield College is a hands-on art program that emphasizes three main areas of study: 3-D animation, multimedia design, and graphic web design. These three areas prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to compete in the rapidly growing field of computer graphic web design and animation.

Students will explore traditional animation through the use of computers. Advanced students will work on state-of-the-art equipment, creating artwork, graphic designs, 3-D animation, and websites. In the senior year, students will select an internship/ fieldwork placement. This will enable the student/computer artist to experience the job market—the “real world” of the computer graphic industry.

For more information about the computer graphics major, contact Professor Ruth West of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at (413) 748-3679 or by e-mail at Ruth_West@spfldcol.edu. Information is also available from the Admissions Office, (800) 343-1257.

General Education Program - 41–44 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major.

I. General Education Program

To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

II. Core Requirements (50 s.h.)

ARTS 190 - Community Service Experience Credits: 2 s.h.

ARTS 102*W - Arts and Ideas Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 103* - Studio in Computer Graphics Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 104* - Sensitivity and the Creative Process Credits: 2 s.h
ARTS 108* - Studio in Drawing Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 111* - Studio in Design Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 116* - Studio in Painting Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 120*W - Contemporary Art Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 190 - Community Service Experience Credits: 2 s.h.
ARTS 202 - Computer Animation Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 203 - Advanced Desktop Design Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 210* - Figure Drawing Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 231 - 3-D Animation Credits: 3 s.h
ARTS 260 - Advanced Studio in Art Credits: 2-6 s.h
ARTS 386 - Supervised Field Experience Credits: 2-10 s.h
RSCH 141 - Guided Individual Study Credits: 2-6 s.h

III. Selective Requirements (15 s.h.)

IV. Required Specialization (9 s.h.)

Select one of the following sequences:

Presentation and Web Sequence

Select three of the following courses:

ARTS 263 - Advanced Studio in Design—Portfolio Preparation (3 s.h.)

ARTS 260 - Advanced Studio in Art Credits: 2-6 s.h
ARTS 263 - Advanced Studio in Design-Portfolio Presentation Credits: 3
CISC 335 - Literacy, Hypermedia, and Modern Communication Credits: 3 s.h
MGTE 318 - Advertising Credits: 3 s.h

Animation Sequence

Select three of the following courses:

ARTS 260 - Advanced Studio in Art Credits: 2-6 s.h
DANC 110* - Laban Movement Analysis Credits: 3 s.h
ENGL 343* - Film as a Narrative Art Credits: 3 s.h
MUSC 133 - Music Technology Credits: 3 s.h

V. Electives (12–15 s.h., to complete 130 s.h.)

Choose electives in consultation with an advisor.

VI. Advance Standing Standards

Advanced standing is an assessment by the faculty in the Visual and Performing Arts Department of the student’s readiness for advanced courses, various fieldwork experiences, and professional responsibilities. All computer graphics majors must qualify for advanced standing in the semester prior to completing advanced courses, fieldwork, internship, or practicum. Students may apply for advanced standing in October, February, or in certain cases, May. (Students planning to do an internship, practicum, or fieldwork in the fall semester must apply by the previous February—the May deadline will only allow students to enroll in certain advanced courses).

In order to achieve advanced standing, students must have a record of demonstrating standards of professional competency related to attendance, preparation, academic honesty, creativity, maturity, professional behavior, empathy towards others, attitude,
and aesthetic awareness. Students must also meet the following acadmic standards:

A cumulative GPA of 2.500.
A 2.500 GPA in all program requirements.
A grade of C or better in all ARTS or ATPY courses.
Presentation of an individually designed resume, a professional portfolio of art work, and a reel of video animation.

Once met, standards for advanced standing must be maintained to continue in the major. Students who do not achieve advanced standing by their 90th semester hour must change to another major. If the standards are eventually met, the student may petition the department’s Appraisal and Retention Committee to be readmitted. More information about advanced standing standards and the process to apply is available from the Visual and Performing Arts Department.

VII. Sample Program by Year

The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average 17.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years (allowing for a 10 s.h. field placement in the spring of their senior year).

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Natural Science, Mathematics, Health, Physical Education, Literature, Second Language/Culture, History, Social Science, Social Justice, Phi-losophy, and Religion. In addition, the WAC requirements must be fulfilled. 12–15 s.h. of electives will be required to complete 130 s.h.

Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Education category; courses marked with a w may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.