Course content
Year 1 - Level C
Computer Animation Preproduction
This unit provides you with the fundamental building blocks to understand, conceive, present and generate preproduction material of animated and/or interactive Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) projects. It exposes students to the principles and techniques of storytelling through scriptwriting and storyboarding.
Computer Animation Production 1
You will learn the wider context for 3D animation content within feature productions. It will introduce you to the basic concepts of animation principles, 3D software and the grammar and practice of scripting.
Discrete Mathematics
You will be introduced to some of the fundamental ideas of discrete mathematics that are used in the areas of computing, computer animation and computer games. The various mathematical techniques are introduced in a way that demonstrates their relevance and application to computer graphics, animation and games.
Fundamentals of Computer Science and Computer Architecture
The topics covered in this unit include a short history of computing, an exposition of fundamental algorithmic techniques, an exposition of the fundamentals of data structures and databases, an introduction to automata and Turing machines, an exposition of the fundamental of computer hardware design and a brief introduction to the fundamentals of operating systems.
Principles and Practice of Programming
This unit provides you with the programming and algorithmic development foundation required for the development of software for games, films and effects. Emphasis will be placed on the appropriate selection of tools and techniques for the problem at hand and the embedding of transferable skills allowing you to pick up computer programming techniques regardless of the language or paradigm being used.
Mathematical Methods 1
The material presented in this unit provides a key mathematical ideas used in computer graphics, animation and games and will prepare you for further courses in mathematics and software techniques.
Year 2 - Level I
Computer Animation Production 2
This unit aims to introduce you to the principles and practices of team work and develop your creative skills through the production of a short visual sequence. More advanced CG skills will be introduced to enable research and development of ideas and new techniques.
Computer Animation Specialist Production
In this module you will undertake a focused project in Computer Graphics. The project is student-centred allowing you to develop a more personal style and focus on your chosen area of specialisation in the field of computer graphics.
Object Orientated Programming and Graphics
You will gain an in depth understanding of the Object Oriented programming paradigm and its application to graphics programming. The unit aims to develop an understanding of the principles of API design and usage with emphasis placed on the application of modern software engineering techniques.
Mathematics and Algorithms for Computer Graphics
In this unit you will learn about the mathematical and algorithmic techniques employed in the construction of a computer graphics system, the ability to select appropriate tools and techniques in the construction of geometric models and the ability to construct algorithms utilising the appropriate mathematical and computer graphics techniques.
Mathematics Methods 2
The aim of this unit is the development and applications of advanced mathematical topics applied to computer graphics, computer animation and computer games.
Principles of Software Engineering and Operating Systems
This unit builds upon the level C Computer Science and Architecture unit and programming units to give you an engineering perspective to the theoretical underpinnings in year 1. It also introduces the fundamentals of operating systems together with the basics of networking and communications.
Year 3 - The Placement Year
Optional 1 year placement
Year 3 or 4 (depending on placement) - Level H
Major Project & Report
Your Major Project will mark the culmination of production work and acts as the integrating component of techniques taught to throughout the three years of study. Major projects aim to produce work of high quality that demonstrates the technical, creative, and professional skills of a graduate. Major project productions should result in computer graphics and computer animation projects, of a high enough quality, which could be entered and/or presented in international and national festivals and conferences.
Collaborative Research Project
You will work in a professional manner as part of a research and development team on a specific project of your choice.
Animation and Games Systems Techniques
You will learn some of the more advanced mathematical and programming techniques involved in the development of modern computer animation and games systems and tools.
Masterclasses in Computer Graphics Techniques
This unit introduces you to the professional world of a digital media production house. This unit aims to provide you with the theoretical and practical knowledge of specialist computer graphics techniques.
Advanced Graphics Software Development Techniques
This unit aims to provide you with an understanding of advanced graphics and software engineering techniques and looks to build on your ability to develop software. This unit shows how modern specialised-hardware is used to facilitate graphics production for animation, games and effects. The main emphasis of this unit will be using the GPU and modern consoles to implement high-end graphics algorithms and techniques.
