UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Computing Informatics and Media
Department of Computing
Programme/course title:Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects
Final award: / MSc/MA [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 7]
Programme titles: / MSc Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects (ACASFX)
MA Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects (ACASFX)
Programme accredited by: / n/a
Duration: / 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Subject benchmark statement: / Computing, Art and Design, Communication, Media, Film & Cultural Studies
Date produced: / March 2005
Last updated / July 2011
Background
The past decade has seen a rapid expansion in the use of computer-based imagery in the generation of film, television, interactive entertainment and computer games. Hardly any piece of visual media is produced today that has not at some time been manipulated by a computer. The need for well-qualified professionals to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and new computer graphics technologies will continue to grow with this widespread use.
The School of Computing, Informatics and Media (SCIM) has been involved in undergraduate programmes in this field for some time, backed up by an international research programme in imaging, multimedia, computer animation, virtual reality, distributed virtual environments, visualisation, digital video, human computer interaction, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. The scope of this field is increasing rapidly in terms of both technology and applications, and it is increasingly difficult to develop these areas to an advanced level within the constraints of existing undergraduate courses. This postgraduate programme has been developed to complement the other Master’s courses in the Department of Creative Technology by providing a course that focuses on Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects, extending the knowledge and skills of graduates from the School’s undergraduate programmes and those from similar degrees or experiences from other institutions or organisations.
Programme Aims
This postgraduate programme of study aims to enable you to develop, at advanced level, knowledge, skill and understanding within the field of Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects, and to equip you to become a well-qualified professional able to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and emerging media technologies.
The aim of the postgraduate programme is to provide opportunities for you to gain a sound understanding of the concepts, systems and methodologies, alongside development of practical abilities and discipline skills relevant to the field of study. Additionally, the aim of the Master’s level programme is to provide opportunities for you to apply specialist skills and knowledge across specific areas of study, and to demonstrate critical judgment, research ability and proficiency in project management. These aims are achieved by
- providing a supportive, structured environment in which you are encouraged to further develop independent learning skills;
- developing deep level subject knowledge and understanding, discipline skills and personal transferable skills;
- promoting educational opportunities for ethnic minority, mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as for traditionally qualified students.
Learning outcomes indicate what you should know and understand, and be able to do on successful completion of one of the programmes. A career in Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects requires knowledge of the development and scope of forms of production and distribution, a flexible familiarity with the generic attributes of applications software, awareness of the conventions within which media artefacts are produced and read, and a well-developed set of creative, problem solving, and team working skills. As such, you will develop the following:
- Knowledge and Understanding of underlying principles, current developments and issues in Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects, 3D graphics, design, and content creation for a wide range of delivery media.
- Discipline Specific Skills in the use of Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effects for film – both in video production and post-production; the capture or creation of audio and video material and its manipulation and enhancement; the development of computer generated content for use in combination with existing film and video; the identification and evaluation of research methodologies and frameworks.
- Personal and Transferable Skills are developed as a core thread throughout the proposed modules, requiring written and oral presentation, analysis, problem solving, team working, and time management.
The Curriculum
The postgraduate programmes in Advanced Computer Animation and Special Effectscover a range of specialist topics, leading to a qualificationofthe Master's degree(detailed course structures are shown in the following section).
Typically, a taught Master's course lasts for twelve months of full-time study or twenty four months of part-time study. Part-time students are required to agree their timetables with their Course Tutors at the beginning of every semester.
The courses have two stages: the taught course stage (which takes up most of the first two semesters) and the project production/dissertation stage. The initial stage occupies two semesters and is organised on a modular basis. Modules are usually examined or assessed at the end of the semester in which they are taught.
Note that the taught course stages are September to January (semester 1) and then January to May (semester 2), and the project/dissertation stage is May to September.
You need to choose either the MA route or the MSc route. Both routes share many modules. However, the MA route allows you to develop your artistic and creative animation skills further, while the MSc route allows you to develop your practical and technical skills.
Course Structure
MSc/MAAdvanced Computer Animation and Special Effects
Module code / Credits / Level / Semester / Module title / MSc ACASFX / MA ACASFXEM4021D / 20 / M / 1 / Computer Animation & Special Effects / C / C
EM4018T / 30 / M / 1 / Project: Research & Proposal / C / C
EM4051M / 10 / M / 1 / Motion Capture (PG) / O / O
EM4042M / 10 / M / 1 / Visualisation and Storyboarding / O
EM4001M / 10 / M / 1 / Design for Human Computer Interaction / O
EM0355D / 20 / 3 / 2 / Effects Technical Animation for VFX / O
EM4019T / 30 / M / 2 / Project: Pre-Production / C / C
EM4014M / 10 / M / 2 / Computer Graphics & Applications / O / O
EM4015M / 10 / M / 2 / Research Skills and Methodologies / O / O
EM4039D / 20 / M / 2 / Image and Identity / O / O
EM4058D / 20 / M / 2 / Issues in Digital Media / O
EM4052D / 20 / M / 2 / Computer Generated Special Effects / O / O
EM4020Z / 60 / M / DISS / Project: Production & Post-Production / C / C
C = Core O = Option
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
It is worth noting that that the MSc and MA routes share 80 taught credits. The remaining modules cover the technical aspects associated with advanced computer animation and special effects for the MSc route, while for the MA route, the creative and media aspects are covered.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment strategies
You will experience a range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, demonstrated in laboratory classes, and practised in associated tutorials and seminars. Practical skills are developed in laboratory, workshop, and studio sessions. Professional and personal skills are developed through discussion and small-scale project work which involves problem solving and design exercises, often tackled by working in small groups. A particular strength of this course is the contribution made to the teaching programme by successful practising media professionals.
Each 10-credit module on the course requires you to commit 100 hours of study. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars, tutorials and workshops – and others will involve you in carrying out private study.
Methods of assessment are similarly varied and your progress will be assessed using a mix of formal examinations, presentations and seminar papers, reports, laboratory tests, essays, coursework assignments, and projects. The appropriate method is chosen so that you may demonstrate the particular learning outcomes of each module.
The School is committed to Education for Sustainable Development and endeavours to integrate ESD wherever possible into the curriculum.
Assessment Regulations
Comprehensive information about the University of Bradford’s Regulation Governing Postgraduate Taught Courses is available on the web at
Admission Requirements
The procedures, criteria and regulations for admission to these programmes of study operate within the parameters defined by the University’s Ordinance for Postgraduate Courses. However, with respect to the proposed programmes, we specifically require that all applicants:
- have a good Honours Degreecontaining a significant component in the field of Computer Animation and/or Special Effects of an approved degree-awarding body; OR
- have a good Honours Degree in a subject other than Computing, but can demonstrate sufficient relevant experience in Computer Animation and/or Special Effects.
Learning Resources
The course is supported by laboratories with up-to-date hardware and software with regular update and replacement cycles; access to broadcast TV studios; digital editing and production suites; sound studio facilities; photographic darkrooms; motion capture equipment; a render farm and a centre where audio visual equipment (e.g. still and video cameras, lights, microphones etc.) can be reserved and borrowed free of charge.
Student Support and Guidance
All students admitted to the School of Computing, Informatics and Media go through a process of induction that includes detailed talks by the Dean and Head of Department.
Afterwards, ongoing support for students is provided in the form of one-stop facilities located at the School of Computing, Informatics and Media Student Support Office (SSO) in Horton Building open throughout the day during term, and in the mornings and afternoons outside term.
Support for registered students also is provided 24/7 via the School of Computing, Informatics and Media intranet. This includes the SSO website at with information on:
- SCIM Student Handbook
- SCIM Learning & Behaviour Agreement
- Course Timetable
- Examination timetable
- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Coursework submission record
- E-mail Archives
The School’s intranet and website also offers information to support students, including:
- Student Staff Liaison Committee Minutes
- Courses and modules
- Course Tutors contact information
Finally, the School’s intranet includes the Technical Support website at which supports students by offering detailed information on all the technical and services offered by the School, including:
- Digital Arts Centre
- Equipment Loans Service
- IT suites
- Video Editing
- Hosting
All students on this postgraduate programme will be allocated a Personal Tutor who provides support and guidance on matters relating to learning, teaching, and student’s academic progress, pastoral support and personal development planning (PDP). There are tutors in the School who deal with issues where other social factors (relating to gender or disability for example) may have an impact on a student’s academic performance. The Student Staff Liaison Committee gives the opportunity for students to give formal feedback to the Course Tutor and/or department about curricular issues and the general running of the programme.
The School also uses the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) known as Blackboard to support students via their individual modules.
The University of Bradford provides important facilities such as extended access to Library and computing services, counselling and welfare services, and careers advice. The Disability Office provides targeted support for all students with known disabilities and routinely arranges dyslexia assessments and appropriate support (i.e. reasonable adjustment) for disabled students.
Further Information
If you would like more information about the University of Bradford, please check its Postgraduate Prospectus. More details about this course can be obtained from the School of Informatics Admissions Office via telephone on 00 44 1274 234286,e-mail .u, or visit
Disclaimer
The details of this Programme Specification and information contained therein are subject to change in accordance with the University’s course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
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