REGULATIONS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS DEGREE IN MEDIA, ANIMATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (MAAI)
1.0 PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME
This is a four-year programme designed to produce highly qualified and dynamic personnel that will meet the increasing demand for Animators in the Creative and Multimedia industries. Students going through the programme learn essential knowledge and skills that enable them to produce client-ready animation production products and technical skills, insight and platforms to apply their creative talent to a successful career in 2D or 3D animation in film, computer games, visualisation, motion capture and advertising industries.
2.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
2.1 NORMAL ENTRY
For normal entry, a candidate should: –
- have satisfied the General Regulations,
- have a pass in English Language and a pass in Mathematics at “O” Level, and Advanced Level pass in Art and Design, Design and Technology, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, History, Geometry and Mechanical/Building Drawing, Computer Science or any other relevant subject will be an added advantage.
2.2 Special Entry
- Holders of a Diploma in Fine Art, Art and design, Computer or any other Creative Media discipline and have at least five years of hands-on experience may apply for admission.
- A minimum of a National Diploma in Computer Science, Art and Design or equivalent from a recognised institution, or
- A recognised teaching qualification with a specialisation in Computer Science or Art and Design.
2.3 Mature Entry
Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees of the Midlands State University.
3.0 PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS
3.1 Areas of study: Animation, Game Design, Artificial Intelligence
3.2 Specialist focus: In a world where visual communication is the norm, animators are in high demand in TV, movies, gaming, corporate films, education and mainstream news media.
3.3 Orientation: Develop creative and technical abilities in character animation, visual storytelling, compositing and editing.
3.4 Distinctive features: The programme builds the research-technology-innovation continuum and focuses on knowledge development and application using a student-centred approach.
4.0 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
4.1 Employability: Graduates have an opportunity to get employed in among the following:
Animator, 3d designer, 2d designer,3D Modelling, Virtual Designer, Creative Director, Applications designer, Filmmaker, Game Designer, Artificial Intelligence Designer
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Level 1 Semester 1
Code Module Description Credits
MAAI 131 Art History 10
MAAI 132 Life Drawing 12
MAAI 133 History and Theory of Animation 10
HCS 135 Introduction to Information Systems 10
CS131 Basic Communication Skills 12
Level 1 Semester 2
MAAI 134 Introduction to 2 Dimension Animation 12
MAAI 135 Applied Colour Theory 12
MAAI 136 Visual Narrative and Cinematography 12
MAAI 137 Aesthetics 10
MAAI 138 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Media Practice 10
MAAI 138 Animation Production Process 12
CS 132 Extended Communication Skills 12
LEVEL 2 Semester 1
MAAI 231 Introduction to C++ Programming 10
MAAI 232 3 Dimension Animation 12
MAAI 233 Principles of Audio-visual Effects 12
MAAI 234 Stop Motion 12
ENT 131 Entrepreneurship 12
LEVEL 2 Semester 2
MAAI 234 Visual Effects and Environments 12
MAAI 235 Motion Graphics 12
RTMP 238 Media and Communication Research Methods 10
MAAI 237 Unmanned Production Systems 12
RTMP 241 Text, Audiences and Reception 10
GS 231 Gender Studies 10
BAEH 239 African Cultures and Heritage 12
LEVEL 3
MSS 300 Work- Related Learning Placement Report 40
MSS 331 Work- Related Learning Report 60
MSS 332 Academic Supervisor’s Assessment 30
MSS 333 Work place Supervisor’s Assessment 30
Level 4 Semester 1
MAAI 431 Digital Painting 12
MAAI 432 Sculpting and Rigging for Film 12
MAAI 433 Capstone project 48
MAAI 434 Curatorship 10
Level 4 Semester 2
MA 435 Research Project 24
MA 436 Data Analytics 10
MA 437 Fundamentals of Game Design 12
MODULE SYNOPSES
MAAI 131 Art History
The module introduces a range of skills required to study the History of Art, including the first-hand study of works of art. It is designed to familiarise students with some current debates on the subject and introduce them to a variety of theoretical positions.
MAAI 132 Life Drawing
This module trains students to develop the skills needed to visualise and create ideas for digital and interactive projects. Students will be exposed to various training and basic drawing techniques that will hone their ability to visualise ideas. Rudimentary exposure to digital tools will occur in the later part of this module to solidify the relevance of traditional skills in digital tools.
MAAI 133 History and Theory of Animation
This module surveys the development of animation over the past century. Students explore the evolution of the medium and how technology, economics, artistic trends, individual artists and national cultures have affected its development.
HCS 135 Introduction to Information Systems
Refer to the Department of Information Systems
CS 131 Basic Communication Skills
Refer to the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees
MAAI 134 Introduction to 2-Dimension Animation
This module introduces the language and principles of classical animation through analysis and decomposition of movement frame-by-frame. Students will explore the importance of effective timing and spacing, and how their manipulation can affect the feel of an action.
MAAI 135 Applied Colour Theory
The module helps students to create a logical structure for colour. While arranging color objects they will be able to create a mental mapping to develop a logical structure. The students will gain an extensive level of knowledge and skills when applying colour.
MAAI 136 Visual narrative and cinematography
This module examines the digital pre-visualisation processes of modern filmmaking which supplement traditional storyboarding techniques. Through demos and exercises, students learn how to utilise animation and modelling to stage and art-direct complex sequences before they proceed to actual production. Lighting, camera placement, movement, editing, and storytelling are also covered in class lectures. In this module, students will develop an understanding of film language, camera angles, composition, lighting, mise-en-scène, editing and sound design.
MAAI 137 Aesthetics
This module focuses on definitions and questions around aesthetics. It introduces the basic terminology of aesthetics as a philosophical subject. Through engagement with both ancient and modern conceptions of the relationship between art and philosophy, the module identifies and critiques key stages in the development of aesthetics from Plato and Aristotle’s contrasting views on mimesis, the philosophical debates developed in the Enlightenment, Hume’s views on ‘taste’, Kant’s work on the ‘beautiful’ and the ‘sublime’, and the contrasting views of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche.
MAAI 138 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Media Practice
This module introduces the principles of Computational Intelligence and the main techniques applicable to control, as well as a variety of real-world problems. Students will gain an understanding of the principles and applicability of the most widely used AI tools appropriate for control, e.g. autonomous mobile robots.
CS 132 Extended Communication Skills
Refer to Faculty of Arts and Humanities Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees
MAAI 231 Introduction to C++ Programming
This module provides an introduction to the basic aspects of writing computer programmes in the C++ language. The module covers three areas: input/output through console and files, storage of data in computer memory through primitive variables, arrays, pointers and vectors and algorithm design strategies and implementation of algorithms
MAAI 232 3 Dimension Animation
This module introduces 3D animation production within the context of a small production pipeline. This module emphasises how character animation influences character personality and how performance and dialogue propel a story and create the mood. Students explore the choreography of a scene through action and composition. They learn the multifaceted issues of animated performances and the expression of emotion, timing, and the subtlety of character. Lip-synching and dialogue animation are presented. Students appreciate character rigging for animation.
MAAI 233 Principles of Audio-visual Effects
This module introduces students to special effects which will enhance their skills in creating animation. This module aims to equip students with the capability to create a range of effects for a variety of needs in animation production. Students study simulation through particle-based effects and an overview of soft body dynamics in the form of cloth, hair and fluid simulation. Students learn to optimise their workflow to produce rendered effects that display natural behaviour and appearance.
MAAI 138 Animation Production Process
This module introduces traditional animation production within the context of a small production pipeline. Students work in teams with the goal of delivering a short animated project and creating an animated film. Students translate storyboard to layout and the choreography of camera and action to communicate the story effectively. Students deal with new dynamics within the team and general scene management.
MAAI 234 Stop Motion
The module helps the students to attest to the truth that stop-motion deals with reality. They must play a careful balance between gravity, actual materials and real light to bring your creations to life.
ENT 131 Entrepreneurship
MAAI234 Visual Effects and Environments
This module provides the opportunity for students to create architectural interiors and natural environments representing houses, buildings, and virtual worlds contained under one roof, in which to place the game characters. It explores and integrates design and technology to develop matte paintings, virtual sets and digital backgrounds. Students acquire the knowledge and practical skill sets for digital matte painting production.
MAAI 235 Motion Graphics
The module provides students with intermediate practical skills in motion graphics for film and television including animation and visual effects.
RTMP 238 Media and Communication Research Methods
This module introduces students to both qualitative and quantitative research in media. It distinguishes the main research approaches, that is, positivist/ scientific research the critical or social science research. The module focuses on research paradigms, research instruments, data collection as well as data analysis procedures and research ethics.
MAAI 237 Unmanned Production Systems
This is a practical module that equips students with skills and knowledge to effectively use Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) or drones. It introduces them to aerial photography and drone camera systems, inspection, surveying and mapping, as well as SUAS operation best practices.
RTMP 241 Text, Audiences and Reception
The module traces the theoretical foundations of audience studies. Key issues include the perception of the text in different traditions, the role of new information technologies on audience studies and research in the field.
GS 231 Gender Studies
Refer to academic regulations for GC degrees.
MAAI 431 Digital Painting
This module covers digital painting techniques essential to producing artwork and background for concept art, animation and games. It covers speed drawing and painting and further enhances students’ understanding of light and shade, colour, composition, atmospheric and linear perspectives, form and space to create an appropriate mood and emotion for the situation as required in the script and the illusion of volume and space.
MAAI 432 Sculpting and Rigging for Film
This module deals with issues relating to character modelling, rigging and setup based on production requirements. Students learn various character setups and explore appropriate modelling and rigging solutions for their characters. Topics include skeletons, forward/inverse kinematics and custom control panels. Students learn to set up a character for a wide range of complex body movements, with an emphasis on techniques for creating controls, which are realistic, flexible and can be intuitively animated.
MAAI 433 Capstone project
A capstone project is a culminating assignment, on which students usually work during their final year in school or at the end of the academic programmes. It requires different intellectual activities. This project helps young people learn how to find and analyse information and how to work with it efficiently.
MAAI 434 Curatorship
The module focuses on the historical evolution of “curatorship” and exhibition making. It is devoted to the purpose of the exhibition, examining ideas related to the nature of the object, the narrative of the subject, and the experimental potentiality of the format. Key areas discussed include representation and presentation in animation and design and the strategies and languages for display and communication within a wide variety of media.
MAAI 435 Research Project
Students write a research project of not more than 9 000 words in a Media, Animation and AI-related area.
MAAI 436 Data Analytics
This module is designed to provide students with an introduction to the statistical principles used in data analytics and their application using a suitable statistical package. The module begins by considering how graphical summaries and numerical summaries, such as mean, median, standard deviation and correlation, can be used to describe and understand data. The issue of data handling is then considered. The basic concepts of inferential statistics are discussed and the use of methods for understanding the statistical importance of differences in means and proportions are described.
MAAI 437 Fundamentals of Game Design
This module studies the game mechanics – the rules intended to produce an enjoyable gameplay, and introduces the principles and methodologies behind the rules and play of games. It first studies the simplest types of games, board games and card games, and examines basic math and rules that make these simple games enjoyable. Students use this theoretical knowledge to create simple practical games that show their comprehension of what is enjoyable in games. Students learn the basics of physical game mechanics and expand their expertise by looking at various arcade-action games and other simple action games. They create prototypes of games and hold focus groups to get feedback on their designs.