» Recommended Classes for First-Year Animation and Visual Effects Majors

Here are the classes that we recommend you take during your first year as a Animation and Visual Effects major at Chapman.

For your first semester, we recommend taking 12-15 credits (most classes are 3 credits; those with labs are 4). You must be enrolled in 12 credits to be considered a full-time status student. The recommended courses below will put you at 15 credits per semester (fall and spring).

Introductory Math Requirement

First year students must either waive or complete Math 100/L (Learning and Studying Mathematics for Understanding I, with a required lab component) in their first semester. For more information, visit our Math Placement webpage.

General Education Classes

You can choose a General Education (GE) class from any GE category – it’s your choice. In general, the following GE areas are recommended to begin/complete during your first year:

GE Language Study (strongly recommended)
GE Written Inquiry
GE Quantitative Inquiry

You can learn more about general education on our General Education: How it Works page.

You may be able to fulfill some of your GE requirements with classes from your major:

AVE 247

Fulflills AI

Fall Semester

AVE 109 - Fundamental Graphics I for Animation and Visual Effects
Credits: 3

AVE 120 - Introduction to Animation and Visual Effects
Credits: 3

AVE 247 - History and Aesthetics of Animation and Visual Effects
Credits: 3

FFC 100A - You Choose!
Credits: 3

Note: All first-year students at Chapman have to take First-Year Foundations (FFC 100) in their first year of enrollment. It is recommended you enroll in this class in the first semester as a larger number of course sections and topics are available in the Fall semester.

GE Class
Credits: 3

Spring Semester

FTV 130 - Introduction to Visual Storytelling
Credits: 3

AVE 209 - Fundamental Graphics II for Animation and Visual Effects
Credits: 3

AVE 206 - Mechanics of Motion
Credits: 3

Any GE class/minor exploration
Credits: 3