Course specification and structure
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UDGAMAFY - BSc (Hons) Games Animation, Modelling and Effects (including foundation year)

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Science Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science, Preparatory Diploma, Preparatory Certificate
Total credits for course 480
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Subject Area Creative Technologies and Digital Media
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Part-time 6 YEARS 8 YEARS
Full-time 4 YEARS 8 YEARS
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

The Games Animation, Modelling and Effects (including foundation year) is dedicated to the essential and fundamental skills underpinning art and/or design disciplines. Completing level 3 allows you to progress onto the Games Animation, Modelling and Effects degree as well as any of the undergraduate courses at the Cass including Fine Art, Photography, Painting and Sculpture, Furniture, Fashion, Graphic Design, Fashion Accessories & Jewellery, Illustration, Interiors, Product, Textiles, etc.

The games sector is looking for technical artists: technically competent modellers who have good life drawing and modelling skills, can animate, can create visual effects and are competent in a range of post production techniques. The BSc Games Animation, Modelling and Effects (including Foundation year) would appeal to people interested in games art, and would fit into the broad category 'computer games', while also offering substantial interest to both students in animation and effects for this growing market.

Designing and building models for computer games requires a solid CG knowledge background and a high level of appropriate techniques and relevant tools. The core modules have been chosen with this in mind. The course allows students to specialise and explore areas of personal interest (i.e. modeller, animator, texture artist, visual effects artist) and build up a significant portfolio of work.

Students on the BSc GAME degree will collaborate with students on the BSc Games Programming course throughout the 3 years of study. Students will engage in team work and delivered finished game projects. Game Artists will be exposed to the necessary workflows to successfully produce assets for established game engines as well as game engines custom made by the Game Programming students.

The design of the course has been informed both by TIGA Guidelines for Computer Games Degrees with an art and design pathway, research and by our notable industry steering group members (for example, members of Gamelab, UK) who have an artistic and industry perspective on modelling and artwork for computer games. The Computing benchmark statements have also been taken into account:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-statement-Computing.aspx

In these benchmark statements the word ‘computing’ also refers to computer graphics (CG), visualisation and interactive game and simulation development.

Students’ learning is organised around direct contact time and directed time. Direct time takes place through lectures, workshops and tutorials. Problems are formulated via lectures and tutorials and implementation takes place in the workshop. This will take place through various access to learning facilities, materials on VLEs, hard copy and dedicated module websites.

Students will also use self-study time in addition to timetabled sessions for researching topics and reading around the taught material. Information sources will be library searches, the Internet, on-site interviews and opportunities to examine artefacts.

Team working is fostered through group work and projects. Increasingly e-learning is embedded within module design. Particular use is made of Virtual Learning Environments (WebLearn) and/or Internet-based user groups enabling asynchronous communication with tutors.

Course aims

The Foundation year aims to:

CA1 - provide a preparatory and/or diagnostic foundation year to progress to Games Animation, Modelling and Effects, a subject area alternative or a direction that utilises creative practice such as the GAME degree;

CA2 - foster self-reliance and commitment to personal development through identifying and developing skills and interests by supporting the growth of the individual with a strong pastoral approach to project practice and course academic tuition;

CA3 - introduce and develop a range of experimental, practical, conceptual and intellectual skills for having and realising ideas from a wide range of subject areas towards those specific to art disciplines – Fine Art, Photography, Painting and Sculpture, etc; or to design disciplines – Furniture, Fashion, Graphics, Jewellery, Illustration, Interiors, Product, Textiles, etc.;

CA4 - develop curiosity, independent enquiry and capacity to reason, critique and reflect upon creative practices through an integrated approach to methods of enquiry, research and analysis in studio practice and critical and contextual studies modules;
CA5 - combine intellectual processes, personal creative vision, material, media and technical skills in the realisation of creative projects that reflect independent and disciplined thinking, skill in execution and visual and verbal communication; in print and online and in exhibition spaces;

CA6 - produce students who can work independently, manage their own time and tasks and those of others where appropriate; reflect objectively on their own learning style and performance to plan effectively for the future by insisting that students prioritise their time through regular planning for work/life balance in study, leisure and employment.

The main aim for the GAME course is to provide students with a general education in the area of computer games development, with an emphasis on Computer Graphics (CG) for games: concept artwork, 2D/3D assets (environments and character models), animation, textures, visual effects (VFX) and rendering. Students will develop problem solving and teamwork skills as well as the necessary communications skills plus awareness of the ethical responsibilities with which a developer must contend.

The BSc Games Animation, Modelling and Effects degree will provide career opportunities for students in the Computer Games industry and professional practice in a range of positions from concept artist, technical artist, graphics designer to technical asset artist, character/model builder, texture artist, character animator, environment artist, VFX artist etc. The programme would also provide excellent preparation for further research or study.
This course has been designed after taking into account industry demand for computer graphics skills, both creative artist and technical - including modelling, rigging, animation, texturing, lights/cameras, visual effects (VFX) and rendering.

The BSc Games Animation, Modelling and Effects degree

1. offers a course which is relevant to the needs of industry and commerce in the computer games area with the focus on exposing students to the latest developments in computer games graphics design, animation and effects techniques
2. develops the analytical and practical skills associated with the design and implementation of graphics for computer games (modelling, animation and effects) from both a creative art and a technical perspective

3. develops the intellectual, technical and practical skills needed within the computer games modelling, animation and effects sectors

4. develops students’ creative and technical skills to fully prepare them for design/creative careers within the creative economy

5. develops students’ ability to communicate in terms of questioning, presentation, and logical representation in order to specify, resolve and design graphics for games across a wide range of genres.

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

LO1: Carry out independent research and investigation;

LO2: Gain knowledge across a range of contexts appropriate to the contemporary industry practice in computer graphics (CG), games modelling, animation, effects techniques and applications.

Cognitive intellectual skills:

LO3: Be able to identify the problem, analyse available data, formulate and design creative solutions to a problem in the general area of CG and in particular for computer games;

LO4: Develop implementation skills and awareness within the domain of CG in a variety of contexts, software packages and delivery platforms in order to deliver professional quality artefacts.

Transferable skills including those of employability and professional practice:

LO5: Use and integrate diverse tools and techniques at a professional level as well as implement creative ideas in CG;

LO6: Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and develop the skills associated with individual and team working, relationship management, communication and time management.

Subject-specific practical skills.

LO7: Be aware of the social and ethical issues as well as personal strengths and weaknesses associated with CG, games and media development, software development and operation;

LO8: Develop effective oral, visual and written communication skills via presentations, reports and demonstrations specific to CG.

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

Module Title Module Code
Project AA3001
Techniques AA3002
Formats AA3004
Critical and Contextual Studies: Foundation CP3010
Digital Design and Image Making CU4002

Game Design and Development CU4011
3D Modelling CU4009
Introduction to Drawing and Animation CU4010
Advanced 3D Modelling and Animation CU5004
Augmented Toy Development CU5013
Modelling and Texturing CU5007
Moving Image and VFX CU5008

Games Asset Development CU6007

Visual Effects for Computer Graphics and Games CU6008
Creative Technology Project CU6P02
Work Related Learning for Games and Animation FC6051
Advanced CGI Techniques CU6057

Learning Outcomes LO 1 - LO 8

Principle QAA benchmark statements

2016 Computing Subject Benchmark Statement:

https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/sbs-computing-16.pdf?sfvrsn=26e1f781_12

The latest 2016 subject benchmark statement is used in the design, delivery and review of the BSc Computer Science course and in facilitating the knowledge and skills normally expected of a computer science graduate.

Subject Benchmark Statement; Art & Design (2017)

Assessment strategy

Formative assessment will be a regular feature of the semester, encompassing peer review, opportunities for QA (Quality Assurance), detailed feedback and guidance from tutors.

Summative assessment such as coursework, presentations and group work will require students to:

Model and provide optimal solutions for a given scenario;
Demonstrate an understanding of application work flow;
Write and present verbal and written reports on development and application-based approaches to problem solutions.

Summative assessment such as unseen examinations generally will not be used in the course (see module specs), however in some modules students may require to deal with:

Multiple choice tests;
Reports, usually of specified length.

The course assessment on the degree is spread over a period of time to give students the maximum opportunity for achievement. This should also ensure that students are able to submit work to a standard that meets the assessment required on each module and that they have the opportunity to work at the highest level possible.

The BSc Computer Animation course assessment schedule also conforms to the agreed Multimedia assessment 30-credit tariff. The 30-credit assessment tariff is included in this submission.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

As part of their 3rd year (Level 6) honours year students take a Short Work Related Learning module

The module enables students to undertake an appropriate period of professional activity, related to their course at level 6, with a business or community organisation and to gain credit for their achievements. The activity can be a professional training, volunteering activity, employment activity, an activity within the School of Computing & Digital Media, placement, or business start-up activity.

Short internships within London games or digital media companies are also options and subject to availability.

Course specific regulations

At Level 3 the following faculty-wide regulations shall apply.

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION: As a condition of progressing from level 3 to 4 students are required to have gained 120 credits per level, that is, by achieving pass marks (40%) in all four modules in the preceding level of study.

PART-TIME MODE OF STUDY
Part-time mode of study is defined as 60 credits per year. Consequently, in part-time mode, the duration of study for a 120-credit award will be 2 years. The pattern of study at Level 3 follows these groupings and may be taken in either order:
Grouping 1 – AA3001 & AA3002
Grouping 2 – CP3010 & AA3004


At Levels 4, 5 and 6 Standard University regulations apply.

Modules required for interim awards

Progression to Level 4 is subject to a completion and pass (40%) of all core modules:

AA3001 Project
AA3002 Techniques
AA3004 Formats
CP3010 Critical and Contextual Studies: Foundation

A Preparatory Diploma (exit award) will be offered to students who choose to leave the course after the completion of Level 3, without taking up their place on Level 4, having passed 120 credits.

A Preparatory Certificate (exit award) may be awarded to students completing 2 core modules and achieving 60 credits.


Level 4, 5 and 6 Cores as specified in structure diagram.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Most summative assessment is at the end of year-long modules, with several formative feedback points formally instituted over the course of the year. At these interim formative feedback points students reflect on their progress-to-date with their peers and course staff; seek help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes, and make recommendations to themselves for future development. The feedback and student reflection are recorded and informs an action plan for the next period of study.

This system is highly individualised. Level 3 students participate in the School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the UG curriculum and this supports students’ personal development planning. Through these initiatives, students are increasingly able, as they progress through the year, to understand the professional environment of the subject-areas ahead disciplines, the various opportunities available to them, and how to shape their learning according to their ambitions.

Therefore, throughout the modules and the course, in this way, students build bodies of work, including reflections on progress, achievement and planning for their future achievement of targets.

The course embeds reflective learning and personal development in its strategy to be diagnostic/preparatory; it does this in a number of different ways:

The main outcome of the course is contained in the student’s portfolio of projects containing edited and organised versions of all the work the student has undertaken during the course.

It is used both for the purposes of self-reflection and evaluation, formal assessment and, in various versions, to apply for jobs or courses. Building the portfolio is a continuous enterprise. Every project, practical or intellectual exercise can be represented in the portfolio but also has to contribute to the document as a whole and in its parts. Students learn to reflect on their work both as a specific item and in the context of their own developing profile in their portfolio.

The main teaching vehicle on the course is the project where students distinguish and develop their particular skills, interests and abilities. A number of projects are set during the year, each of which addresses different criteria, and the student gains increasing responsibility for their definition, direction and development as the year progresses. Students learn to evaluate their project work against that of their peers through frequent interim presentations, pin-ups or ‘critiques’ as well as tutorials. The Techniques module specifically enables students to hone their range of practical skills as well as begin to understand how the techniques and technologies of making and representing are also tools for thinking and understanding.

A tutorial system is organised to monitor student progress and provides advice and assistance throughout the year. It is an important means of guiding students to meet the aims and objectives of the course. Tutorial reviews and critiques provide for independent examination of the impact of lectures, the development of personal work and ideas on the project outcomes. Through discussing work of a complementary, extended or diverse nature, project work can be developed in an independent way and by discussing relationships between diverse course inputs coherence can be maintained.


The course has been designed to take into account the reflective learning/personal development throughout all the course levels, from Level 3 to Level 4 (games modelling and design fundamental concepts and basics) to Level 5 (advanced techniques and tools and exploration of moving image and VFX techniques), and finally to Level 6 (complete game/prototype artefacts development and implementation throughout an entire project workflow).

A process of personal development takes place throughout the course to help students to think about and make sense of what is being learned and why; plan ahead and relate to what has been learned; and being able to apply the knowledge gained and developed skills in their own short and long term professional career. Student work implemented as module assignments can be also used and included to form their Personal Development Portfolio.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

TIGA accreditation
http://tiga.org/education/tiga-university-accreditation

Career, employability and opportunities for continuing professional development

The BSc (Hons) Games Modelling, Animation and Effects with Foundation year course has been designed after taking into account industry demand for computer graphics skills, both creative artist and technical - including modelling, rigging, animation, texturing, lights/cameras and visual effects (VFX) and rendering.

On graduation students will have a solid theoretical background and professional skills in the area of Computer Graphics (CG) with an emphasis on computer games development (concept artwork, 2D/3D assets [environments and character models], rigging, animation, textures, VFXs and rendering).

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in industry or professional practice in a range of various positions from concept artist, technical artist, graphics designer to technical asset artist, character/model builder, texture artist, character animator, environment artist, VFX artist etc.

Many companies and diverse businesses, not only in computer/video games, seek knowledge and skills in CG. Your university work and the development of your skills will address the requirements of future CG trends, emerging markets and online communities.

The programme would also provide excellent preparation for further research or study.

Career opportunities

You can choose from a wide variety of creative careers upon graduating from this degree.

You could find employment as an animator, applications developer, games designer, games developer, multimedia programmer, software engineer or a visual effects artist.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)
    English Language GCSE at grade C/grade 4 or above or will need to take the University English test

Applicants who meet the UCAS points criteria but who obtained a D/grade 3 in English and/or Maths at GCSE may be offered a University test in these areas.

You will also need to provide a portfolio of creative work at a face-to-face interview or online. For more information about the portfolio please contact m.meraviglia@londonmet.ac.uk.

We encourage applications from international/EU students with equivalent qualifications. We also encourage mature students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2019/20 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 08 Aug 2019 Last validation date 08 Aug 2019  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes
Route code GAMAFY

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 03 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
AA3001 Project Core 30 CITY AUT+SPR THU AM
          CITY AUT+SPR TUE AM
          CITY AUT+SPR MON AM
          CITY AUT+SPR FRI AM
AA3002 Techniques Core 30 CITY AUT+SPR THU PM
          CITY AUT+SPR TUE PM
          CITY AUT+SPR MON PM
          CITY AUT+SPR FRI PM
AA3004 Formats Core 30        
CP3010 Critical & Contextual Studies: Foundation Core 30 CITY AUT+SPR WED AM

Stage 1 Level 03 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
AA3001 Project Core 30        
AA3002 Techniques Core 30        
AA3004 Formats Core 30        
CP3010 Critical & Contextual Studies: Foundation Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
CU4002 Digital Design and Image Making Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU PM
CU4009 3D Modelling Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU AM
CU4010 Introduction to Drawing and Animation Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM
CU4011 Game Design and Development Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR TUE AM

Stage 3 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
CU5007 Modelling and Texturing Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR TUE AM
CU5008 Moving Image and VFX Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR THU AM
CU5013 Augmented Toy Development Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR MON AM
CU5004 Advanced 3D Modelling and Animation Option 30 NORTH AUT+SPR MON PM

Stage 4 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
CU6007 Games Asset Development Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR TUE PM
CU6008 Visual Effects for Computer Graphics and Games Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED AM
CU6057 Advanced CGI Techniques Core 15 NORTH AUT WED PM
CU6P02 Creative Technology Project Core 30 NORTH AUT+SPR WED PM
FC6050 Research Related Learning Alt Core 15 NORTH SPR WED PM
FC6051 Work Related Learning for Games and Animation Alt Core 15 NORTH SPR WED PM