The Computer Arts program, offered by the FAU College of Liberal Arts and the Florida Center for Electronic Communication in cooperation with the Department of Art, is a Master of Fine Arts degree based upon the American university creative workshop tradition, which requires students to present a high- level artistic portfolio in place of a scholarly thesis. The usual two-year residential program is divided into four semesters of fifteen credits per semester. After one year of study, and demonstration of proficiency, students are eligible for M.F.A. candidacy. Award of the M.F.A. degree in Computer Arts is based upon completion of sixty credits and acceptance of a professional artistic video portfolio.
Seminar focuses on problems of theoretical and practical digital representation and art.
Students present demonstrations and research papers pertaining to the special interests of the group. Since computer art is an active new field accelerated by rapid advances in technology, these seminar courses offer students the opportunity to examine and compare the essential elements in all the arts to those specific to their area of study. Students also benefit from the experience of preparing, presenting, and defending the results of their research. Principles and techniques in computer modeling, animation, rendering and presentation with an emphasis on post-production. Workstation technology and advanced computer software programs oriented toward fine art and graphic design production are studied in a hands-on laboratory.