Visualization Major
Bachelor of ScienceThe Visualization program at Texas A&M University focuses on the creation, design and development of the visual experience by teaching students the equal importance of art, technology, science and design. As an undergraduate, you'll take a sequence of studio classes to grow in your area of interest. These project-based studios are supported by courses that teach programming; art theory; the production pipeline in game, animation and virtual production for in-camera visual effects; and other technical skills.
Degree Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Visualization program fosters students’ artistic, scientific and technical abilities. Students develop the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the field. Each student chooses a concentration in which they develop a focused expertise. Interdisciplinary coursework complements their focus to provide a broad foundation of knowledge.
Areas of Emphasis
- Animation production
- Virtual production
- Interactive design
- Game development
- Media art
- Visual computing
Curriculum
The four-year visualization undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. The curriculum integrates aspects of fine arts, three-dimensional design and digital technology into the studio experience.
Degree Plan | Catalog 145 (2024-2025)*
For more details about each course, view the listings in the Visualization Undergraduate Course Catalog.
For details on other courses, view the University Core Curriculum.
A grade of C or better must be made in all College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts courses. Students must also make a grade of C or better in any course used as an equivalent substitution for College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts courses that satisfy degree requirements.
*Subject to change
Fall Semester – 14 credit hours
Drawing for Visualization | ARTS 115 | 3 credit hours
Functions, Trigonometry and Linear Systems or Engineering Mathematics I | MATH 150 or MATH 151 | 4 credit hours
Either MATH 150 or MATH 151 would fulfill this requirement.
Principles of Design I | VIST 105 | 3 credit hours
First Year Seminar | VIST 131 | 1 credit hour
Foundations of Visual Computing | VIST 172 | 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 16 credit hours
Art History Survey I or Arts History Survey II | ARTS 149 or ARTS 150 | 3 credit hours
Art History Survey I: Survey of architecture, painting, sculpture and the minor arts from prehistoric times to 14th century.
Art History Survey II. Survey of architecture, painting, sculpture and the minor arts from the 14th century to the end of the 20th century.
Engineering Mathematics I or Engineering Mathematics II | MATH 151 or MATH 152 | 4 credit hours
Either MATH 151 or MATH 152 would fulfill this requirement.
Principles of Design II | VIST 106 | 3 credit hours
Design Innovation | VIST 110 | 3 credit hours
Foundations of Visual Computing II | VIST 173 | 3 credit hours
Fall Semester – 16 credit hours
Themes in Contemporary Art or The History of Modern Art | ARTS 339 or ARTS 349 | 3 credit hours
Themes in Contemporary Art: Thematic survey of art since 1960; exploration of changing roles in art production, performance, presentation and criticism; art and artist in the global context; contemporary theory and criticism. Prerequisite: Admission to upper division.
The History of Modern Art: Chronological development of late 19th through 20th century art; emphasis on key artists, paintings, sculpture, photography and architecture. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor and undergraduate program coordinator.
College Physics | PHYS 201 | 4 credit hours
Fundamentals of classical mechanics, heat, and sound.
Time and Interaction | VIST 210 | 3 credit hours
Visual Computing | VIST 272 | 3 credit hours
Production Techniques | VIST 275 | 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 16 credit hours
Composition and Rhetoric | ENGL 104 | 3 credit hours
Focus on referential and persuasive researched essays through the development of analytical reading ability, critical thinking and library research skills.
Visual Studies Studio I | VIST 206 | 3 credit hours
Life and Physical Sciences | 4 credit hours
Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.
Directed Elective | 3 credit hours
Select from ARTS 210, ARTS 212, ARTS 303, ARTS 304, ARTS 305, ARTS 308, ARTS 312, ARTS 315, ARTS 325, ARTS 328, ARTS 341, ARTS 353, VIST 235, VIST 282, VIST 283, VIST 284, VIST 310, VIST 357, VIST 370, VIST 372, VIST 386, VIST 439, VIST 465, VIST 470, VIST 472, VIST 474, VIST 476/CSCE 447, VIST 477/CSCE 446, VIST 480, VIST 487/CSCE 443.
Supporting Elective | 3 credit hours
Select from ARTS 200-499; VIST 200-499 (except 301, 311, 331, 494).
Fall Semester – 15 credit hours
Visual Studies Studio II | VIST 305 | 3 credit hours
Research Techniques in Visualization | VIST 339 | 3 credit hours
Communication | 3 credit hours
Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 credit hours
Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.
Directed Elective | 3 credit hours
Select from ARTS 210, ARTS 212, ARTS 303, ARTS 304, ARTS 305, ARTS 308, ARTS 312, ARTS 315, ARTS 325, ARTS 328, ARTS 341, ARTS 353, VIST 235, VIST 282, VIST 283, VIST 284, VIST 310, VIST 357, VIST 370, VIST 372, VIST 386, VIST 439, VIST 465, VIST 470, VIST 472, VIST 474, VIST 476/CSCE 447, VIST 477/CSCE 446, VIST 480, VIST 487/CSCE 443.
Spring Semester – 15 credit hours
Field Studies in Innovation or Internship | VIST 301 or VIST 494 | 6 credit hours
Field Studies in Design Innovation: Design innovation in international and domestic environments away from the Texas A&M University campus; emphasis on the cultural, social, economic, geographical, climatic and technological factors influencing design solutions for human needs. May be taken two times for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; approval of assistant dean for international programs and initiatives.
Internship: Practical experience in a visualization related company; equivalent of 600 hours over at least 15 weeks; departmental pre-approval through the departmental internship coordinator required; post evaluation conducted following the internship. May be taken up to six hours for credit. Prerequisites: Upper division in Visualization and approval of Visualization intern coordinator.
Language, Philosophy and Culture | 3 credit hours
Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.
Supporting Elective | 3 credit hours
Select from ARTS 200-499; VIST 200-499 (except 301, 311, 331, 494).
Or Semester Away: May be satisfied by study abroad, at another university, internship, or special arrangement by advisor or instructor. Electives may be taken online, distance education, at another university or college, or at a study abroad university.
General Elective | 3 credit hours
Semester Away: May be satisfied by study abroad, at another university, internship, or special arrangement by advisor or instructor. Electives may be taken online, distance education, at another university or college, or at a study abroad university.
Or select from any 300-499 course not used elsewhere. If you do not participate in study abroad, 3 hours will come from International and Cultural Diversity.
Fall Semester – 15 credit hours
History of the United States | HIST 105 | 3 credit hours
Course covers: Colonial heritage; Revolution; Adoption of Constitution; growth of nationalism and sectionalism; Civil War; Reconstruction.
Visual Studies Studio III or Capstone Studio | VIST 405 or VIST 409 | 3 credit hours
Visual Studies Studio III: Theory and practice in the art and science of the visual image; scientific and mathematical principles as process; information theory and sensorial design; interactivity and user integration; integration of real and virtual environments including lighting design and material definition.
Capstone Studio: Completion of the proposed capstone project; integration of core methodologies, concept development, drawing and design, art history, aesthetics, research, methodology and processes, scripting and programming and digital communication; required peer reviewed publication or other appropriate venue. May be taken two times for credit.
Government/Political Science | 3 credit hours
Either POLS 206 or POLS 207 would fulfill this requirement.
Directed Elective | 3 credit hours
Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.
Supporting Elective | 3 credit hours
Select from ARTS 210, ARTS 212, ARTS 303, ARTS 304, ARTS 305, ARTS 308, ARTS 312, ARTS 315, ARTS 325, ARTS 328, ARTS 341, ARTS 353, VIST 235, VIST 282, VIST 283, VIST 284, VIST 310, VIST 357, VIST 370, VIST 372, VIST 386, VIST 439, VIST 465, VIST 470, VIST 472, VIST 474, VIST 476/CSCE 447, VIST 477/CSCE 446, VIST 480, VIST 487/CSCE 443.
Spring Semester – 13 credit hours
History of the United States | HIST 106 | 3 credit hours
Course covers: Since reconstruction; new social and industrial problems; rise of progressivism; U.S. emergence as a world power; World War I; reaction and New Deal; World War II; contemporary America.
Capstone Studio | VIST 409 | 3 credit hours
Government/Political Science | 3 credit hours
Either POLS 206 or POLS 207 would fulfill this requirement.
Life and Physical Sciences | 1 credit hour
Multiple classes could fulfill this requirement.
Directed Elective | 3 credit hours
Select from ARTS 210, ARTS 212, ARTS 303, ARTS 304, ARTS 305, ARTS 308, ARTS 312, ARTS 315, ARTS 325, ARTS 328, ARTS 341, ARTS 353, VIST 235, VIST 282, VIST 283, VIST 284, VIST 310, VIST 357, VIST 370, VIST 372, VIST 386, VIST 439, VIST 465, VIST 470, VIST 472, VIST 474, VIST 476/CSCE 447, VIST 477/CSCE 446, VIST 480, VIST 487/CSCE 443.
Careers
Visualization graduates are prepared for a range of careers, including:
- Visual development
- Production management
- Asset development
- Technical artist
- UI/UX development
- Game design
- Game level design
- Game asset development
Related Minors
This minor is designed to meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence integration in artistic practice, equipping students with the skills to incorporate AI into visual arts, dance, theatre, interactive media and music. The program provides a comprehensive education on the use of AI tools, emphasizing critical decision-making, ethical considerations and the social implications of AI.
The minor in game design and development offers students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skill associated with the aesthetic and technical aspects of interactive media. In collaboration with other students, you will learn core competencies as well as engage in creative problem solving.
The graphic design minor allows you to specialize in design foundations. The minor is designed to provide students with a general understanding of typography, the use of image and color, layout, relevant software skills and the language of graphic design.
The studio art minor allows you to explore your creative side through the combination of art and digital tools. In this program you will develop and hone your skills through practice of the visual arts in multiple mediums.
Virtual production has become common in entertainment media production, and its use is expanding into areas including architectural/engineering visualization, manufacturing, product design, simulation and training, and live performances. The curriculum includes virtual production techniques, storyboarding, visual computing, lighting and cinematography.
Semester Away
All visualization may choose between studying abroad, studying at another university or serving an approved internship in an industry related to the student’s area of interest. Visualization students should spend their semester away during the fall or spring of their junior year, after taking VIST 206 and before taking VIST 405.
In the fall, students and faculty from the visualization program travel to Italy for an artistically focused semester abroad. In the spring, we offer a semester abroad in Germany with a technical focus. Students also have the option to participate in reciprocal exchanges to Australia (technical/animation), England (technical) or Singapore (technical/coding).
Get Involved with Research
Apply what you’re learning in the classroom in a different way. As an undergraduate, you can conduct interdisciplinary research with faculty and research labs. Expand your college experience by investigating new visualization techniques and presenting at conferences. Participating in undergraduate research will help you stand out in job interviews or prepare you for graduate school.
FAQ About the Visualization Degree
High school students can take art, design, and coding courses to prepare for the visualization program. These courses are not required, but help prepare students for our program. Students wishing to transfer into our program should work on developing their portfolio. While first-time-in-college freshmen do not need a portfolio to apply, transfer students do.
The cost to attend varies depending on a variety of factors, including semester of admission, student type, how many hours you take per semester, and rate type. Use the Texas A&M Tuition Calculator to get the best estimate of your tuition cost per semester.
Additional costs to consider include course materials, housing, meal plans, parking, and fees.
Numerous scholarships and financial aid are available through Texas A&M University, the College of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts, and the visualization program. Incoming freshmen applicants are considered for university scholarships through the ApplyTexas Application or the Coalition Application. Continuing students can apply for additional scholarships through the University Scholarship Application for Continuing Students. For more information about university scholarships, visit scholarships.tamu.edu.
Yes, you can transfer in the visualization program (or change your major to visualization). In order to apply, you will need to provide a portfolio that demonstrates your best work and to meet the requirements.
For more information about the B.S. in Visualization program, please contact Jill Raupe, academic advisor, at jill-d-raupe@tamu.edu.
FAQ About the Visualization Program
High school students can take art, design, and coding courses to prepare for the visualization program. These courses are not required, but help prepare students for our program. Students wishing to transfer into our program should work on developing their portfolio. While first-time-in-college freshmen do not need a portfolio to apply, transfer students do.
Yes. The visualization program combines artistic skills with technological prowess. Having an artistic background and an understanding of new or traditional arts will help you be successful in this major.
Comfort with technology is important. Skills in coding, 3D applications and/or 2D applications are helpful.
We have a maker space, print lab, open access computer lab and cintiques.
Yes. The visualization program requires that all incoming students (freshmen, change of majors and transfer students) have a serviceable laptop computer and suggests a minimum system configuration. A PC is preferred at this time for animation and gaming areas of interest.