The University of Texas at Dallas requires animation graduate students take two core classes: Aesthetics of Interactive Arts and Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Arts and Technology. Both classes are worth three semester hours. The aesthetics course allows students to study artistic expression in interactive electronic arts. Meanwhile, the arts and technology course provides insight into technology basics as they relate to art. After taking the two required classes, animation graduate students can take animation electives. Electives include courses in game design, game production and animated motion pictures. Elective courses are worth three semester hours.
The university's arts and technology program features three animation buildings. The motion capture lab houses equipment for students to create animation via movement from the human body. The lab has 16 digital cameras and a 40-square-foot space able to record the movement of up to six people. The university's digital sound lab is used for making audio recordings for video games and animated motion pictures. Students have access to the lab's 20 computers and sound synthesis software. Finally, the mobile innovations lab houses facilities for students to conduct research on mobile animation technology.
Although graduate student focus remains on studying and preparing thesis projects, animation graduate students have opportunities to showcase their work at events hosted by the university. The university hosts the Computer Gaming Entrepreneurship Competition, or CGEC, one of the largest computer gaming competitions in the world, with approximately $50,000 in prizes. The university also hosts the Game Engineering Conference and Arts Festival, an event where animation graduate students can display their work. The Game Engineering Conference hosts video game tournaments and animation seminars.