The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

• Any Writing Course (W) in the department, which includes the following prefixes: ARTE, ARTH, ARTI, and ARTS.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Course Requirements for the Major: 72 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

Additional required courses, depending upon the selected Option (Art Studio or Interior Architecture) are outlined within the requirements below.

Courses common to the BFA Option in Art Studio and the Option in Interior Architecture are; ARTS 122, ARTS 123, ARTS 125, and ARTS 250; and one course selected from ARTH 110, ARTH 140, or ARTH 150.

Culminating Exhibition/Project:

A culminating exhibition is required of all students seeking the BFA degree. You will arrange this with the approval of your mentor, and the BFA coordinator, prior to your final semester in the BFA degree program.

Major Option Course Requirements: 72 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in Art Studio
• The Option in Interior Architecture

The Option in Art Studio: 72 units

Prerequisites for Admission to the BFA Option in Art Studio

Students who declare themselves an Art Major in the Department of Art and Art History are placed in the BA program. After completion of the Lower-Division Option requirements below, students may apply for admission into the BFA, and in most instances, they will be able to apply their lower division ARTS and ARTH coursework towards the BFA requirements. Advisors will clarify receiving credits toward the BFA. It is advisable to have taken upper division art studio courses in the area of your emphasis before applying to the BFA in Art Studio Option. A GPA of 3.0 or higher (in the major) is needed to apply to the program. Admission to the program is determined by a portfolio review. Students in the BFA Art Studio Option must maintain a GPA of 3.0 (in the major) in order to remain in the program.

Lower-Division Requirements: 27-30 units

The Digital Intermedia emphasis requires 27 units of lower-division coursework.  All other emphases require 30 units.  The 3 unit difference is made up in the upper-division coursework.

5 courses required:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

3 courses selected from:

Students interested in the Digital Intermedia emphasis select two courses from the list below. Students interested in the Photography emphasis are required to take ARTS 240 and ARTS 241 as two of the three courses listed below.

Upper-Division Requirements: 42-45 units

The Digital Intermedia Emphasis below requires 45 units of upper-division coursework. All other emphasis require 42 units.

Art Studio Courses: 21-24 units

Students must select a single emphasis from one of the following studio course groups to fulfill this requirement. Select 21-24 units from the emphasis group. Most studio courses at the 300 level may be taken two times for credit, and 400-level courses four times for credit. A minimum of 12 units must be taken at the 400 level. Painting and drawing courses may be combined for a single emphasis for the BFA degree.

Ceramics Group

24 units selected from:

Digital Intermedia Group

The emphasis in Digital Intermedia is for the fine art student who chooses to integrate digital media with any combination of traditional media, and/or new media. It is an interdisciplinary degree for thinkers and makers exploring new technologies or hybrid forms. The emphasis allows students to customize their course choices to best meet their creative needs. This customization must be made in consultation with the BFA faculty mentor.

21 units selected from:

Drawing Group

24 units selected from:

Glass Design Group

24 units selected from:

Students with a glass emphasis, where the course selections allow for only 18 units, may fulfill their additional 9 units by taking ARTS 399, ARTS 489, ARTS 499, or by splitting their emphasis between two disciplines (such as glass and sculpture).

Painting Group

24 units selected from:

Photography Group

24 units selected from:

A maximum of 6 units may be selected from JOUR 353, JOUR 453, MADT 396, and MADT 496.

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTS 340	Topics in Photography		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: Introductory photography course on the college level, or faculty permission. Varied topics in photographic practice at the intermediate level. Concentration on the development of the conceptual, expressive, and aesthetics of photography. Topical photographic experiences are used to help build personal portfolios that demonstrate understanding of the relationships between content, form, technique, and its audience. 6 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 12.0 units. (000786)
ARTS 343	Fine Art Non-Silver Photography		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: Introductory photography course at the college level or faculty permission. This course provides an introduction to contemporary techniques and aesthetics of non-silver photography. Both historical and non-traditional photographic processes and their application to fine art photography are covered in this course. 6 hours activity. (000789)
ARTS 440	Advanced Fine Art Photography		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ARTS 340, MADT 396, JOUR 453, or faculty permission. This course provides instruction in the design, construction, and presentation of photographically produced artworks. During the semester, students are required to produce a portfolio quality body of artwork. Theoretical and historical relationships to the student artwork are discussed. 6 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 12.0 units. (000872)
ARTS 443	Advanced Fine Art Non-Silver Photography		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ARTS 343. Advanced exploration of contemporary techniques and aesthetics of non-silver photography. This course provides instruction in the design, construction, and presentation of non-silver and/or non-traditional photographic artworks. Students produce a portfolio quality body of artwork. 6 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (015013)
JOUR 353	Photojournalism		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: JOUR 260W for Journalism majors only. Theory and practice of news photography, including picture-taking for college publications, as well as special photographic projects. 3 hours lecture. (002011)
JOUR 453	Advanced Photojournalism		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: ARTS 240 or CAGD 112 or MADT 206 or JOUR 353. This course deals with the advanced skills, theory, history, and ethics of newspaper and magazine photojournalism. It builds on basics from the prerequisite course to develop the photography skills of students who seek to become professional photojournalists. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (020492)
MADT 396	Intermediate Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 206 (with a grade of C or higher). This course addresses photographic perception, creative process, and a more thorough investigation of narrative editing practices and techniques related to commercial digital photography. Technical concepts include advanced systems of exposure and digital imaging processing for high-quality commercial digital output. Open to non-majors. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001737)
MADT 496	Applied Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 396 with a grade of C or higher or faculty permission. This course addresses the development and execution of a single commercial photography project culminating in a final portfolio. Individual research on historic and contemporary photo-practices is expected. Open to non-majors. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001794)

Printmaking Group

24 units selected from:

Sculpture Group

24 units selected from:

Or the following group of courses may be selected:

Students may fulfill the required 24 units in this emphasis with Internship credits (ARTS 489) or Special Problems (ARTS 399, ARTS 499), to be arranged with the area faculty.

Art Studio Electives: 6-12 units

6 units selected from:

Any upper-division studio ARTS courses outside the student's emphasis selected from the group above.

Digital Intermedia students take 12 units that may be focus related courses outside of ARTS. Electives to be selected with and at the discretion of the BFA faculty mentor. Examples of subjects outside of ARTS are APCG, CSCI, MADT, and MUSC.

Art History Courses: 6 units

1 course required:

1 course selected from:

Professional Preparation: 6 units

2 courses required:

The Option in Interior Architecture: 72 units

Laptop Requirement

To complete this program, the student must have the use of a laptop computer. Please consult with the department for current hardware and software requirements. Students qualify to receive special education discounts on computers and software sold through the Associated Students Bookstore (an Apple authorized campus store). For some programs, in an effort to lower student expenses, bundles consisting of a specially priced Apple laptop computer with the program's required software will be made available at the beginning of each academic year through the Associated Students Bookstore. This laptop computer package is expected to serve the student for the entire length of the program.

Grading Requirement

1. All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.
2. A grade of C- or higher is needed to pass all Interior Architecture Lower Division Option Requirements.
3. A total grade point average of at least 2.5 for all coursework is required.

Advising Requirement

Advising by IDES faculty is mandatory for all majors in this degree program.

Lower-Division Requirements: 36 units

9 courses required:

1 course selected from:

6 units selected from:

Students may take courses outside of the Art and Art History department, for example in BADM, CMGT, MADT, THEA and, upon advisor recommendation, to fulfill some requirements in this area.

Upper-Division Requirements: 36 units

7 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTI 333	Graphics III: BIM (Building Information Modeling)		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: ARTI 231. This course expands Building Information Modeling (BIM) skills to include residential and commercial design projects and the use of features such as building construction, multi-levels, curtain walls, and store fronts. Students expand the use of Building Information Modeling by using more advanced programs features to implement commercial design into the projects. 6 hours activity. (000766)
ARTI 372	Interior Materials and Finishes		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ARTI 115, ARTI 261 or faculty permission. This course introduces the building materials and finishes used in interior applications in the context of their environmental impact, their implications for human health and safety, and their potential contribution to the design of architectural interiors. This course covers how to use finishes and materials appropriately for interior applications; study how materials are installed and how they transition into one other; understand the substructure on which they are applied and how to specify materials properly. Activities include lectures and panel discussion by product representatives. Field trips to showrooms and manufacturing facilities to expand your resource base. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (000734)
ARTI 373	Interior Lighting and Color		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ARTI 115, ARTI 261 or faculty permission. This course focuses on lighting design based upon critical awareness of the luminous environment. Lighting fundamentals and applications for various types of interior environment are emphasized. Students learn to analyze the spatial requirements for light, select proper systems, draw reflected ceiling plans, draw electrical plans, lighting legends, lighting schedules, codes and emergency lighting. Understanding daylight and how to control it will be also be discussed. This course addresses the relationship of interior lighting and color. Students explore the application of color theory to interior design. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (000768)
ARTI 434	Graphics IV: Construction Documentation		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: ARTI 333 or faculty permission. This course emphasizes the overview of interior architecture construction and detailing. Students create a set of working drawings for projects designed in the interior architecture studio. This course covers advanced problems in design and detailing of interior finish systems such as millwork details, cabinetry, electrical components, mechanical components, fittings, finish and equipment schedules with an integration to building codes and life safety requirements. 6 hours activity. (020727)
ARTI 474	Building Systems and Environmental Technologies		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: ARTI 363 or faculty permission. This course focuses on the foundations knowledge, concepts, and skills fundamental to structure, construction, and materials. Interior building systems in relation to human sensory reactions, psychological factors, health, safety, and comfort including building codes relating to building systems are addressed. The vocabulary and concepts of environmental technologies related to lighting, acoustics, water and waste for architectural and interior design. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (020730)
ARTI 485W	Portfolio (W)		3.0	FS	GW  W
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement or faculty permission. This course assists and mentors students in assembling a comprehensive portfolio of their academic work. Students learn various formats and processes used in creating a portfolio. Methods and examples or organization and layout are covered. The purpose of the portfolio is to showcase each student's best technical, creative, and analytical skills. The end product is a customized template than can then be supplemented with new projects as students continue to develop professionally. 3 hours activity. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (000866)
ARTS 489	Internship Program in Art		1.0 -3.0	FS
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Supervised, out-of-classroom art-related work experience within the University (as in galleries and the slide room), and in connection with community programs and businesses (as in museums, galleries, art centers, etc.). Open to art majors and minors at junior and senior levels with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or to graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0. 3 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (000870)

ARTS 489 must be taken for at least 3 units.

3 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTI 362	Design Studio II		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: ARTI 261 or faculty permission This studio focuses on the application of theoretical principles and the conceptual design process in residential environments. With case study research for assessing user needs, students learn to develop building programs, applying research findings to design, and evaluating performance of the built environment through various abstract, conceptual, and exploitative projects. Selection of residential furniture, accessories, and interior finishes are emphasized. 6 hours activity. (000817)
ARTI 363	Design Studio III		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: ARTI 362 or faculty permission. This studio focuses on the analysis of furniture and cabinetry with emphasis on theories of use, ergonomics, design development, materials and methods of fabrication and manufacturing. Aesthetic and functional issues related to the creation of custom freestanding furniture. Special attention is given to anthropometric and ergonomic considerations, as well as the fabrication materials and construction methods. Students produce prototype furniture of their own design. 6 hours activity. (020729)
ARTI 464	Design Studio IV		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: ARTI 231, ARTI 232, ARTI 363 or faculty permission. This course emphasizes the elements used by the designer in the development of commercial interiors of retail and hospitality interior spaces such as retail stores, cafes, and restaurants. Both conceptual and practical issues are explored relative to site analysis, programming, space planning, green design, circulation, volume, furnishings, color, and texture in the design or interior space. 6 hours activity. (000820)
ARTI 465	Design Studio V		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: ARTI 464 or faculty permission. This studio course focuses on the application of theoretical principles and the conceptual design process in contract design or corporate and institutional designs. With case study research for assessing user needs students learn program analysis, apply evidence-based research findings to design, and evaluate performance of the built environment through various large scale projects. 6 hours activity. (020728)

Art History Requirements: 3 units

1 course required:

Interior Architecture Capstone Studio: 3 units

1 course required: