Frequently Asked Questions about the BA in Digitial Arts & Sciences degree program.

What will I learn in the BADAS program?

The interdisciplinary field of Digital Arts & Sciences is ideal for students whose intellectual and creative energies are not readily defined by traditional academic disciplines. The BA in Digital Arts & Sciences (BADAS) degree provides graduates with the technical, creative, collaborative, and critical-thinking skills that are highly prized by 21st Century employers in the entertainment, communications, and technology sectors. BADAS students gain experience working in project-based classes in team-oriented environments, reflecting the dynamics of the modern professional industries that they will enter after graduation.

ANIMATION

• Learn industry-standard techniques for film, video game, and interactive media content creation
• Apply the 12 Principles of Animation to bring characters to life
• Software: Autodesk Maya, Toon Boom

GAME DESIGN

• Acquire the practical technical skills needed for interactive entertainment
• Apply the principles of game design and production using the latest creative methodologies
• Software: Unity (Game Engine)

EXPERIENCE DESIGN & PRODUCTION

• Learn the entire process of pre-production, production, and post-production
• Apply your creativity in digital media, visual storytelling, and UI/UX
• Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere Pro), Pro Tools for Digital Audio

What career paths are available for BADAS graduates?

Jobs include:

Animator, Architectural Modeler, Art Director, Compositor, Concept Artist, Creative Director, Digital Photographer, Digital Storyteller, Game Designer, Information Designer, Interaction Designer, Media Director, Motion Graphics Designer, Moviemaker, Music And Sound Designer, Producer, Production Artist, Program Manager, Project Manager, Projection Designer, Social Media Developer, Stop Motion Animator, Storyboard Artist, Studio Artist, Television & Film Animator, Video Editor, Visual Effects Artist, Web Designer

What technologies and software packages will I learn to use?

• Adobe Creative Suite
• For animation: Maya
• For game development: Unity3D
• For programming: C++, C#, Java
• For audio design: ProTools

Are there networking or internship opportunities?

Digital Worlds strongly encourages internships that allow students to put their skills into practice in a real-world work environment while expanding their professional networks. The wide-ranging nature of Digital Worlds' interdisciplinary curricular components and its focus on critical thinking prepares students for internships and occupations in various industries and disciplines.

Gator CareerLink (GCL) is the portal to everything career at the University of Florida. Employers intentionally recruit in GCL to connect with talented UF students and alumni. Additionally, GCL provides incredible access to information about upcoming events, online resources, internships, co-ops, job shadowing, part, and full-time job opportunities, and more. GCL is a free service provided for students and alumni. Getting started is simple. Download the Quick Start Guide for fast and easy tips.

Can I be a Digital Arts & Sciences major as a freshman?

Although students are not formally admitted to the BA in DAS program until the spring term of the sophomore year, students may apply to UF as freshmen and complete lower-division requirements before applying for admission to the Digital Worlds Institute.

What is the 2nd Year Portfolio Review?

A portfolio review will be conducted during the second semester of your sophomore year at UF to determine if you will be allowed to continue in the program as a major at the junior/senior level. Please contact the contact our Academic Advisor, Alexandra Pass, during your freshman year to learn more about the portfolio review process.

Does DW participate in the PaCE Program?

No, the BA in DAS degree does not particapate the PaCE program.

Does DW admit students who have completed their AA degree as a high school student or otherwise known as HSAA applicants?

To be accepted into the BA in DAS program, HSAA students must submit a portfolio application directly to Digital Worlds by the March 15 deadline. If approved, they will immediately start upper-division coursework. If not approved, they are welcome to apply again next year or pursue a Minor in Digital Arts & Sciences.

How can I change my major to Digital Arts & Sciences?

Current UF Students who are considering changing majors into this program should contact the Undergraduate Advisor, Alexandra Pass, as soon as possible.

What are the minimum transfer requirements for UF?

A transfer applicant is an undergraduate student with at least 60 transferrable semester credit hours and that has not earned a Bachelor’s degree. Visit the UF Admissions Office website for the minimum transfer requirements.

Are there prerequisite courses that I need to have taken prior to applying?

Yes. Transfer students should have taken the following courses in order to be considered for admission to the program:

• ARH2050 – Art History 1
• ARH2051 – Art History 2
• ARH2000 – Art Appreciation
• MAC1140 – Pre-Calculus

Freshman applicants to UF interested in the BA in DAS should complete all general education requirements, including these prerequisite courses, during the first two years of study.  The DAS advisor is available to meet with freshmen and sophomores for course-planning assistance, though all lower-division students must still meet with their assigned academic advisor. 

Do I have to submit a secondary Portfolio Application in addition to my Transfer Admissions Application?

Yes, to be accepted into this program you must also apply directly to the Digital Worlds Institute via portfolio application. Late applications will not be accepted.

The BA in DAS program is limited access. Having the minimum GPA, prerequisite coursework, and portfolio does NOT guarantee admission. Admission decisions are primarily determined by competitive portfolio review. The Digital Worlds Institute will not accept students whose portfolio does not demonstrate sufficient ability to achieve success within the BA in Digital Arts & Sciences program at the junior/senior level.

What should I include in my Portfolio Application?

In order to be admitted, you are required to assemble a collection of materials. This portfolio should contain your best and most recent work. The entire application helps the Digital Worlds Faculty to evaluate your achievements, as well as artistic and academic potential.

Your BADAS Portfolio in its totality will consist of the following:

• Five short-answer applicant rationale questions
• Unofficial transcript
• Resume/CV
• Original Work
  • Digital Arts (5 - 7 pieces)
  • Programming (2 - 4 pieces)
  • Creative Works (3 pieces)

BADAS Portfolio Requirements

How do I submit my Portfolio Application?

Digital Worlds applicants submit a web-based portfolio to UF’s SlideRoom portal. This includes:

• There is a $10 submission fee that you pay online after you set up and review your portfolio.
• Images and videos can be labeled and ordered after they are uploaded. Include the title of the work, medium, size and date. You may also include the URL for your website.

Maximum file sizes:
images: .jpg, .png or .gif – 2 MB each. For good image quality and fast upload, your image files should be sized no larger than 1280 x 1280 px @ 72 dpi.
video - .mov, .wmv, .flv – up to 20 MB;
PDF - 10 MB per document.

Please see SlideRoom for additional instruction for submitting work. For technical assistance, contact support@slideroom.com

What are the computer requirements? (Software & Equipment)

Please see our Required Software & Equipment page.

When should I apply to the program?

Freshman Applicants
Apply to the University by November 1; submit Digital Worlds-specific materials by March 15 of the sophomore year (to begin coursework in the junior year)

Transfer Applicants
Apply to the University by March 1; submit Digital Worlds-specific materials by March 15.  

When will admission decisions be announced?

If all application materials are complete at both the Office of Admissions and the Digital Worlds Institute, students will receive official notice from the College of the Arts on or around the end of April. 

How can I visit Digital Worlds?

Digital Worlds Institute tours are generally scheduled for the 2nd Friday of each month between 1pm to 2:30pm. For additional questions, please email visit@digitalworlds.ufl.edu or call the REVE Front Desk at (352) 294-2000. CLICK HERE to request a tour date.