Game Design, B.S.

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Chairperson
Randy Howe
Professor	Assistant Professor
Jeffrey Warmouth	Samuel Tobin

Objectives for the Program in Communications Media

The Major in Game Design presents an opportunity for students to develop skills related to the planning and design of the interactive experience of gameplay. Students will explore game design and development, art and visual design, computer programming, 3D modeling & animation, level design, creative writing, and game studies. Other program classes and topics include: serious games, mobile platforms, history of games, and aesthetics.

This program of study will prepare students for careers in the game design industry. The major will extend beyond the classroom to include professional and co-curricular opportunities in the form of internships, practicums, and serious games partnerships with clients. Game design blends a professional education with liberal arts & sciences within its curriculum by drawing on and preparing students to succeed in three aspects across a diverse range of course offerings, including Computer Science, Art, and English.

Requirements for the Major in Game Design

Required LAS Courses

All Majors in Game Design must complete the following Liberal Arts & Sciences requirements:

ART 1400 - Drawing 3 cr
ART 1600 - Design 3 cr.
COMM 2003 - History of Interactive Media 3 cr.
CSC 1500 - Computer Science I 3 cr.
CSC 1550 - Computer Science II 3 cr.
PHYS 2300 - General Physics I 4 cr.
Total 19 cr.

Game Design Core Requirements

All Majors in Game Design must complete the following core requirements:

COMM 1105 - Introduction to Communication and Media Studies 3 cr.
GAME 2000 - Elements of Game Design 3 cr.
GAME 2200 - Introduction to Game Art 3 cr.
GAME 3000 - Game Design Workshop 3 cr.
GAME 3030 - Game Level Design 3 cr.
GAME 3060 - 3D Game Development 3 cr.
GAME 3500 - Advanced Game Workshop 3 cr.
GAME 4000 - Game Studies Seminar 3 cr.
* Fulfills Junior Writing Requirement
8 Electives (See Below) 24 cr.
COMM 4950 - Field Study 6 cr.
Total 60 cr.

Elective Courses

All Majors must complete EIGHT electives, with at least one elective from each category (A, B, C, D):

A. Interactive Media & Game Design Electives

GAME 3050 - Serious Games 3 cr.
GAME 3510 - Contemporary Issues in Games 3 cr.
COMM 3304 - Interactive Media Project Design 3 cr.
COMM 3305 - Interactive Media I 3 cr.
COMM 3306 - Interactive Media II 3 cr.
COMM 3308 - Interactive Media Seminar 3 cr.

B. Art & Design Electives

ART 1650 - Three-Dimensional Design 3 cr.
ART 2200 - Life Drawing 3 cr.
ART 2250 - Intermediate Drawing 3 cr.
GAME 3070 - 3D Modeling I 3 cr.
GAME 3080 - 3D Animation I 3 cr.
COMM 3309 - Interface Design 3 cr.
COMM 3890 - Computer Graphic Design 3 cr.
COMM 3880 - Typography 3 cr.
COMM 3940 - Motion Graphic Design 3 cr.
MUSC 1400 - Introduction to Music Technology 3 cr.
MUSC 3760 - Film Scoring 3 cr.

C. Programming & Logic Electives

CSC 1900 - Discrete Mathematics 3 cr.
CSC 2XXX Game Programming
CSC 2560 - Systems Programming 3 cr.
CSC 3200 - Programming Languages 3 cr.
CSC 3500 - Object Oriented Programming 3 cr.
PHYS 2400 - General Physics II 4 cr.

D. Writing Electives

GAME 3010 - Creative Writing for Games 3 cr.
COMM 3470 - Document Design 3 cr.
ENGL 3500 - Creative Writing 3 cr.
ENGL 3510 - Fiction Writing 3 cr.
TOTAL NUMBER OF COURSES TO BE TAKEN: 17 courses in the Major (including internship)

TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED: 60 credits (plus 19 credits LAS requirements)