Game Design, B.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Chairperson
Mary Baker
Professor	Assistant Professor
Jeffrey Warmouth	Jon Amakawa
	Les Nelken
	Britton Snyder
	Samuel Tobin

Objectives for the Program in Game Design

The Major in Game Design presents an opportunity for students to develop skills related to the planning and design of games and interactive media. 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 and related fields. Opportunities beyond the classroom include study abroad programs, professional capstone projects, game partnerships with clients, and internships. Game design blends a professional education with liberal arts & sciences within its curriculum by drawing on and preparing students to succeed in a diverse range of course offerings, including Computer Science, Art, and English Studies.

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
COMM 2003 - History of Interactive Media and Games 3 cr.
CSC 1500 - Computer Science I 3 cr.
CSC 1550 - Computer Science II 3 cr.
Total 12 credits

Game Design Core Requirements (24 cr.)

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

Specialization Electives (12 cr.)

All majors in Game Design must take at least one course from each of the following Specialization areas.

A. Game Design (Choose One)

GAME 3005 - Mobile Game Design 3 cr.
GAME 3050 - Serious Games 3 cr.
COMM 3304 - Interactive Media Project Design 3 cr.
GAME 3510 - Contemporary Issues in Games 3 cr.

B. Game Art (Choose One)

ART 2200 - Life Drawing 3 cr.
ART 3300 - History of Architecture 3 cr.
ART 3500 - History of Modern Architecture 3 cr.
GAME 3070 - 3D Modeling I 3 cr.
GAME 3080 - 3D Animation I 3 cr.

C. Game Programming (Choose One)

CSC 1900 - Discrete Mathematics 3 cr.
CSC 2560 - Systems Programming 3 cr.
CSC 3560 - Mobile Application Development 3 cr.
CSC 3650 - Game Programming 3 cr.
PHIL 1100 - Logic 3 cr.

D. Game Writing (Choose One)

COMM 3470 - Document Design 3 cr.
ENGL 3510 - Fiction Writing 3 cr.
GAME 3010 - Game Narrative Design 3 cr.
THEA 3035 - Playwrighting 3 cr.

Electives (12 cr.)

In consultation with their advisor, students select four courses from the Specialization Electives above, from the list below, or from GAME, COMM, TETA, or THEA course.

ART 1600 - Design 3 cr.
ART 1650 - Three-Dimensional Design 3 cr.
ART 2150 - The Art of Puppetry 3cr.
ART 2250 - Intermediate Drawing 3 cr.
CSC 3200 - Programming Languages 3 cr.
CSC 3500 - Object Oriented Programming 3 cr.
CSC 4210 - Computer Graphics Programming 3 cr.
MUSC 1400 - Introduction to Music Technology 3 cr.
MUSC 3760 - Film Scoring 3 cr.

Professional Capstone Requirement (12 cr.) (Choose One)

The professional capstone requirement may be fulfilled by Game Studio or Internship; both are full-time, semester-long pre-professional experiences. Qualification for Game Studio / Internship includes the development and defense of a professional portfolio before a faculty committee, so students should begin early in their academic careers to prepare and maintain a strong portfolio of their work.