Program Coordinator: Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D.
The bachelor's degree program in Computer Science with a game design and development concentration is nationally accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (CAC/ABET). Its objectives are to inform, challenge, and train our diverse student body for a constantly changing world of technology. This program develops a solid body of knowledge and understanding of computer hardware, software, and theory, as defined by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) curriculum guidelines. The concentration in game design and development builds upon the core and the required major courses to create enterprise-level game products.
Students enrolled in this concentration will enter the workforce as qualified game designers and game developers.
At the time of graduation, every student should have achieved the following program outcomes:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
The program consists of a required core that exposes students to a wide range of computing and technology topics, including the study of databases, hardware, networks, programming, software design, and security. Advanced courses and the senior design project will focus on game design and development.
Typical initial job titles include applications developer, software engineer, entrepreneur, game designer or game developer, 3D animation and modeller, game producer, game programmer, game user researcher, serious game and simulation designer/ developer.
Internship Requirement
An internship enriches the academic experience of the student, providing exposure to a working computing environment and the interpersonal relationships of a workplace. Each internship is a partnership between the student and an employer or organization, with oversight by the academic advisor. Students must complete 60 credits toward the bachelor's degree before an internship is attempted. To complete the internship, a student must perform at least 200 hours of relevant work, submit an essay about the experience, and submit evaluations completed by both the student and the work supervisor. The internship requirement may be satisfied through employment, community service, or some other activity that is approved by the student's advisor.
UPE Honor Society
The university has a chapter of the national honor society for computer science, Upsilon Pi Epsilon. Outstanding juniors and seniors are invited by the chapter to join this organization and participate in its service projects.
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