Game Development (CSD4)  Diploma


Game Development is the academic field focused on the creation of electronic games. The field includes interactive graphics/animation programming, fundamental computer science, game design, studio art, electronic art, narrative storytelling, and critical game studies.

Curriculum Outline (62 hours)
Basic Skills (9 Credits) 9
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions decimals percents ratios and proportions measurement and conversion formula manipulation technical applications and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior thinking and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science the nervous and sensory systems learning and memory motivation and emotion intelligence lifespan development personality psychological disorders and their treatment stress and health and social relations.

3
Occupational Courses (41 Credits) 29
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts terminology and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology the Windows environment Internet and email word processing software spreadsheet software database software and presentation software.

3
CIST 1001

Provides an overview of information systems computers and technology. Topics include: Information Systems and Technology Terminology Computer History Data Representation Data Storage Concepts Fundamentals of Information Processing Fundamentals of Information Security Information Technology Ethics Fundamentals of Hardware Operation Fundamentals of Networking Fundamentals of the Internet Fundamentals of Software Design Concepts Fundamentals of Software (System and Application) System Development Methodology Computer Number Systems conversion (Binary and Hexadecimal) Mobile computing.

4
CIST 1305

An introductory course that provides problem solving and programming concepts for those that develop user applications. An emphasis is placed on developing logic troubleshooting and using tools to develop solutions. Topics include: problem solving and programming concepts structured programming the four logic structures file processing concepts and arrays.

3
CIST 2740
Prerequisites: CIST 1001, CIST 1305

Introduction to video games genres, gaming evolution, gaming attributes, market environment, competition analysis, design document development, asset pipeline (development of game components), game mechanics (rules), technology architecture, platforms, story composition, interactive dialogue, statistical game balancing, project planning and prioritization for development schedules, creation of non-electronic rapid prototypes with emphasis on the student's first exposure to game creation and mechanics.

4
CIST 2741
Prerequisite: CIST 2740

Advanced Game Design incorporates all of the basic game design elements into a continuing production process, taking an idea from inception through completion in a timely and cost effective fashion. Each student will be expected to fulfill the duties of each member of a game design team, learning every aspect of the process in order to be able to substitute wherever and whenever necessary. It is suggested that the quality and completeness of a single, class-wide project have some universal impact on the grades of each student, further enforcing the notion that every team member not only participates in the project, but that the project itself affects in the success of each team member. Lab will use industry tools to rapidly prototype ideas into practical game mechanics and provide the foundation for future game projects.

3
Programming Elective (Choose ONE) 12
CIST 2311
Prerequisite: CIST 1305

Visual Basic I introduces event-driven programming. Common elements of Windows applications will be discussed created and manipulated using Microsofts Visual Studio development environment. Topics include numeric data types and variables decision making structures arrays validating input with strings and functions repetition and multiple forms test files lists and common dialog controls.

4
CIST 2341
Prerequisite: CIST 1305

This course is designed to teach the basic concepts and methods of objected-oriented design and C#.Net programming. Use practical problems to illustrate C#.Net application building techniques and concepts. Develop an understanding of C#.Net vocabulary. Create an understanding of where C#.Net fits in the application development landscape. Create an understanding of the C#.Net Development Environment Visual Studio and how to develop debug and run C#.Net applications using the Visual Studio. Continue to develop student*s programming logic skills. Topics include: C#.NET Language History C#.NET Variable Definitions C#.NET Control Structures C#.NET Functions C#.NET Classes C#.NET Objects and C#.NET Graphics.

4
CIST 2371
Prerequisite: CIST 1305

This course is designed to teach the basic concepts and methods of objected-oriented design and Java programming. Use practical problems to illustrate Java application building techniques and concepts. Develop an understanding of Java vocabulary. Create an understanding of where Java fits in the application development landscape. Create an understanding of the Java Development Kit and how to develop debug and run Java applications using the JDK. Continue to develop student*s programming logic skills. Topics include: JAVA Language History JAVA Variable Definitions JAVA Control Structures JAVA Methods JAVA Classes JAVA Objects and JAVA Graphics.

4
Specialization: 24
3D Animation 24
DMPT 1000

Introduces students to the fundamentals of design concepts, including design, composition and layout, color theory and typography.

4
DMPT 2400

An introduction to 3D Animation software and component visualization. Students will be introduced to software and basic techniques to begin creating models and material for animation projects. Students will also be introduced to basic lighting and animation concepts so that they will be able to develop a complete animation using 3D software at the end of this course.

4
DMPT 2405
Prerequisite: DMPT 2400

This course covers the fundamentals of computer geometry by creating the basic elements that make computer models: surfaces, NURBS, polygon, mesh and subdivisions. Students will also be introduced to production techniques that includes preparing reference images fo modeling aid, rendering and output of models.

4
DMPT 2410
Prerequisite: DMPT 2400

Introduces the students to concepts for creating textures and lighting for 3D computer graphics. Students will explore in-depth th various ways to create and apply texture and lighting to the 3D models.

4
DMPT 2415
Prerequisite: DMPT 2405

This course introduces fundamental rigging techniques used to prepare a modeled character for animation. The course will focus on the essential tools and techniques, used for body and facial character rigging, skinning, skin weighting, and blend shapes.

4
DMPT 2420
Prerequisite: DMPT 2415

This course will focus on tying together all the various stages of production, including concept development, materials creation, rigging and animation, and post-producton.

4
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