Use the GMU catalog as the definitive reference for program requirements!

Degree Requirements

The BS ACS Game Design concentration can be successfully completed within the normal 120 semester hour degree at GMU. In addition to General Education (GE) requirements including humanities, and social science, the BS ACS Game Design concentration requires foundation, core, and elective courses as described here. Course requirements provide students with expertise in programming, systems, software engineering, formal methods and analysis of algorithms. At least 45 semester hours of the degree requirements must be at the 300 level or above.

lecturing

ACS Foundation Courses: CS 101, 105, 112, 211; MATH 113, 114, 125, 203.

ACS Core: ECE 301, CS 262, 310, 321, 330, 367, 465, 483.

One CS course numbered above 400.

All BS ACS majors must complete at least 36 additional credits to meet the course requirements of Computer Game Design concentration. These credits will include either STAT 344 (Statistics and Probability) or a course in Statistics relevant to Computer Game Design.

Computer Game Design Concentration

Foundation: CS 225, 325, 351; AVT 104; STAT 344

Core: CS 425, 426, 451; AVT 382, 383

One approved electives related to Game Design

Natural Science requirement will include PHYS 160/161 and one additional lab science.

Sample Schedule

Below is one example of how the ACS in Computer Game Design major may be achieved within eight semesters.

FIRST SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

CS 101 Preview of Computer Science (2)
CS 112 Introduction to Programming (4)
MATH 113 Analytical Geometry & Calculus (4)
ENGH 101 Composition (3)
COMM 100 Public Speaking (3)

SECOND SEMESTER (15 CREDITS)

CS 211 Object-Oriented Programming (3)
MATH 114 Analytical Geometry & Calculus II (4)
MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (3)
CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society (1)
AVT 104 Studio Fundamentals I (4)

THIRD SEMESTER (16 CREDITS)

CS 225 Culture of Games (3)
CS 262 Low-Level Programming (1)
CS 310 Data Structures (3)
ECE 301 Digital Electronics (3)
MATH 203 Linear Algebra (3)
Social and behavioral science Elective (3)

FOURTH SEMESTER (15 CREDITS)

CS 325 Introduction to Game Design (3)
CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming (3)
CS 351 Visual Computing (3)
Western Civilization course (3)
Literature Elective (3)

FIFTH SEMESTER (14 CREDITS)

PHYS160/161 University Physics I + Lab (4)
AVT 382 2D Experimental Animation (4)
CS 321 Software Requirements & Design Modeling (3)
CS 330 Formal Methods and Models (3)

SIXTH SEMESTER (14 CREDITS)

CS 451 Computer Graphics (3)
Lab science (4)
AVT 383 3D Experimental Animation (4)
ENGL 302 Advanced Composition (3)

SEVENTH SEMESTER (15 CREDITS)

CS 425 Game Programming I (3)
CS 465 Computer Systems Architecture (3)
Global Understanding Elective (3)
Elective (3)
STAT 344 Prob and Sts for Engineers and Scientists I (3)

EIGHTH SEMESTER (15 CREDITS)

CS 483 Analysis of Algorithms (3)
CS 426 Game Programming II (3)
CS Senior Elective (3)
Game Elective (3)
CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law (3)

A Closer Look at Game Design Specific Courses

The following courses have been created specifically for this program and tailor the standard computer science degree for game programming.

CS 225 Culture and Theory of Games

Explores the theory, history, culture, and lore of games with particular emphasis on the varieties of computer game environments.

CS 325 Computer Game Design

Game design, in various electronic entertainment technologies, involves a diverse set of skills and backgrounds from narrative and art to computer programming. This course surveys the technical aspects of the field, with an emphasis on programming.

CS 425 Game Programming I

An introduction to the technologies and techniques used in modern computer games. Teams will learn the facets of a complete design, using sophisticated tools. The course will involve a project in which a game is prototyped; this prototype and initial design will serve as the starting point for the project in CS426.

CS 426 Game Programming II

This project-oriented course is a continuation of CS 425 with an emphasis on the implementation of a complete game.