Program Overview
The Gaming and Interactive Media (GAIM) program at Felician University combines computer science and humanities to educate students in the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in video game and interactive media design. The program emphasizes both technical skills and critical thinking, preparing graduates to analyze, design, and develop games and interactive media in a variety of forms and styles. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to integrate their knowledge and experience into a successful career in the gaming and interactive media industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Gaming and Interactive Media (GAIM) Program at Felician University educates students in the necessary skills, knowledge, as well as aesthetic and critical sensibilities, to effectively communicate ideas through video games and related interactive media. Our interdisciplinary approach offers a variety of courses in computer science and the humanities. The objective of the GAIM Program is to emphasize an understanding of the field, both as an academic discipline as well as a profession, teaching hard science skills in concert with critical thought and creative forms of expression. Courses include Scripting Languages, Game Development, Animation, Screenwriting, Videomaking, New Media History, and more. Through this rigorous and dynamic curriculum, graduates of the GAIM Program will have an understanding of aesthetic and critical issues in the design of computer graphics and interactive media, effectively use appropriate technology tools, and have an appreciation for the ethics of the creative process. Graduates will also be able to implement a variety of creative skills and techniques, as well as produce games and interactive media in a range of forms and styles. In terms of specifically technical skills, graduates will be able to analyze gaming and interactive media requirements, design and develop different games by using the best principles of the game design process, such as graphics attributes, geometric transformation, 2-Dimensional and 3- Dimensional viewing, lighting, shading, texture, and animation. Through survey knowledge of the field, they will be able to critique existing and new works, while also being able to recognize trends and understand the impact of gaming and interactive media on individuals and society. Ultimately, GAIM graduates will be able to integrate and synthesize their skills, techniques, knowledge, and experience into a powerful career strategy.
Outline:
Required Courses:
General Education Curricular Commons (GECC – 49 Credits) Theme Areas
I. Faith and Reason (3 credits @ 100-200 level) RELS-105: Exploring Contemporary Moral Issues 3 Credits I. Faith and Reason (3 credits @ 300-400 level) RELS-301: Comparative World Religions 3 Credits II. Ethics, Values, and Truth (3 credits) PHIL-250: Making Moral Decisions 3 Credits III. Communication & Expression (3 credits) ENG-101: College Writing and Research I – Required 3 Credits II. Ethics, Values, and Truth (3 credits) PHIL-250: Making Moral Decisions 3 Credits III. Communication & Expression (3 credits) ENG-101: College Writing and Research I – Required 3 Credits III. Communication & Expression (3 credits) ART-101: Basic Drawing 3 Credits IV. Critical & Analytical Thinking (3 credits) PHIL-100: The Art and Practice of Critical Thinking 3 Credits V. Information Literacy (1 credit) LS-100: The Architecture of Information – Required (Taken in tandem with ENG-102) 1 Credits V. Information Literacy (3 credits) ENG-102: College Writing and Research II – Required 3 Credits VI. Technological Acumen CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science 3 Credits VII. Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning MATH-160: College Algebra 4 Credits VII. Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning (Lab Science – 4 credits) PHYS-103: General Physics I w/Lab 4 Credits VIII. Global Consciousness (6 credits) Choose From Area Options 3 Credits Choose From Area Options 3 Credits
Liberal Arts Concentration 9 Credits
Liberal Arts – MATH-161: Pre-Calculus 4 Credits Liberal Arts – PHIL-204: Philosophy of Technology – Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility 3 Credits Liberal Arts – Free Elective 3 Credits FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience I FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience II 3 Credits
Computer Science Required Courses (24 Credits)
CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language and Applications 3 Credits CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science (Note: included in GECC) 3 Credits CS-205: Web Development and Scripting Languages 3 Credits CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development 3 Credits CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development 3 Credits CS-391: Game Development I 3 Credits CS-392: Game Development II 3 3 Credits CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics 3 Credits CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics 3 Credits
Art Required Courses (15 Credits)
ART-101: Basic Drawing (Note: included in GECC) 3 Credits ART-103: Form, Space, and Time 3 Credits ART-104: Introduction to Computer Graphics 3 Credits ART-265: Animation 3 Credits ART-274: Color & Digital Photography 3 3 Credits ART-364: New Media History 3 Credits
Communications Required Courses (9 Credits)
COMM-120: Film Analysis 3 Credits COMM-230: Screenwriting I 3 Credits COMM-240: Videomaking I 3 Credits COMM-241: Videomaking II (Optional) 3 Credits ART-274: Color & Digital Photography 3 Credits ART-364: New Media History 3 Credits
Liberal Arts Concentration 9 Credits
Liberal Arts – MATH-161: Pre-Calculus 4 Credits Liberal Arts – PHIL-204: Philosophy of Technology – Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility 3 Credits Liberal Arts – Free Elective 3 Credits FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience I FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience II 3 Credits
Computer Science Required Courses (24 Credits)
CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language and Applications 3 Credits CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science (Note: included in GECC) 3 Credits CS-205: Web Development and Scripting Languages 3 Credits CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development 3 Credits CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development 3 Credits CS-391: Game Development I 3 Credits CS-392: Game Development II 3 3 Credits CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics 3 Credits CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics 3 Credits
Four-Year Plan
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GAMING & INTERACTIVE MEDIA (GAIM)
Four Year Suggested Course Sequence
First Year
Fall
Course # & Name ENG-101: College Writing & Research I GECC Area III 3 Credits GECC Area I (100-200 Level) 3 Credits CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science GECC Area VI 3 Credits MATH-160: College Algebra GECC Area VII 4 Credits FYE-100: First Year Experience I 1 Credit
Total Credits (14 Credits)
Spring
Course # & Name ART-101 Basic Drawing GECC Area III 3 Credits CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language & Applications 3 Credits ENG-102: College Writing & Research II GECC Area V 3 Credits LS-100 The Architecture of Information GECC Area V 1 Credits Liberal Arts Elective I – MATH-161: Pre-Calculus 4 Credits FYE-101: First Year Experience II 1 Credit
Total Credits (15 Credits)
Second Year
Fall
Course # & Name ART-103 Form, Space, and Time 3 Credits ART-104: Introduction to Computer Graphics 3 Credits
Total Credits (15 Credits)
Second Year
Fall
Course # & Name ART-103 Form, Space, and Time 3 Credits ART-104: Introduction to Computer Graphics 3 Credits CS-205: Web Development & Scripting Languages 3 Credits PHIL-250: Making Moral Decisions GECC Area II 3 Credits PHIL-100: The Art & Practice of Critical Thinking GECC Area IV 3 Credits
Total Credits (15 Credits)
Spring
Course # & Name ART-274: Color & Digital Photography 3 Credits COMM-120: Film Analysis 3 Credits COMM-230: Screenwriting I 3 Credits CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development 3 Credits Liberal Arts Elective II – PHIL 204: Philosophy of Technology- Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility 3 Credits
Total Credits (15 Credits)
Third Year
Fall
Course # & Name ART-265: Animation 3 Credits CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development 3 Credits CS-391: Game Development I 3 Credits COMM-240: Videomaking I 3 Credits PHYS-103: General Physics I w/lab GECC Area VII 4 Credits
Total Credits (14 Credits)
Spring
Course # & Name ART-364: New Media History 3 Credits CS-392: Game Development II 3 Credits GECC Area I (300-400 Level) 3 Credits COMM-241: Videomaking II (Optional) 3 Credits Global Consciousness Elective I GECC Area VIII 3 Credits
Total Credits (15 Credits)
Fourth Year
Fall
Course # & Name CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics 3 Credits CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics 3 Credits Global Consciousness Elective II GECC Area VIII 3 Credits Liberal Arts Elective III – Free Elective 3 Credits Free Elective or Minor or Internship 3 Credits
Total Credits (15 Credits)
Spring
Course # & Name GAIM-400: Gaming & Interactive Media Project 3 Credits Free Elective or Minor or Internship 3 Credits Free Elective or Minor 3 Credits Free Elective or Minor 3 Credits Free Elective or Minor
Careers:
Careers Graphic Designers: Graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience will especially be needed as demand increases for design projects using interactive media, Web sites, video games, cellular telephones, and other technologies. Software Developers, Applications, and System Software: Employment of computer software developers is projected to increase by 30 percent over the 2016-2026 period, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This occupation will generate about 324,000 new jobs, over the projection decade, one of the largest employment increases of any occupation. Web Developers: Employment of web developers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will be driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices and ecommerce. Multimedia Artists and Animators: Employment of multimedia artists and animators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Projected growth will be due to increased demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television. Art Directors: Employment of art directors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Art directors will continue to be needed to oversee the work of graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and others engaged in artwork or layout design.
