Program Overview
This 12-credit Game Programming Certificate provides foundational technical knowledge, teamwork experience, and independent learning skills for careers in the video game industry. Students develop expertise in game programming, math, physics, and engine programming techniques through coursework, projects, and research opportunities. The program culminates in an exploration of advanced topics in game development, equipping graduates for success in a rapidly growing and dynamic field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Game Programming Certificate is a 12-credit hour program designed to prepare undergraduate students in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering for careers in the video game industry. It is offered on campus and can be completed in 2-3 semesters. The program aims to provide students with the technical knowledge, teamwork experience, and independent learning skills needed to succeed in the game industry.
Outline:
Program Content:
- Technical Knowledge: The program focuses on providing students with the technical skills needed for game development, including:
- Game Programming I: Introduces real-time, event-driven, and multimedia programming techniques, including graphics, sound, and input programming. Students learn to program a billboard game in 3D with constrained camera motion.
- Game Programming II: Covers game engine programming techniques, including real-time 3D graphics programming, shader techniques, terrain rendering, level of detail, collision detection, particle engines, 3D sound, and character animation.
- Topics in Game Development: Explores advanced topics in game development, such as character animation, procedural content generation, shader techniques, graphics special effects, and relevant computer science areas.
- Teamwork Experience: Students gain experience working in teams using a revision control system.
- Independent Learning: The program emphasizes the ability to work and learn independently.
Course Schedule:
- Programming Math and Physics for Games (3 hrs)
- Game Programming I (3 hrs)
- Game Programming II (3 hrs)
- Game Programming I: Introduces fundamental game programming concepts and techniques.
- Game Programming II: Delves into advanced game engine programming techniques.
- Topics in Game Development: Explores cutting-edge topics and trends in game development.
Careers:
- Potential Career Paths:
- Game Programmer
- Game Developer
- Software Engineer
- Technical Artist
- Opportunities: The program prepares students for careers in the video game industry, which is a rapidly growing and dynamic field.
- Outcomes: Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue successful careers in game development and related fields.
Other:
- Laboratory for Recreational Computing (LARC): Established in 1993, LARC is one of the first game programming programs in Texas. It offers classes in game programming leading to a Certificate in Game Programming alongside a B.S. in Computer Science, a B.S. in Computer Engineering, or a M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering.
- LARC's Recognition: In 2010, LARC was ranked among the top 50 out of 500 game design programs in North America by the Princeton Review and Game Programmer Magazine.
- Alumni Network: LARC has a strong group of alumni in the game industry.
- Research: Students in the Game Development Research Group conduct cutting-edge research in game programming and procedural content generation.
