B.F.A. in Digital Game Design and Development

Courses

ART 1 Introduction to Visual Arts 

This course covers world art from the beginnings of human culture to today. The aim is to explore why art is the product not only of its creator, but also of the historical, political, economic, and social forces that shaped the artist. Students are introduced to the language and concepts of visual analysis and historical contextualization, with the goal of increasing their understanding of world cultures and the role of artistic representation in society. This course fulfills the Creativity, Media, and the Arts thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00 

ART 5 Introduction to Basic Drawing

This course is the beginning investigation into the practice and skill of drawing as an expressive, descriptive art medium. Through historic examples and the use of a variety of materials and techniques, the student learns the past, present and future uses of drawing. This course fulfills the Creativity, Media, and the Arts thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00 

ART 11 Life Drawing I 

This course is an introduction to the study of the human figure as an art subject. Various techniques and drawing media are explored in developing compositional and drawing skills of the individual student.
Credits: 3.00 

ART 12 Life Drawing II

This course is a continuation of the study of the human figure as an art subject. Advanced techniques are explored in developing compositional and drawing skills of the individual student.
Credits: 3.00 

BDST 4 Digital Audio Production 

This course is designed to familiarize the student with intermediate-level theory and practice of digital audio production. Continues instruction in the various techniques for capturing and engineering sound. it offers training in the tools and techniques of producing audio and provides the foundation for sound production/reproduction essential to dealing with audio in environments such as radio, television, film ,multimedia, broadcast journalism and web production.Prepares the student for advanced work in audio production.
Credits: 3.00 

BDST 11 Production Essentials: Audio 

This course introduces the student to the basics of digital audio production. Students complete studio assignments in order to master the basics of audio production,including an introduction to principles of sound, audio formats, analog vs. digital recording, editing,use of various microphone types.Remote equipment use, studio production and production for the web will also be introduced.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 7 Digital Illustration 1 

This introductory course will introduce the student to Digital Illustration using Adobe Illustrator. Through a series of computer demonstrations students will be introduced to a wide range of tools and techniques commonly used in illustration. The primary focus of the course is to first provide the student with a fundamental technical overview of how to use Illustrator. Students will then will apply this knowledge to create a wide variety of graphic design and illustration projects which include logos, postage stamps, package design, and label design. Emphasis will be placed on developing technique, style, and accuracy.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 8 Digital Illustration 2 

This advanced digital illustration course introduces student to more sophisticated techniques using Adobe Illustrator. This course will reinforce and encourage use of basic design principles that students have been previously exposed to. As they continue to enhance their technical and conceptual illustration skills, students are expected to create a wide variety of complex design projects that include event logos, technical renderings, and editorial illustrations. Emphasis will be on developing technique, style, and accuracy. Students will also be introduced to digital drawing tablets.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 9 Digital Typography 

This advanced typography course provides the student with a comprehensive understanding of the usage, design, and aesthetics of type through a series of projects which incorporate both traditional techniques and digital creation. These projects include creating a set of typographic dingbats/icons, an all type poster design, and a distressed type treatment. The objective of this course is to provide the student with a technical and aesthetic foundation for creating successful typographic designs. The history of typography and traditional typographic techniques will also be covered. The course will incorporate different software packages depending on the project requirements. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop will be the predominant software applications used to create a range of typographic treatments. Students will also learn how to properly work with display type as they create typographic designs in Indesign.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 11 Interaction Design 1 

This course is an introduction to Interaction Design. Course instruction will focus on using Adobe XD and Adobe Creative Suite to design mobile app prototype wireframes. Students will gain knowledge of all forms of interaction requirements including information, education, promotion and entertainment arenas. Emphasis will be on developing an understanding of various interactive techniques for user experience. Students will learn how to create artwork components necessary to complete an interaction design concept to wireframes containing audio, video animation, and basic scripting techniques.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 14 Interaction Design 2 

This course addresses advanced Interaction Design and User Interface and Experience. Course instruction will focus on using Adobe XD and Adobe Creative Suite to design mobile app prototypes. Students will gain knowledge of all forms of interactive publications and presentations dealing with the areas of information, education, promotion and entertainment arenas. Emphasis will be on developing an understanding of various interactive techniques and protocol. Students will compose a variety of sample interactive presentations. Students will learn how to create artwork and all the components necessary to complete an interactive presentation, via audio, video animation and scripting techniques.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 16 Digital Imaging 

This course introduces the student to Adobe Photoshop for creating graphic designs and digital imagery. Students learn how to use Adobe Photoshop as a graphic design tool for various applications. Students also learn image editing and manipulation techniques. The course also covers industry standards on resolution and colors models. Emphasis is placed on technical proficiency and creative expression.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 18 Digital Imaging Synthesis 

This course explores advanced aesthetic and technical concepts in Digital imaging using Adobe Photoshop. Creation and assemblage of source materials, complex montage making and development of a personal style are emphasized. Advanced photo retouching and typography special effects are also covered.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 20 3-D Modeling & Animation 1 

This course is intended for advanced students who wish to create three-dimensional moving objects utilizing modeling and animation script techniques. Using a three-dimensional modeling/animation program, students build objects, view the model from any angle and then render it with a palette of 16 million colors. Students will gain a basic proficiency in the industry standard software, Autodesk Maya 3D. Emphasis will be placed on principles of 3D design techniques for animation and illustration. Maya¿s relationship to peripheral software such as Photoshop CC and Adobe After Effects CC will also be explored. This course will conclude with an introduction to 3D character development and animation for both the movie and gaming environments.
Credits: 3.00 

CGPH 21  3-D Modeling & Animation 2 

This course explores advanced techniques in three-dimensional modeling and animation with the current version of Maya. Emphasis will be placed on character development, modeling, and animation scripting within the three-dimensional environment.
Credits: 3.00 

CIN 25 Animation and Computer Graphics Workshop 

This is a basic course in animation and computer graphics techniques.
Credits: 3.00 

CIN 26  Intermediate Animation and Computer Graphics Workshop 

CIN 27  Advanced Animation and Computer Graphics Workshop 

CMA 10 Media, Law and Ethics 

This course examines the legal and ethical responsibilities of media professionals in broadcasting, journalism, public relations, and other fields. Students are introduced to the legal framework that supports freedom of speech and freedom of the press and examine the current laws of libel, invasion of privacy, copyright and newsgathering, as well as FCC and other telecommunications regulations. Students also examine ethical codes that guide media professionals and study conflicts that arise when legal and ethical principles conflict with real-world dilemmas. Recommended to be taken in sophomore year for all Department of Communications and Film majors. This course fulfills the Ethics, Self, and Society thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00 

CS 101

CS 106

CS 111

CS 116

CS 127

CS 133

CS 231

CS 237

CS 245

CS 254

CS 257

CS 263

CS 267

CS 271

DGD 1 Introduction to Game Design 

This is an intense hands-on course in which students design a new game every two weeks. Because of its focus on quick iteration, these games are non-digital. Students create card games, board games, and physical games. This class has a heavy focus on playtesting. Students will play each other's games and give one another constructive feedback. In this course students are expected to learn the basic concepts behind game design through lectures, game analysis, and game creation.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 2 Games Through History 

This course is an introduction to the history of games, play, and players. Starting with the premise that video games are best viewed as a subset of humankind's much longer history of games, we will look through the past several thousand years, examining not only games, but also the people who study, create, and play them. Most importantly, we will take time to critically play the games we discuss, enabling students to gain a critical understanding and appreciation of canonical games.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 3 Game Studies 

This is the most purely academic of the Core Digital Game Design and Development classes. This course asks students to read and write about games from an interested academic perspective. Throughout the semester, students will read works ranging from Dutch historian Johan Huizinga's Homo Ludens, an early 20th century sociological study of the role of play among humans, to Mary Flannagan's Critical Play, a much more modern look at games and their influence on modern art. While the core of the class is based on weekly readings and student responses, students will write major papers during the semester. During class time students will discuss the readings and make presentations based on their papers. Examples from both historical games and modern games will be used in class discussions.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 4 Digital Game Development 1 

Digital Game Development 1 is the first hands-on video game development class in the Digital Game Design and Development Program. This course focuses on the basic programming skills a student needs to start developing games on their own. As this is an introductory class, students are not expected to have any previous programming knowledge. Students will learn core programming concepts such as variables, if statements, for loops, arrays, functions, and object-oriented programming. They will also learn more game-specific concepts such as game states and collision detection. This course is taught in Processing, which is a creative coding language built on top of Java.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 5 Digital Game Development 2 

Digital Game Development 2 teaches students how to create games using an existing engine. Since students are required to have completed DGD 4 before taking this course, it is assumed that they already have a good understanding of basic programming principles. This course teaches students how to create games using the Unity game engine. As with many courses in this program, the focus is on hands-on game creation.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 6 Digital Game Development 3 

Digital Game Development 3 is an advanced course that allows students to dive deeper into game development. As the final course in a series of three classes, students should enter with strong knowledge of game development practices. In the first half of the semester students learn more advanced game development skills. During the second half, they are tasked with creating two multi-week group projects.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 20 Level Design for Games 

Great games require more than carefully designed systems. The minute-to-minute experience of playing a game is defined by its levels. Creating interesting and memorable levels is its own skill and is one that good game developers foster early. In this course, students will learn how to construct levels and maps for existing games that challenge and intrigue the player across a variety of genres.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 21 Introduction to Visual Design for Games 

This course provides students with an introduction to visual design for games. The course will teach students how to create the visual assets that not only look good by themselves, but also truly stand out within the context of a videogame world. Students in this course will learn a wide variety of visual design skills as they relate to game development. They will also learn how to create worlds, settings, and props for games. They will learn UI design for games, include menu design and HUD design. They will also learn how to successfully use visuals to enhance games with techniques like particle effects and interesting lighting.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 22 Audio Design for Games 

Games are multimedia entities and audio is an integral part of the experience. Creating compelling audio for games requires sound designers who know how to deal with interaction as well as the technical requirements of a given game system or platform. In this course, students will learn how to create dynamic audio for games that enhance the play experience and define the mood they intend to create.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 90 Senior Game Prototyping 

This course helps students prepare for their senior project in the spring semester. This class provides guided ideation and prototyping as students determine what their senior project will be and how to best approach making it a reality in a limited amount of time.
Credits: 3.00 

DGD 91 Senior Game Project 

The entire Digital Game Design and Development program leads to the Senior Game Project. This class requires students to bring together everything they have learned over the course of the program to create a major final project. The Senior Game Project allows students to work as individuals or in groups of any size. Students do not need permission from the instructor to pursue a particular project. The primary requirement is that, by the end of the semester, each student has created a complete, polished, and successful game.
Credits: 3.00 

MUS 14A Introduction to Music Technology 

This course introduces students to digital music production, digital audio editing, sequencing and music notation at the computer.
Credits: 3.00 

MUS 14B Sequencing and Production 

This course is a continuation of MUS 14A centering on MIDI sequencing and includes explanations and demonstrations of recording and arranging techniques for creating dynamic musical sequences in any musical style.
Credits: 3.00 

MUS 14C Music Notation Software 

This course is a continuation of MUS 14A in which advanced features of notation software are studied including score input options, editing tools, layouts, and part extraction.
Credits: 3.00