Computer Game Design & Development

Programs Offered

The design and development of computer games is a rapidly growing academic area. It is highly interdisciplinary and is having a major impact on all levels of education. The gaming industry requires specialists with a variety of backgrounds. Game companies need artists, mathematicians and computer scientists, but also writers for story building, psychologists for creating a fun factor in games, and business-savvy professionals, who ensure financial soundness of the endeavors. In addition, the use of games by a growing part of the population has serious societal and legal implications that need to be studied. This computer gaming minor is a blend of several disciplines, including a wide range of academic areas, such as Art, Business, Mathematics, Psychology and Computer Science. This minor is meant to meet the need of an interdisciplinary curriculum that prepares students with a working knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the gaming industry. As such it is consistent with the interdisciplinary mission of CI.

Careers

This interdisciplinary minor will provide students with the skills needed for a variety of careers in the field of Computer Game Design and Development. Students in this minor will receive a foundation in artistic, mathematical, psychological and computer programming tools and techniques relevant to the design and development of computer games as well as in business methodologies applicable to Computer Gaming. Legal and societal implications of computer games will also be studied.

Faculty

Peter Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science Chair, Computer Science Program
Academic Advisor
Bell Tower West, Room 2265
(805) 437-8882
peter.smith@csuci.edu

Andrzej A. J. Bieszczad, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science
Director of the Masters Program
Bell Tower West, Room 2285
(805) 437-2773
aj.bieszczad@csuci.edu

Ivona Grzegorczyk, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics Chair, Mathematics Program
Academic Advisor for Mathematics and Single Subject Credential in Mathematics
Bell Tower West, Room 2275
(805) 437-8868
ivona.grze@csuci.edu

Liz King, MFA, Associate Professor of Art
Bell Tower West, Room 1215
(805) 437-8556
liz.king@csuci.edu

William J. Wolfe, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science
Bell Tower West, Room 2225
(805) 437-8985
william.wolfe@csuci.edu

Contact Information

http://compsci.csuci.edu

Programs

Minor(s)

Computer Game Design & Development Minor