Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology BS

Simulation and game programmers are software developers who design, plan, and write video game or interactive simulation software. The specific job of the programmers is to turn ideas, art, sound, animation, and music into a game/simulation that actually works.

The simulation and gaming engineering technology program is designed for the student who wishes to work as a programmer/developer/analyst with expertise in real-time 3D graphics, simulation, multimedia, and visualization. The program is structured as a broad-based degree, giving students a primary mixture of computer science, computer programming, and 2D/3D graphics programming with additional classes in arts, design, math, physics, and other support classes.

Graduates of this degree program are able to work as game/simulation programmers, designers, and architects. The breadth of the graduates’ education allows them to also understand, appreciate, and participate in the entire game/simulation production process, but from a programmer’s perspective. Additionally, the strong computer science, computer engineering, and programming component of the degree allows graduates to obtain careers in many non-game related fields of computing.

Modern video games and simulations require that a broad range of skills and subjects come together in a coherent fashion. Skilled programmers, artists, and designers must work together, each understanding the other, to bring a project from concept to fruition. To create an educational experience that closely matches this real-world development environment, the students in the simulation and gaming engineering technology degree work closely with students in the simulation and gaming development arts program. The team-based open-ended project environment of the intertwined degrees allows graduates to become comfortable in a work setting with a diverse work force of other programmers, designers, and game artists.

Math Placement

	Fall Term	Spring Term
	ETGG 1801 Game Programming Foundations 1	ETGG 1802 Game Programming Foundations 2
	MATH 1300 Pre-Calculus	ETGG 1803 Concepts in 3D Graphics
	ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1102 Discourse and Composition	ETGG 1101 Structured Programming
	ARTS1101 2-Dimensional Foundations	ARTS 1105 Digital Foundations
	GEP Fine Arts	ENGL 1105 Composition and Argumentation

Students placing below MATH 1300 based on either their ACT or SAT Math Sub-score or Compass Placement tests do not meet the co-requisite to enroll in ETGG1801. Should this be your situation, below is a schedule of courses that can apply to the BS in Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology as fulfilling general education program (GEP) academic requirements or technical elective requirements and bring you to the MATH 1300 level. This schedule prepares you to begin the BS in Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology program the fall term of your second year at SSU.

	Fall Term	Spring Term
	ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1102 Discourse and Composition	ENGL 1105 Composition and Argumentation
	MATH 1020 Intermediate Algebra	MATH 1300 Pre-Calculus
	GEP Fine Arts	GEP Social Science
	ETCO 1120 Intro to STEM Programming	ETCO 1101 Structured Programming
	or ETCO 1115 Computer Programming	or ETCO 1115 Computer Programming

If an entering student’s math placements is below MATH 1300, remediation to get to this level is below the content of this program, and does not count as academic credit toward earning the degree.

Computer Requirement

All students in the B.S. in Computer Engineering Technology, B.S. in Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology, and A.A.S. in Electromechanical Engineering Technology degree programs are required to purchase a laptop computer for use in class.

Many vendors offer academic discounts to university students. See the respective vendors’ websites for more information on how to take advantage of these discounts.

Windows/Linux

CPU: Almost any relatively recent CPU will be adequate (where “recent” means “no more than two years old).
Recommended: Intel Core i3, i5, i7 families, or any currently shipping AMD CPU with the exception of AMD Sempron or AMD Turion K8-E.
Memory (RAM): Minimum of 2GB. Recommended: 4GB.
Hard Drive: At least 250GB recommended.
Video: For CET students, either integrated (Intel) or discrete (nVidia or AMD/ATI) will suffice. For Digital Simulation and Gaming students, some classes will require discrete video. A DirectX 11/OpenGL 4 class GPU is recommended.
Networking: The Advanced Technology Center provides 802.11b/g wireless networking. For maximum flexibility, the availability of wired (Ethernet) networking is recommended.

Apple

For Computer Engineering Technology students, any currently shipping or recent Macbook Air or Macbook Pro will suffice.

Careers available to graduates of the simulation and gaming engineering technology program include:

Game/simulation programmer
Game/simulation technical lead/technical director
Game/simulation engine developer
Graphics programmer
Medical/scientific/military simulation programmer
Multimedia developer
Applications programmer/analyst
Software engineer
Simulation research and development engineer

Degree Requirements:

General Education Program	24 Hours
The General Education Program is composed of 34 credit hours of which 10 hours may be satisfied by the following mathematics and science requirements in the simulation and gaming engineering technology curriculum: MATH 1300 and natural science courses PHYS 2211 and 2212. Further information about the GEP is listed in the General Education Program or can be obtained from the department chairperson’s office.
Mathematics Courses	16 Hours
Natural Science Courses	8 Hours
Computer Eng. Tech. Courses	27 Hours
Simulation and Gaming Engineering	36 Hours
Technology Courses
Arts and Design Courses	9 Hours
Technical Electives	6 Hours

Total Hours Required	126 Hours

Mathematics Courses (16 Hours)

Natural Science Courses (8 Hours)

Arts and Design Courses (9 Hours)

Computer Engineering Technology Courses (27 Hours)

Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology Courses (36 Hours)

Technical Electives (6 Hours)

Examples of technical electives are CADD, 3D modeling, 3D animation, database systems, calculus 3, ordinary differential equations, numerical analysis, and technical management. Technical electives should be coordinated with the student’s academic advisor.

Students have the option of applying ETEC4301-Design Lab 1 to fulfill the requirements of IDST4490-Senior Seminar. This will require completion of an interdisciplinary integrative paper and oral presentation as required for IDST4490-Senior Seminar. This credit will be awarded via the Petition for Course Substitution form available at the Registrar’s office and approved by the course instructor and department chair, engineering technologies.