Oct 05, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Digital Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology BS


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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 1250  Trigonometry ETGG 1803  Concepts in 3D Graphics
  ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1102  Discourse and Composition ENGL 1105 Comp and Argumentation
  ARTS1101  2-Dimensional Foundations ARTS 1105  Digital Foundations
  GEP GEP
  UNIV 1100 First Year Experience Program  


Students who don’t meet the requirements for MATH1250 should work with the Engineering Technology department and/or their academic advisor to develop an alternate schedule.

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.  Any operating system, vendor, and graphics card are acceptable.  If the laptop is the student’s only computer (i.e. they don’t have a desktop computer at home), a higher-end laptop is preferable.  Basically, if you can play modern games on your computer, you should be good for 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.

Careers

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 37 Hours

The General Education Program is composed of 41 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 1250 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 14 Hours
Natural Science Courses 8 Hours
Computer Eng. Tech. Courses 27 Hours
Simulation and Gaming Engineering 33 Hours

Technology Courses

 
Arts and Design Courses 9 Hours
   
Total Hours Required 128 Hours

Natural Science Courses (8 Hours)


Simulation and Gaming Engineering Technology Courses (33 Hours)


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