So you are thinking about a degree in video game design or development and you don't know what is entailed in something like that. Well, I have some great information that might be a lot of help to you, The people over at Rasmussen College sent me the curriculum for their Design Degree in Game and Simulation Programming.
This gives you a terrific look at exactly what kinds of classes you would take and what kind of tools and skills you need in the Game Industry. You can learn more about this program by visiting their website: Rasmussen School of Technology and Design
Want to get a fast look at their program and see some interesting career trends with an outlook on salaries in the field? Rasmussen has a nice one page quick overview flyer right here (pdf) You might be surprised by the money :)
"Rasmussen's Game and Simulation Programming Bachelor's degree provides students with an in-depth look into the coding languages, multi-player programming techniques, and testing behind a successful game and simulation programming initiative. Your solid mathematical and programming skills will be utilized to first build game design foundations and then work to achieve new successes in the game and simulation industry."
Game and Simulation Programming Courses
Through the Game and Simulation Programming curriculum, you will....
• Learn how to program and develop code for software used in real world simulation and game development scenarios,
• Enhancing your mathematical and programming knowledge, and
• Further develop your critical thinking and reasoning abilities, information literacy, and communication skills so you can be a true asset to your employer.
Some key courses include:
• Mobile Application Development
Explore the processes, tools, and frameworks utilized to develop applications for current and emerging mobile computing devices from conception to completion.
• Web Application Architecture and Design
Study distributed designs, which allow applications to span more than one machine and require a deliberate and radically different design approach, while delving into such topics as object-oriented programming, enterprise patterns, networking, and client database applications.
• Engineering Virtual Worlds
Create multi-user 2D and 3D virtual worlds and gain an understanding of the underlying technologies, methods for building worlds, and ways in which communities are hosted.
http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology-design/game-design/bachelors/
Game and Simulation Programming Course Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Major and Core Courses (All courses required)
Lower Division
Platform Design and Human-Computer Interaction
Applied Game and Simulation Theory
Graphics Development with DirectX
Computer Information Systems
Fundamentals of Programming
Programming I
Programming II
Data Structures
Game Preproduction
Game Design Theory I
Game Design Theory II
Console Development
Success Strategies
Career Development
Game and Simulation Marketing
College Algebra
Math for Game and Simulation Production I
Math for Game and Simulation Production II
Upper Division
Graphics Development with OpenGL
Game and Simulation Lighting Techniques
Artificial Intelligence
Software Engineering for Game and Simulation Production
Multiplayer Game Programming
3D Content Creation
Practical Game Development
Game Planning and Development Strategies
Mobile Platform Development
Game Assets
Game Audio Assets
Applications of Physics for Game and Simulation Production
Industrial Simulation Project
Video Game Production Project
The Physics of Gaming
General Education Courses
Lower Division
English Composition (Required course)
English Composition
Communication (Select one course)
Introduction to Communication
Speech
Conversational Spanish
Humanities (Select two courses)
Creative Writing
Writing About Literature
Humanities
Introduction to Film
Introduction to Literature
Ethics
Math (Required course)
Introduction to Statistics
Natural Sciences (Select one course)
Structure and Function of the Human Body
Introduction to Human Biology
Introduction to Astronomy
Introduction to Geology
Social Sciences (Select two courses)
Florida History
History of the United States in the World
Current Affairs
Principles of Economics
World Geography
Contemporary U.S. Government
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Upper Division
Communication (Select a minimum of one course)
Advanced Composition
Visual Communication in the Media
Humanities (Select a minimum of one course)
American Literature
Studies in American Literature and Culture
Literature of American Minorities
Contemporary World Literature: 1900 to the Present
Political Thought
Math/Natural Sciences (Select a minimum of one course)
Human Uses of the Environment
Physical Geography
Conservation of Resources
Personal and Family Health
Advanced Statistics
Gender in Math and Science
Social Sciences (Select a minimum of one course)
Visions of America Since 1945
Comparative Politics
Geography of the United States and Canada
American Religious History
Contemporary World Religions
Social Problems
Work and Family
Foundation Courses
Foundations of English I
Foundations of English II
Foundations of Math
http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology-design/game-design/locations/
Note from Will: They also have an online offering for this degree:
Don't live near any of the campuses that offer the Game and Stimulation Programming degree? Not a problem! With Rasmussen's online degree program, you're able to access your virtual classroom, assignments, exams, downloads and course materials anywhere. anytime. Learn more about Rasmussen's online campus: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/online-campus/
Campus Locations
Earn your Game and Stimulation Programming Bachelor's degree from Rasmussen's School of Technology and Design at any of the following Rasmussen campus locations:
Minnesota
Blaine
3629 95th Avenue NE
Blaine, MN 55014
Phone: (763) 795-4720
Toll free phone: (877) 265-3209
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/twin-cities/blaine/
Bloomington
4400 West 78th Street
Bloomington, MN 55345
Phone: (952) 545-2000
Toll free phone: (800) 852-0929
Fax: (952) 545-7038
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/twin-cities/bloomington/
Brooklyn Park
8301 93rd Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Phone: (763) 493-4500
Toll free phone: (877) 495-4500
Fax: (763) 425-4344
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/twin-cities/brooklyn-park/
Eagan
Lake Elmo/Woodbury
8565 Eagle Point Circle
Lake Elmo, MN 55402
Phone: (651) 259-6600
Toll free phone: (888) 813-2358
Fax: (651) 259-6601
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/twin-cities/eagan/
Mankato
130 Saint Andrews Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (507) 625-6556
Toll free phone: (800) 657-6767
Fax: (507) 625-6557
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/mankato/
Moorhead
1250 29th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: (218) 304-6200
Toll free phone: (866) 562-2758
Fax: (218) 304-6201
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/moorhead/
St. Cloud
226 Park Avenue South
St Cloud, MN 56301
Phone: (320) 251-5600
Toll free phone: (800) 852-0460
Fax: (320) 251-3702
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/st-cloud/
Florida
Fort Myers
9160 Forum Corporate Parkway, Suite 100
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Phone: (239) 477-2100
Toll free phone: (866) 344-0229
Fax: (239) 477-2101
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/fort-myers/
Ocala
4755 SW 46th Court
Ocala, FL 34474
Phone: (352) 629-1941
Toll free phone: (877) 593-2783
Fax: (352) 629-0926
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/ocala/
Pasco County
7660 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
Phone: (727) 942-0069
Toll free phone: (877) 593-2783
Fax: (727) 938-5709
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/pasco-county/
Tampa/Brandon
4042 Park Oaks Blvd, Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33610
Phone: (813) 246-7600
Toll free phone: (866) 621-1852
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/florida/tampa-brandon/
Wisconsin
Appleton
3500 E. Destination Drive Suite 100
Appleton, WI 54915
Phone: (920) 750-5900
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/wisconsin/appleton/
Green Bay
904 South Taylor Street, Suite 100
Green Bay, WI 54303
Phone: (920) 593-8400
Toll free phone: (888) 201-9144
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/wisconsin/green-bay/
Wausau
1101 Westwood Drive
Wausau, WI 54401
Phone: (715) 841-8000
Toll free phone: (877) 265-3205
Website: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/wisconsin/wausau/
Online
Don't live near any of the campuses that offer the Game and Stimulation Programming degree? Not a problem! With Rasmussen's online degree program, you're able to access your virtual classroom, assignments, exams, downloads and course materials anywhere. anytime. Learn more about Rasmussen's online campus: http://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/online-campus/
Here is a look at the Rasmussen CollegeSchool of Technology and Design offerings:
Digital Design and Animation
Game and Simulation Programming
Multimedia Technologies
Digital Design and Animation
Web Design
