Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

Game Design, Certificate (1761)


Program Coordinator

Kristina E. Arnold, kristina.arnold@wku.edu, (270) 745-3944

Program Requirements (18 hours)

Game Design is an interdisciplinary certificate including departments from PCAL and OCSE. It is open to all students with an interest in computer game design.
 
Students who successfully complete the certificate will:
  • Design and build a functioning game.
  • Demonstrate practical skills in at least one industry-standard programming language.
  • Explore at least one industry-standard game design engine.
  • Demonstrate the ability to successfully use the elements and principles of design to visually communicate ideas.
  • Demonstrate logical thinking, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving.
This 6-course, 18-hour Game Design Certificate includes one basic Computer Science course (to be selected from CS 146 or CS 170 or CS 180 or CS 239), one required Computer Science course (CS 301), two foundations-level animation courses (ANIM 210 and ANIM 220), one animation course (ANIM 310 or ANIM 320), and one restricted elective to be selected from UX 330 or UX 340 or ART 497.. Within Computer Science, courses must be taken in numerical sequence, no other specific course sequences are necessary. This flexibility allows for multiple entry points into the program.
Required Courses (18 hours)
ANIM 210Introduction to Computer Animation3
ANIM 2203D Modeling I: Environment3
CS 301Game Programming3
Select one animation course
ANIM 310Computer Animation I3
or ANIM 320 3D Modeling II: Character Design and Development
Select one course from the following Computer Science courses (3 hours):3
Introduction to Programming
Problem Solving and Programming
Computer Science I
Problem Solving with Computational Techniques
Elective Course (3 hours)3
User Interface Design
Introduction to Developing and Prototyping for Interactive Design
Special Topics in Animation
Total Hours18