Program Overview

Computer Gaming Certificate Program

The Computer Gaming Certificate program provides students with a game development skill set that they can apply to domain-specific applications in their major. The skill set includes architecture of game engines, art design and computer graphics for gaming, and game software development.

Program Description

Students learn to apply gaming technology to the rapidly growing video game industry and to fields including business, medicine, geography, biotechnology, and education. Examples of projects include:

• Building a game that teaches linear algebra by incorporating trigonometric rules into the game design
• Creating a game that teaches correct sentence construction to beginning learners of English
• Creating a game to help patients with physical therapy
• Creating an interactive virtual world for corporate training
• Designing a game platform that incorporates geographic information systems
• Inventing a surgical simulation to educate medical students

At a Glance

• College/School: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe

Curriculum

Students will complete nine credit hours of core courses (including a final capstone project) and nine credit hours of elective courses. The certificate requires 12 credit hours of upper-division coursework. All courses must be passed with a "C" or better. Students need to allow at least three years to complete the certificate program due to the prerequisite structure.

• Core Courses:
  • CPI 111 Game Development I (QTRS) - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C
  • CPI 211 Game Development II - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C
  • CPI 441 Gaming Capstone - 3 Credit Hours, Minimum Grade: C (only offered in Spring semesters)
• Upper Division Elective Courses (choose three):
  • CPI 311 Game Engine Development
  • SER 332 Introduction to Graphics and Game Development
  • CPI 321 Fundamentals of Game Art
  • CPI 394 Topic: Game Design Fundamentals
  • CPI 411 Graphics for Games
  • SER 432 Game Engine Architecture
  • CPI 421 3-D Modeling and Texturing
  • CPI 462 Design for Learning in Virtual Worlds
  • CPI 484 Internship
  • FMS 365 Video Games and Narrative
  • SER 431 Advanced Graphics

Enrollment Requirements

The computer gaming certificate is open to any student admitted to an undergraduate degree program at ASU who is in good academic standing. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies can use this certificate as part of their degree program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply game development techniques in solving real-world problems in different application domains.
• Demonstrate the ability to create a portfolio of hands-on games and prototypes using state-of-the-art technology.

Career Opportunities

Students can advance their career options with an undergraduate certificate. Those who add this computer gaming specialization as a complement to their major program of study may be more marketable to employers in the gaming industry.