Program Overview

Game Design and Interactive Media, B.S.

Overview

The Game Design and Interactive Media program at the University of California, Irvine, prepares students to be innovative designers, developers, and industry leaders. The program's unique two-year foundation includes hands-on courses in worldbuilding, game design and development, game programming, and game studies. Students then pursue advanced coursework that culminates in a two-quarter capstone project supported by industry mentors.

Admission

Freshman applicants should refer to the Undergraduate Admissions section. Transfer applicants must have a cumulative UC transferable GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of B in one year of computer programming courses in a single object-language (Python, Java, or C++). It is recommended that students articulate to I&C SCI 31-33, which can be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Major Requirements

Lower-division

• Programming:
  • Select one of the following:
    1. GDIM 31: Introduction to Programming for Games
    2. I&C SCI 31: Introduction to Programming
  • Select one of the following:
    1. GDIM 32: Intermediate Programming for Games
    2. I&C SCI 32: Programming with Software Libraries
    3. GDIM 33: Coding In Game Engines
• Design:
  • Complete:
    1. GDIM 25: Game Design Fundamentals
  • Select one of the following:
    1. GDIM 27: Intermediate Game Design
    2. GDIM 61: Introduction to Game Development
• Society:
  • Select two of the following:
    1. GDIM 41: Games and Society
    2. GDIM 49: Special Topics in Games and Society
    3. STATS 6: Introduction to Data Science
• Worldbuilding:
  • Select two of the following:
    1. GDIM 51: Visual Design Fundamentals
    2. GDIM 53: Roleplaying and Improvisational Play
    3. GDIM 55: Storytelling for Interactive Media

Upper-division

• Complete one project track:
  • GDIM Capstone Track:
    1. GDIM 167A: Capstone Game Project I
    2. GDIM 167B: Capstone Game Project II
  • Special Project Track:
    1. GDIM 129: Special Topics: Project in Advanced Game Design (must be taken twice)
• Select three of the following:
  • GDIM 127: Professional Studio/Practicum
  • GDIM 129: Special Topics: Project in Advanced Game Design
  • GDIM 131: Data Analytics for Interactive Media
  • GDIM 161: Multiplayer Game Project
  • GDIM 165: Games Entrepreneurship
  • IN4MATX 151: Project Management
• Core Electives:
  • Select an additional six courses from the following:
    1. GDIM 49: Special Topics in Games and Society
    2. GDIM 127: Professional Studio/Practicum
    3. GDIM 129: Special Topics: Project in Advanced Game Design
    4. GDIM 139: Special Topics in Game Programming
    5. GDIM 149: Special Topics in Interactive Media Design
    6. GDIM 163: Solo Game Project
    7. GDIM 165: Games Entrepreneurship
    8. I&C SCI 33: Intermediate Programming
    9. IN4MATX 121: Software Design: Applications
    10. IN4MATX 131: Human Computer Interaction
    11. IN4MATX 132: Advanced Topics in Human-Computer Interaction
    12. IN4MATX 133: User Interaction Software
    13. IN4MATX 151: Project Management
    14. IN4MATX 164: Children's Learning and Media
    15. STATS 7: Basic Statistics
    16. STATS 67: Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Computer Science
• Open Electives:
  • Complete three elective courses from across the university (12 units)
  • Complete six upper-division elective courses from across the university (24 units)

Sample Program

The sample program lists the minimum requirements; it is possible that students may have to take additional courses to prepare for required courses. The lower-division writing requirement must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter at UCI.

• Freshman:
  • Fall: GDIM 31, GDIM 41, GDIM 51, WRITING 50
  • Winter: GDIM 25 or IC SCI 61, GDIM 32 or IC SCI 167, GDIM 55
  • Spring: GDIM 27 or IC SCI 166, GDIM 33 or IC SCI 161, WRITING 60
• Sophomore:
  • Fall: STATS 6, GDIM 49, GE II
  • Winter: GDIM 49, GDIM 53, GE III/VII
  • Spring: GDIM 61, GE IV/VIII, Open Elective
• Junior:
  • Fall: GDIM 129, I&C SCI 163, GE III
  • Winter: GDIM 127, GDIM 131, Upper-Division Writing
  • Spring: GDIM 129, GDIM 161, GE IV
• Senior:
  • Fall: GDIM 167A, Core Elective, Open Elective
  • Winter: GDIM 167B, Open Elective, Open Elective
  • Spring: GDIM 139, GDIM 165, Open Elective

Career Opportunities

Games and interactive media technologies are evolving at a radical pace, transforming how we work, learn, and play. As such, a wide variety of careers and graduate programs are open to Game Design and Interactive Media graduates, including game development, interactive entertainment, creative technologies, educational and learning software, and more. The majority of graduates find employment in the industry, whether at a major publisher, smaller studio, or as self-employed freelancers. Many succeed in bringing their skills to the design and development of serious games in various domains, including healthcare and education.