Turn Your Love of Gaming into an Exciting Career with a Major in Game & Simulation Programming
Southern New Hampshire University's Bachelor of Science in Game and Simulation Programming can take you beyond simply playing games to actually making the next big video game sensation. This BS program balances a solid foundation in IT fundamentals with advanced training in the tools and techniques used by industry professionals today.
Students learn and apply principles used in writing code, developing artificial intelligence, working inside of game engines and designing realistic physics for video games. Courses mirror the industry-standard workflow pipeline used in the production of games across multiple platforms - from web to console, PC and mobile - so that when you graduate, you're ready for your new career as a game programmer.
Designed to incorporate industry experience and prepare you for the workplace more rapidly, a number of your credits will be earned through experiential learning—which may include studio work, lab work, project-based courses, internships, or industry certifications.
You’ll also learn through a mix of face-to-face classroom and online formats. That means less seat time in traditional classroom settings, and more time engaging with faculty members as project leads, internship advisors, or coaches.
Inkwell Interactive Studio
Looking to level up your portfolio? SNHU’s Inkwell Interactive Studio on campus can help you gain the experience you need to break into the industry. Modeled after a real-life work environment, Inkwell connects you with internal and external clients to fully design and implement projects – from virtual tours and games to medical simulators and more.
See Yourself Succeed with a Major in Game & Simulation Programming
Creativity, critical thinking and technical skills all come together in this in-demand undergraduate program. You'll emerge with the skills you need to enter an industry that is as fast-paced as it is exciting.
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of majoring in game programming and development at SNHU include:
- Supportive community. Join the SNHU campus community of students who are closely connected with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
- Affordability. It’s our mission to make higher education more accessible. That’s why, SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in New Hampshire.
- Accessible faculty. Learn from highly credentialed faculty who are experts in their fields and interact with you in the classroom, dining hall, fitness center and the stands.
- Opportunity. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni and strong connections with employers for internship and career opportunities.
- Campus experience. Enjoy more than 50 student clubs, champion Division II athletics and fun events on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, named a "Best Place to Live" by Money magazine
Internships & Outcomes
The game design industry in the United States continues to grow, with industry revenues topping $30.4 billion in 2016 according to the Entertainment Software Association. Skilled game programmers are consistently in demand and SNHU’s major in game and simulation programming prepares you well for positions such as Game Programmer, Physics Programmer, Tools Engineer, Game Engine Programmer, and UI Programmer.
In addition to faculty with industry experience, this undergraduate program helps you develop deep connections with other professionals. Students have opportunities to complete internships with game development companies, interact with industry professionals who regularly speak on campus and join a vibrant community of game developers in the game design club.
Most importantly, students work on teams to develop publication-quality games as part of GameJams and other competitions held throughout the school year. We want to make sure that when you graduate, you have connections in the industry and a rich portfolio of work to show prospective employers.
Curriculum
Coursework includes requirements from our core undergraduate general education and business programs. You'll then add courses to satisfy the major requirements, such as interactive animation, 3-D modeling, artificial intelligence and more.
Faculty will push, inspire and encourage you to realize your full potential as a game programmer. At Southern New Hampshire University, we keep classes small, allowing you to connect with faculty who are there to support you on your journey. Take Professor Ed Brillant, for example - a former Art Director at Seven45 Studios in Boston with over 10 years of experience in the game industry, having worked on games for companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Sony. Students are consistently connected with faculty members who really know what it takes to be successful in the industry.
Courses To Prepare You For Your Life & Career
SNHU's bachelor's in game programming and development program includes:
- General education courses
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
SNHU's required general education program, known as The Commons, aims to guide you toward success in not only your academic career, but your personal and professional life too.
Throughout the curriculum, you'll gain some of the most in-demand skills in today's workplace, including:
- Research and information analysis
- Diverse audience communication
- Critical thinking and ethical problem solving
- Leadership, emotional intelligence and collaboration
This expertise will prove practical, transferable and invaluable as you grow in your career and contribute positively to society.
Beyond foundational skill development, the general education program also provides the benefit of allowing you to explore a wide range of fields outside of your intended major.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| BS in Game & Simulation Programming |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| BS in Game & Simulation Programming | ||
| COM 230 | Graphics and Layout in Print Media | This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of graphic design. Students are introduced through lecture, demonstration and hands-on computer work to the basic elements of graphic visual communication. Adobe Illustrator is used as a primary tool in exploring visual perception through a variety of creative exercises that familiarize the student with basic visual principles such as figure/ground manipulation, shape grouping, letterform shape creation, and grid and system creation. Formal elements of graphic design such as line, shape, color, texture, pattern, balance, symmetry, rhythm, space and unity are thoroughly explored by example and hands-on computer exercises; special topics included are: designing with type, layout strategies, logo design, symbol and pictogram development and stationery systems. |
| GAD 215 | Texturing for Games | In this course, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for designing and adding textures and materials to 3D models. The addition of textures and materials is a critical step in the production pipeline for interactive visual designs. Students will design various textures and materials, and then apply them to add color, texture, opacity, and reflectivity to the surfaces of 3D models. |
| GRA 220 | Introduction to Digital Imaging | Using Photoshop and Illustrator software, this course is an introduction to professional computer graphics creation and to the software and hardware typically used in the graphic design, video, photography and interactive Web/multimedia industries. Emphasis will be placed on the professional use of image-capturing devices, such as scanners, digital still cameras and video cameras. Image editing and color management systems will be discussed and demonstrated. The important differences between vector and bitmap graphics will be defined, as will the significant differences in preparing images for print, broadcast and Web distribution. Students will be encouraged to experiment with their own and pre-existing images using sophisticated digital editing techniques such as layering, channel masking, filtering, cloning and montaging. Special attention will be paid to copyright awareness in the age of digital image. |
| IT 205 | Digital Music | This course introduces students to information technology and the music business. The primary theme of the course is to understand how information technology has transformed the music industry in the last five years. The course is part lecture and part lab work. During lectures, students will learn about topics such a waveform audio, data compression and sampling, digital signal processors and soundcards, audio file formats, MIDI, e-collaboration, and e-business. During lab work, students will learn how to use software packages to compose, record, and mix music, to put music on a CD, to design a CD package, and to use the Internet to market and distribute music CD's. The course includes a project which will culminate in the creation of a professional CD suitable for distribution. The course is designed for students who have an interest in music and IT, e.g. sound engineering, song-writing, or executive leadership in the music industry. An ability to play an instrument is not required. |
| IT 210 | Business Systems Analysis and Design | This course provides students with the necessary level of information technology education relative to understanding the uses and roles of information systems in business organizations. Students receive instruction on the information concepts and methodologies associated with the development of business information systems, and their effective application to the solution of business problems. Students learn the major issues of managing information technology in the contemporary business environment and the relationship between organizations' structures and information technology. Team approaches are utilized along with structured computer laboratories and cases using spreadsheet and database management tools. Writing intensive course. |
| IT 330 | Database Design and Management | This course covers the design and implementation of information systems within a database management system environment. Students will demonstrate their mastery of the design process acquired in earlier courses by designing and constructing a physical system using database software to implement logical design. Topics include data models and modeling tools and techniques; approaches to structural and object design; models for databases (relational, hierarchical, networked and object-oriented designs) CASE tools, data dictionaries, repositories and warehouses, Windows/GUI coding and/or implementation, code and application generation, client-server planning, testing and installation, system conversion, end-user training and integration and post-implementation review. |
| Total Credits: 120 | ||
Minimum Hardware Required Specifications
|
Component Type |
PC (Windows OS) |
Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
|
Memory (RAM) |
8GB or higher |
8GB or higher |
|
Hard Drive |
100GB or higher |
100GB or higher |
|
Antivirus Software |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
|
SNHU Purchase Programs |
||
|
Internet/ Bandwidth |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100 ms Latency |
Notes:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Game and Simulation Programming Required Hardware & Software
|
Component Type |
Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Laptop |
You will need the portability to take to your classes |
|
Processor |
11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-11800H (24MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz, 8 cores) |
|
Memory |
16GB DDR4 3200MHz |
|
Graphics Card |
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 6GB GDDR6 |
|
Hard Drive |
1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive |
|
Display |
15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 165Hz 300 nits WVA Anti-Glare LED Backlit Narrow Border |
|
Wireless |
Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2x2) Wi-Fi + Bluetooth® 5.2 |
|
Battery |
6-Cell, 86WHr Integrated |
|
Recommended Warranty |
3-Year Onsite Service After Remote Diagnosis + Accidental Damage |
Campus Undergraduate Tuition
Our Manchester campus aims to keep tuition and related costs low for our students so that you can pursue your degree and your goals.
University Accreditation
Related Articles
How to Become a Software Engineer
What is Hour of Code? A Chance to Kickstart Your Coding Literacy
