Digital Gaming and Simulation Program

The School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Houston-Victoria has two new undergraduate concentrations that are tailor-made for gaming enthusiasts. The concentrations are called Digital Gaming and Simulation. The program is available to bachelor of applied arts and sciences (BAAS-Gaming) as well as bachelor of science - computer science majors (BS-CS/Gaming.) Both concentrations are offered in Victoria and Sugar Land, and share many gaming and support courses.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Di Leo, dean for the School of Arts and Sciences at UHV, "This program will prepare students for careers in video game development. Occupations in this industry are in high demand."

Some of the core courses in this program include: Game Artificial Intelligence and Behavioral Modeling, Game Engines, Gaming Networks Architecture, Game Programming using DirectX (a required course in the BS-CS/Gaming, but may be an elective in the BAAS-Gaming program.) Digital Games as Communication, Interactive Narrative, Project Management, and a Senior Project which is a group project involving an interdisciplinary team of programmers, artists, story writers and others.

Students wishing to pursue this degree plan also have many electives to choose from, including Game Internship, Art for Gaming, Virtual Worlds, Visual Communication, 3D Modeling, Multimedia Animation, Operating Systems, and Software Engineering.

The Digital Gaming and Simulation program is an interdisciplinary concentration. In addition to developing technical and organizational skills in game development, the program will also offer students an in-depth study of the history, philosophy, ethics, and sociology of digital games and game playing. As the program grows we plan to add additional components such as the business of gaming and serious game development.

BAAS-Gaming. We envision the BAAS-Gaming to be populated primarily by students interested in pursuing artistic, multimedia and other non-programming careers in the game industry. This program will involve a total of 40-semester hour upper division coursework.

BS-CS/Gaming. The BS-CS/Gaming will provide more in-depth programming and technical content in game design, game development, and game programming, in addition to making available all the interdisciplinary content that is part of the BAAS-Gaming program. This program will involve a total of 54-semester hour upper division coursework.

For more information on the Digital Gaming and Simulation concentrations, please contact Tracey Fox, recruiting coordinator for the School of Arts and Sciences, at (361)570-4233 or toll free at (877)970-4848, ext. 233, or via email at artssciences@uhv.edu.