StudyQA — Bachelor: Computer Science Games — University of Southern California

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The goal of the BS in Computer Science (Games) program is to graduate students with a solid grounding in computer science and a cross-disciplinary background in game development. Topics covered in the crossdisciplinary game development portion of the degree program include game production, visual design for games and interactives, computer animation, video game programming, game hardware architectures, game engine programming, serious game development, introductory and intermediate game design, and two semester-long final game projects. Students graduating from this program will be capable of engineering next-generation games and simulations and their technologies in the entertainment and serious game fields. Additionally, graduates from this program will be able to further their education in graduate programs in game development and computer science.

Composition/Writing Requirements (7 Units)

WRIT 150 Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches Units: 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing Units: 3, 4 *

General Education (24 Units)

General Education Units: 24

Pre-Major Requirements (17-18 Units)

Engineering (2 units)

ENGR 102 Engineering Freshman Academy Units: 2

Mathematics (8 units)

MATH 125g Calculus I Units: 4 **
MATH 126 Calculus II Units: 4
or
MATH 129 Calculus II for Engineers and Scientists Units: 4

Linear Algebra (3-4 units)

MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations Units: 4 or
EE 241 Applied Linear Algebra for Engineering Units: 3

Physics (4 units)

PHYS 151Lg Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics Units: 4 ** or
PHYS 161Lg Advanced Principles of Physics I Units: 4

Major Requirements (76-78 units)

Computer Science (41 Units)

CSCI 103L Introduction to Programming Units: 4
CSCI 104L Data Structures and Object Oriented Design Units: 4
CSCI 109 Introduction to Computer Science Units: 2
CSCI 170 Discrete Methods in Computer Science Units: 4
CSCI 201L Principles of Software Development Units: 4
CSCI 270 Introduction to Algorithms and Theory of Computing Units: 4
CSCI 350 Introduction to Operating Systems Units: 4
CSCI 353 Introduction to Internetworking Units: 4
CSCI 360L Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Units: 4
CSCI 420 Computer Graphics Units: 4
EE 352L Computer Organization and Architecture Units: 3

Game Development (35-37 Units)

CSCI 281 Pipelines for Games and Interactives Units: 3
CSCI 423 Native Console Multiplayer Game Development Units: 4
CSCI 491aL Final Game Project Units: 4
CSCI 491bL Final Game Project Units: 2
CTIN 190 Introduction to Interactive Entertainment Units: 4
CTIN 484L Intermediate Game Development Units: 2
CTIN 488 Game Design Workshop Units: 4
CTIN 489 Intermediate Game Design Workshop Units: 2
ITP 380 Video Game Programming Units: 4
ITP 485 Programming Game Engines Units: 4

Students must take at least one of the following three courses:

CSCI 424 Game Engine Tool Development Units: 4
CSCI 425 Immersive Game Development Units: 4
CTAN 452 Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation Units: 2

Free Electives (1-4 units)

Total units: 128

*WRIT 340 Advanced Writing (Communication for Engineers) is strongly recommended for CSGM majors.

**Satisfies GE requirement.

Common App Writing Supplement: Essay and Short Answer questions
Transcripts: First-year applicants should submit official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed.
Official Test Scores: Arrange for the testing agency to send your SAT or ACT scores directly to USC.
School Report: All first-year applicants are required to submit the Common Application School Report by providing the name and e-mail address of a recommender.
Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or a Counselor
Portfolio, resumé and/or additional writing samples: if required by major. Performance majors may also require auditions.
Submit your fall grades (when available): Use the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit www.usc.edu/midyeargrades to submit your fall grades.
Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support
TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores, if the student’s native language is not English.