Game Design Major Curriculum

A successful game designer can adapt quickly to new technology and develop new ideas in the face of changing trends. Above all, game design professionals must be effective communicators with strong time management skills.

Our Upside-Down Curriculum allows you to begin taking your Game Design classes beginning in your first semester, giving you four years to hone these professional skills and practice game design work.

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Game Design Major Curriculum 2020-2021


First Year

First Semester

Visual Communication for Game Design
(GMD 100)

Introduction to Game Development
(EGD 101)

Introduction to Game Design
(GMD 110)

Navigating Higher Education in a Global Context
(COR 101)

FYI: Reading, Writing, & ____
(COR 102)

Second Semester

Introduction to Statistics
(MTH 180) or
Calculus I
(MTH 230)

Game History
(EGD 102)

The Joy of Computing
(CSI 100) or
Python Programming
(CSI 160) or
Introduction to Programming
(CSI 140)

Navigating Your Information Landscape
(COR 103)

FYI: Making, Doing, & ____
(COR 104)


Second Year

First Semester

Introduction to 3-D Modeling & Texturing
(GAA 135) or
Advanced Programming
(CSI 240)

Game Technology I
(GMD 200)

Principles of Game Design
(GMD 210)

Aesthetic Expressions
(COR 220)

Choose a 200-level COR course
(COR 2XX)

Second Semester

Game Studio I
(EGD 220)

Level Design
(GMD 240)

Aesthetic Interactions
(IXD 200) or
3-D Modeling 1
(GAA 235) or
Game Architecture
(GPR 250)

Heroines & Heroes
(COR 270)

Choose a 200-level COR course
(COR 2XX)

Talk to your Advisor and/or the Office of International Education about possible curriculum adjustments in order to create a semester abroad in your third year.


Third Year

In the third year, students must take COR 310, COR 320, and two COR 330 courses. COR 310 and COR 320 must be taken together, and the two COR 330 courses must be taken together. Either pair may be taken in either semester.

First Semester

Game Technology II
(GMD 300)

Applied Ludology
(GMD 310)

Creative Portfolio Tools
(EGD 240)

The Global Condition
(COR 310)

Human Rights & Responsibilities
(COR 320)

Program elective

Second Semester

Game Studio II
(EGD 320)

Game Systems & Experience Design
(GMD 320)

Local Contexts, Global Connections
(COR 330)

Local Contexts, Global Connections
(COR 330)

Program elective


Fourth Year

First Semester

College Capstone
(CCC 410)

Natural science elective w/ lab
(SCI XXX)

Program elective

Program elective

Second Semester

Senior Portfolio: Game Design
(GMD 410)

Senior Production
(EGD 420)

General elective

General elective