Information Technology Program

Video Game Programming Minor

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Video Game Programming Minor

Description

Do you know the rules of the game?

If you’re intrigued by interactive entertainment, learn how to make it interact! A minor in Video Game Programming will give you the opportunity to breathe life into video game treatments by marrying theoretical concepts with practical skills. Integrating the disciplines of Computer Science and Information Technology, you’ll be exposed to dynamic tools such as 3-D graphics, artificial intelligence, particle systems and collision detection. By the completion of this minor, you’ll have acquired the skills to evaluate, write and debug code while working toward the creation of a video game engine.

Requirements

Minimum units: 27

Core courses (19 units)

CSCI 101L - Fundamentals of Computer Programming (3)
CSCI 102L - Data Structures (4)
ITP 280 - Video Game Production (4)
ITP 380 - Video Game Programming (4)
ITP 485 Programming Game Engines (4)

Elective courses (8 units- 4 must be ITP)

CSCI 460 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3)
CSCI 480 - Computer Graphics (3)
ITP 382 - Mobile Game Programming (4)
ITP 461 - Artificial Intelligence in Video Games (1)
ITP 481 - Video Game Graphics (1)
ITP 484 - Multiplayer Game Programming (4)

The requirements listed are from the current USC Catalogue. Requirements may change, and students must follow the requirements listed in the USC Catalogue from their year of entry to USC.

Target Audience

(Tech Experience Needed, Majors/Minors)

Students studying Computer Science, Engineering and all other students interested in
learning about the technology behind video games.

Companies Hiring

Student Testimonials

"The Video Game Programming minor was the most useful to me mainly because the professors come from professional game development environments. This makes them a great source of practical knowledge and advice about how to get into the gaming industry. They prepare us really well to hit the ground running when we start working because they know from experience what skills a new college grad should possess. They also stress the importance of having demos to make ourselves more attractive to hiring managers, so each class project is a demo that can be added to a portfolio."
- Tim Widmann (EA Mobile)

Industry & Career Info

This fast-growing industry is expected to surpass $30 billion in 2006 and is growing at the rate of 20% a year.