Computer Science (BS), Game Development Concentration
Program Overview
The Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering at NC State 腦瞳排桴 offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree. The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of 插詁楚啦,泭.泭
Students complete the standard set of engineering first-year courses, which include courses in the humanities, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computing.泭 Students may apply to join the Department of Computer Science as degree-seeking students via the .泭泭
The Computer Science curriculum teaches students the skills needed to understand, design, implement, test, and deploy computer systems and software systems.泭 Core courses provide a foundation for all students in programming languages, data structures, software engineering, computer architectures, the theory of computation, the basics of building secure software and systems, teaming and communication, and the social and ethical dimensions of the practice of computer science.泭
All Computer Science majors must complete a team project in Senior Design. Projects under the auspices of the departments r have industrial sponsors, so student teams gain experience working jointly with industry representatives to achieve project goals. Senior Design teams are expected to solve a technical computing problem while effectively communicating their work and process to various audiences.
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the !
Game Development Concentration
Computer games are some of the most complex software development projects and employ some of the most advanced technologies of any application area of computer science. The entertainment software sector is a multi-billion dollar industry with increasing demand for new employees trained in these technologies and methods. In addition to the more familiar entertainment sector, these technologies also have applications to such areas as training, education, visualization, and social interaction forums so-called serious games. North Carolina is now among the top tier of US states with centers of game industry employment. As the game industry continues to grow, demand by North Carolina companies for new graduates with a strong background in computer science with a focus on game development will also expand.
Many aspects of computer game development are unique to the game industry and the Game Development Concentration provides specialized coursework in these areas. The Game Development Concentration focuses on game development technologies while preserving the breadth and depth of the general computer science BS degree. The concentration requires that students take 21 hours of games-focused courses. Of the nine credit hours required for other electives, students in the concentration must select three courses from a list that spans topics such as fiction writing, film, and music. These courses provide grounding in the creation of conventional media and provide the background in these disciplines needed to participate in the multidisciplinary aspects of the design of games.泭 Finally, students must complete a games-focused semester-long project either through Senior Design or an independent study/research project.
Departmental Information
The Department of Computer Science is located in Engineering Building II on NC States Centennial Campus.泭泭
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Field of Study Requirements | |||
| Math | |||
| 紼插泭141 | Calculus I 1,2 | 4 | |
| 紼插泭241 | Calculus II 1,2 | 4 | |
| 紼插泭242 | Calculus III | 4 | |
| 紼插泭305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 | |
| 釦啦泭370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 | |
| Sciences | |||
| 唬晨泭101 &硃鳥梯;泭唬晨泭102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1,2 | 4 | |
| 捩喊泭205 &硃鳥梯;泭捩喊泭206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1,2 | 4 | |
| 捩喊泭208 &硃鳥梯;泭捩喊泭209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 | |
| Basic Science Elective | 3 | ||
| CSC Major | |||
| 唬釦唬泭116 | Introduction to Computing - Java 2 | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭216 &硃鳥梯;泭唬釦唬泭217 | Software Development Fundamentals and Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2 | 4 | |
| 唬釦唬泭226 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 2 | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭230 | C and Software Tools | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭246 | Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭316 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭326 | Software Engineering | 4 | |
| 唬釦唬泭333 | Automata, Grammars, and Computability | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭379 | Ethics in Computing | 1 | |
| 唬釦唬泭492 | Senior Design Project | 3 | |
| Other Major | |||
| CSC Restricted Elective | 3 | ||
| Other Restricted Electives 300+ | 3 | ||
| 楚捧勞泭331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 | |
| Concentration Courses/Groups/Electives | |||
| 唬釦唬泭481 | Game Engine Foundations 2 | 3 | |
| CSC Games Core 2 | 3 | ||
| CSC Games Restricted Elective 2 | 6 | ||
| Games Restricted Electives | 9 | ||
| Games Project (verify requirement) 4 | |||
| College Requirements | |||
| 楚泭101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,3 | 1 | |
| 楚泭102 | Engineering in the 21st Century 2 | 2 | |
| 楚泭115 | Introduction to Computing Environments 1 | 1 | |
| 楚唬泭205 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 | |
| 棗娶泭楚唬泭201 | Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| 棗娶泭插賊楚泭201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| General Education Program Requirements | |||
| 楚捧勞泭101 1,3 | 4 | ||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Additional Breadth | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement) | |||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 121 | ||
| 1 | College of Engineering CODA classes |
| 2 | Grade of C or higher required |
| 3 | Grade of C minus or higher required |
| 4 | Students must complete a departmentally approved Games-focused project as part of 唬釦唬泭492, 唬釦唬泭498, or 唬釦唬泭499. |
泭Basic Science Elective
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO *** | |||
| CH泭201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science | 3 | |
| MEA *** | |||
| PB *** | |||
| PY泭123 | Stellar and Galactic Astronomy | 3 | |
| PY泭124 | Solar System Astronomy | 3 | |
| PY泭328 | Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics | 3 | |
| PY泭341 | Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology | 3 | |
| PY泭401 | Quantum Physics I | 3 | |
| PY泭402 | Quantum Physics II | 3 | |
| PY泭407 | Introduction to Modern Physics | 3 | |
| PY泭411 | Mechanics I | 3 | |
| PY泭412 | Mechanics II | 3 | |
| PY泭413 | Thermal Physics | 3 | |
| PY泭414 | Electromagnetism I | 3 | |
| PY泭415 | Electromagnetism II | 3 | |
| ZOO *** | |||
CSC Games Core
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC泭461 | Computer Graphics | 3 | |
| CSC泭486 | Computational Visual Narrative | 3 |
CSC Games Restricted Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC泭411 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 | |
| CSC泭454 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 | |
| CSC泭461 | Computer Graphics | 3 | |
| CSC泭462 | Advanced Computer Graphics Projects | 3 | |
| CSC 48* | 3 | ||
| CSC泭582 | Computer Models of Interactive Narrative | 3 | |
| CSC泭584 | Building Game AI | 3 | |
Games Restricted Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC泭281 | Foundations of Interactive Game Design | 3 | |
| COM泭327 | Critical Analysis of Communication Media | 3 | |
| COM泭427 | Game Studies | 3 | |
| ENG泭282 | Introduction to Film | 3 | |
| ENG泭288 | Fiction Writing | 3 | |
| ENG泭376 | Science Fiction | 3 | |
| ENG泭377 | Fantasy | 3 | |
| ENG泭492 | Special Topics in Film Styles and Genres | 3 | |
| MUS泭306 | Music Composition with Computers | 3 |
泭Other Restricted Electives 300+
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC Restricted Elective Courses | 1-6 | ||
| ACC泭310 | Intermediate Financial Accounting I | 3 | |
| ACC泭311 | Intermediate Financial Accounting II | 3 | |
| ACC泭330 | An Introduction To Income Taxation | 3 | |
| ACC泭340 | Accounting Information Systems | 3 | |
| ARS泭306 | Music Composition with Computers | 3 | |
| BUS泭320 | Financial Management | 3 | |
| BUS泭340 | Information Systems Management | 3 | |
| BUS泭360 | Marketing Methods | 3 | |
| BUS 4** | |||
| CHE泭435 | Process Systems Analysis and Control | 3 | |
| CHE泭465 | Colloidal and Nanoscale Engineering | 3 | |
| CSC泭427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| CSC泭428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| EC 3** | |||
| EC 4** | |||
| EC 5** | |||
| ECE 3** (except for ECE泭309) | |||
| ECE 4** | |||
| ECE 5** | |||
| EMS泭480 | Teaching Mathematics with Technology | 3 | |
| GC泭320 | 3D Spatial Relations | 3 | |
| GC泭350 | Applied CAD/D and Geometric Controls | 3 | |
| GC泭420 | Visual Thinking | 3 | |
| GN 5** | |||
| ISE泭311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 | |
| ISE泭361 | Deterministic Models in Industrial Engineering | 3 | |
| ISE 4** | |||
| ISE 5** | |||
| LOG泭335 | Symbolic Logic | 3 | |
| LOG泭435 | Advanced Logic & Metamathematics | 3 | |
| LOG泭535 | Advanced Logic and Metamathematics | 3 | |
| MA泭302 | Numerical Applications to Differential Equations | 1 | |
| MA泭341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 | |
| MA泭351 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models | 3 | |
| MA泭401 | Applied Differential Equations II | 3 | |
| MA泭402 | Mathematics of Scientific Computing | 3 | |
| MA泭403 | Introduction to Modern Algebra | 3 | |
| MA泭405 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 3 | |
| MA泭407 | Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors | 3 | |
| MA泭408 | Foundations of Euclidean Geometry | 3 | |
| MA泭410 | Theory of Numbers | 3 | |
| MA泭412 | Long-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| MA泭413 | Short-Term Actuarial Models | 3 | |
| MA泭425 | Mathematical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA泭426 | Mathematical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA泭427 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis I | 3 | |
| MA泭428 | Introduction to Numerical Analysis II | 3 | |
| MA泭430 | Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| MA泭432 | Mathematical Models in Life Sciences | 3 | |
| MA泭437 | Applications of Algebra | 3 | |
| MA泭440 | Game Theory | 3 | |
| MA 5** | |||
| MAE 3** | |||
| MAE 4** | |||
| MAE 5** | |||
| MIE 3** | |||
| MIE 4** | |||
| MSE 3** | |||
| MSE 4** | |||
| MSE 5** | |||
| MUS泭306 | Music Composition with Computers | 3 | |
| NE 3** | |||
| NE 4** | |||
| NE 5** | |||
| OR 5** | |||
| PHI泭425 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 | |
| PSY泭307 | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY泭340 | Human Factors Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY泭400 | Perception | 3 | |
| PSY泭420 | Cognitive Processes | 3 | |
| PSY泭425 | Introduction to Cognitive Science | 3 | |
| PY 4** | |||
| PY 5** | |||
| ST泭372 | Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression | 3 | |
| ST 4** | |||
| ST 5** | |||
CSC Restricted Electives泭
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC泭236 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists | 3 | |
| CSC泭302 | Introduction to Numerical Methods | 3 | |
| CSC泭342 | Applied Web-based Client-Server Computing | 3 | |
| CSC泭401 | Data and Computer Communications Networks | 3 | |
| CSC泭402 | Networking Projects | 3 | |
| CSC泭405 | Computer Security | 3 | |
| CSC泭406 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| CSC泭411 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 | |
| CSC泭412 | Compiler Construction | 3 | |
| CSC泭414 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| CSC泭415 | Software Security | 3 | |
| CSC泭416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 | |
| CSC泭417 | Theory of Programming Languages | 3 | |
| CSC泭419 | DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices | 3 | |
| CSC泭422 | Automated Learning and Data Analysis | 3 | |
| CSC泭431 | File Organization and Processing | 3 | |
| CSC泭433 | Privacy in the Digital Age | 3 | |
| CSC泭440 | Database Management Systems | 3 | |
| CSC泭442 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 | |
| CSC泭447 | Introduction to Cloud Computing | 3 | |
| CSC泭450 | Web Services | 3 | |
| CSC泭453 | Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) Systems | 3 | |
| CSC泭454 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 | |
| CSC泭455 | Social Computing and Decentralized Artificial Intelligence | 3 | |
| CSC泭456 | Computer Architecture and Multiprocessors | 3 | |
| CSC泭461 | Computer Graphics | 3 | |
| CSC泭462 | Advanced Computer Graphics Projects | 3 | |
| CSC泭467 | Multimedia Technology | 3 | |
| CSC泭471 | Modern Topics in Cybersecurity | 3 | |
| CSC泭472 | Cybersecurity Projects | 3 | |
| CSC泭474 | Network Security | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭481 | Game Engine Foundations | 3 | |
| CSC泭482 | Advanced Computer Game Projects | 3 | |
| CSC泭484 | Building Game AI | 3 | |
| CSC泭486 | Computational Visual Narrative | 3 | |
| CSC泭495 | Special Topics in Computer Science | 1-6 | |
| 唬釦唬泭498 | Independent Study in Computer Science | 3 | |
| 唬釦唬泭499 | Independent Research in Computer Science | 1-6 | |
| CSC 5** | |||
| ECE泭482 | Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development I | 3 | |
| ECE泭483 | Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development II | 3 | |
| MA泭414 | Foundations of Cryptography | 3 | |
| MA泭416 | Introduction to Combinatorics | 3 | |
| ST泭442 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 | |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
Semester Sequence4, 5
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 唬晨泭101 &硃鳥梯;泭唬晨泭102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory 1, 2 | 4 |
| 楚泭101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1, 3 | 1 |
| 楚泭115 | Introduction to Computing Environments 1 | 1 |
| 楚捧勞泭101 | Academic Writing and Research 1, 3 | 4 |
| 紼插泭141 | Calculus I 1, 2 | 4 |
| 泭 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 唬釦唬泭116 | Introduction to Computing - Java 2 | 3 |
| 紼插泭241 | Calculus II 1, 2 | 4 |
| 捩喊泭205 &硃鳥梯;泭捩喊泭206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1, 2 | 4 |
| 楚泭102 | Engineering in the 21st Century 1, 2 | 2 |
| 楚唬泭205 | Fundamentals of Economics or Principles of Microeconomics or Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | 3 |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 唬釦唬泭216 &硃鳥梯;泭唬釦唬泭217 | Software Development Fundamentals and Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2 | 4 |
| 唬釦唬泭226 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 2 | 3 |
| 紼插泭242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| 捩喊泭208 &硃鳥梯;泭捩喊泭209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 唬釦唬泭230 | C and Software Tools | 3 |
| 唬釦唬泭316 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| 唬釦唬泭333 | Automata, Grammars, and Computability | 3 |
| 紼插泭305 | Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 唬釦唬泭246 | Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists | 3 |
| 唬釦唬泭481 | Game Engine Foundations 2 | 3 |
| 釦啦泭370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| Games Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| 唬釦唬泭326 | Software Engineering | 4 |
| 唬釦唬泭379 | Ethics in Computing | 1 |
| CSC Games Core 2 | 3 | |
| 楚捧勞泭331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Other Restricted Electives 300+ | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| 唬釦唬泭492 | Senior Design Project 7 | 3 |
| CSC Games Restricted Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Games Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Basic Science Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CSC Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| CSC Games Restricted Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Games Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| 泭 | Hours | 15 |
| 泭 | Total Hours | 121 |
| 1 | Courses required for matriculation (CODA). |
| 2 | Grade of C or higher required. |
| 3 | A grade of C- or higher is required. |
| 4 | One of the following two conditions regarding the major GPA is required: l) the major GPA, which consists of all CSC courses attempted at NCSU, must be 2.0 or higher or II) a student whose major grade point average is below 2.0 may graduate if no CSC course used to satisfy the major requirements has a grade below a C-. |
| 5 | Students must complete a departmentally approved Games-focused project as part of泭唬釦唬泭492,泭唬釦唬泭498, 棗娶泭唬釦唬泭499. |
Career Opportunities
Designing computer systems, and the software that runs on them is the job of computer scientists. Computer scientists find demand for their innovation, design, analysis, testing, and engineering skills across all domains. As a direct consequence of the increasingly critical role of computers in society, the discipline of computer science has enjoyed rapid growth for many years, with the trend likely to continue. 泭Employment projections indicate a critical nationwide shortfall in the supply of people skilled in computing and information technology, and a resulting steady rise in demand and salaries, for decades to come. Computer Science graduates from NC State are in high demand, including by employers that are extremely selective in their national recruiting.
Anchoring one corner of the world-famous Research Triangle Park, and located in modern state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities on NC States Centennial Campus, the department and its students and faculty benefit from strong and active industry partnerships. NC State Computer Science is one of the top suppliers in the nation of new graduate hires to a number of high-tech companies, including several Fortune 500 companies, some with a substantial presence in the Research Triangle. Starting salaries for our undergraduates now average over $75,000 and show a steady increase. Opportunities are also plentiful for graduate study for those who wish to pursue the field in more depth.