腦瞳排桴

Computer Science (BS), Game Development Concentration

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit .

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

Major Field of Study Requirements
Math
紼插泭141Calculus I 1,24
紼插泭241Calculus II 1,24
紼插泭242Calculus III4
紼插泭305Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices3
釦啦泭370Probability and Statistics for Engineers3
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 Elective3
CSC Major
唬釦唬泭116Introduction to Computing - Java 23
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226Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 23
唬釦唬泭230C and Software Tools3
唬釦唬泭246Concepts and Facilities of Operating Systems for Computer Scientists3
唬釦唬泭316Data Structures and Algorithms3
唬釦唬泭326Software Engineering4
唬釦唬泭333Automata, Grammars, and Computability3
唬釦唬泭379Ethics in Computing1
唬釦唬泭492Senior Design Project3
Other Major
CSC Restricted Elective3
Other Restricted Electives 300+3
楚捧勞泭331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
Concentration Courses/Groups/Electives
唬釦唬泭481Game Engine Foundations 23
CSC Games Core 23
CSC Games Restricted Elective 26
Games Restricted Electives9
Games Project (verify requirement) 4
College Requirements
楚泭101Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1,31
楚泭102Engineering in the 21st Century 22
楚泭115Introduction to Computing Environments 11
楚唬泭205Fundamentals of Economics3
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 1,34
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Additional Breadth3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement)
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours121

Basic Science Elective

BIO ***
CH泭201Chemistry - A Quantitative Science3
MEA ***
PB ***
PY泭123Stellar and Galactic Astronomy3
PY泭124Solar System Astronomy3
PY泭328Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics3
PY泭341Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology3
PY泭401Quantum Physics I3
PY泭402Quantum Physics II3
PY泭407Introduction to Modern Physics3
PY泭411Mechanics I3
PY泭412Mechanics II3
PY泭413Thermal Physics3
PY泭414Electromagnetism I3
PY泭415Electromagnetism II3
ZOO ***

CSC Games Core

CSC泭461Computer Graphics3
CSC泭486Computational Visual Narrative3

CSC Games Restricted Electives

CSC泭411Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
CSC泭454Human-Computer Interaction3
CSC泭461Computer Graphics3
CSC泭462Advanced Computer Graphics Projects3
CSC 48*3
CSC泭582Computer Models of Interactive Narrative3
CSC泭584Building Game AI3

Games Restricted Electives

CSC泭281Foundations of Interactive Game Design3
COM泭327Critical Analysis of Communication Media3
COM泭427Game Studies3
ENG泭282Introduction to Film3
ENG泭288Fiction Writing3
ENG泭376Science Fiction3
ENG泭377Fantasy3
ENG泭492Special Topics in Film Styles and Genres3
MUS泭306Music Composition with Computers3

Other Restricted Electives 300+

CSC Restricted Elective Courses1-6
ACC泭310Intermediate Financial Accounting I3
ACC泭311Intermediate Financial Accounting II3
ACC泭330An Introduction To Income Taxation3
ACC泭340Accounting Information Systems3
ARS泭306Music Composition with Computers3
BUS泭320Financial Management3
BUS泭340Information Systems Management3
BUS泭360Marketing Methods3
BUS 4**
CHE泭435Process Systems Analysis and Control3
CHE泭465Colloidal and Nanoscale Engineering3
CSC泭427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
CSC泭428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
EC 3**
EC 4**
EC 5**
ECE 3** (except for ECE泭309)
ECE 4**
ECE 5**
EMS泭480Teaching Mathematics with Technology3
GC泭3203D Spatial Relations3
GC泭350Applied CAD/D and Geometric Controls3
GC泭420Visual Thinking3
GN 5**
ISE泭311Engineering Economic Analysis3
ISE泭361Deterministic Models in Industrial Engineering3
ISE 4**
ISE 5**
LOG泭335Symbolic Logic3
LOG泭435Advanced Logic & Metamathematics3
LOG泭535Advanced Logic and Metamathematics3
MA泭302Numerical Applications to Differential Equations1
MA泭341Applied Differential Equations I3
MA泭351Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models3
MA泭401Applied Differential Equations II3
MA泭402Mathematics of Scientific Computing3
MA泭403Introduction to Modern Algebra3
MA泭405Introduction to Linear Algebra3
MA泭407Introduction to Modern Algebra for Mathematics Majors3
MA泭408Foundations of Euclidean Geometry3
MA泭410Theory of Numbers3
MA泭412Long-Term Actuarial Models3
MA泭413Short-Term Actuarial Models3
MA泭425Mathematical Analysis I3
MA泭426Mathematical Analysis II3
MA泭427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
MA泭428Introduction to Numerical Analysis II3
MA泭430Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences3
MA泭432Mathematical Models in Life Sciences3
MA泭437Applications of Algebra3
MA泭440Game Theory3
MA 5**
MAE 3**
MAE 4**
MAE 5**
MIE 3**
MIE 4**
MSE 3**
MSE 4**
MSE 5**
MUS泭306Music Composition with Computers3
NE 3**
NE 4**
NE 5**
OR 5**
PHI泭425Introduction to Cognitive Science3
PSY泭307Industrial and Organizational Psychology3
PSY泭340Human Factors Psychology3
PSY泭400Perception3
PSY泭420Cognitive Processes3
PSY泭425Introduction to Cognitive Science3
PY 4**
PY 5**
ST泭372Introduction to Statistical Inference and Regression3
ST 4**
ST 5**

CSC Restricted Electives泭

CSC泭236Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists3
CSC泭302Introduction to Numerical Methods3
CSC泭342Applied Web-based Client-Server Computing3
CSC泭401Data and Computer Communications Networks3
CSC泭402Networking Projects3
CSC泭405Computer Security3
CSC泭406Architecture Of Parallel Computers3
CSC泭411Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
CSC泭412Compiler Construction3
CSC泭414Foundations of Cryptography3
CSC泭415Software Security3
CSC泭416Introduction to Combinatorics3
CSC泭417Theory of Programming Languages3
CSC泭419DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices3
CSC泭422Automated Learning and Data Analysis3
CSC泭431File Organization and Processing3
CSC泭433Privacy in the Digital Age3
CSC泭440Database Management Systems3
CSC泭442Introduction to Data Science3
CSC泭447Introduction to Cloud Computing3
CSC泭450Web Services3
CSC泭453Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) Systems3
CSC泭454Human-Computer Interaction3
CSC泭455Social Computing and Decentralized Artificial Intelligence3
CSC泭456Computer Architecture and Multiprocessors3
CSC泭461Computer Graphics3
CSC泭462Advanced Computer Graphics Projects3
CSC泭467Multimedia Technology3
CSC泭471Modern Topics in Cybersecurity3
CSC泭472Cybersecurity Projects3
CSC泭474Network Security3
唬釦唬泭481Game Engine Foundations3
CSC泭482Advanced Computer Game Projects3
CSC泭484Building Game AI3
CSC泭486Computational Visual Narrative3
CSC泭495Special Topics in Computer Science1-6
唬釦唬泭498Independent Study in Computer Science3
唬釦唬泭499Independent Research in Computer Science1-6
CSC 5**
ECE泭482Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development I3
ECE泭483Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development II3
MA泭414Foundations of Cryptography3
MA泭416Introduction to Combinatorics3
ST泭442Introduction to Data Science3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Semester Sequence4, 5

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
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
Hours14
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
Hours16
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
Hours16
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
Hours15
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
Hours15
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
Hours15
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
Hours15
Spring Semester
CSC Restricted Elective 3
CSC Games Restricted Elective 2 3
Games Restricted Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
Hours15
Total Hours121

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.