腦瞳排桴

腦瞳排桴 Catalog 2025-2026

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泭插詁楚啦,泭.泭

Students complete the standard set of engineering first-year courses, which include courses in the humanities, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computing. 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 specify, design, implement, test, and deploy computer and software systems. Core courses provide a foundation for all students in programming languages, data structures, software engineering, systems, 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泭泭may 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.

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 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 Electives3
Other Restricted Electives - Group B3
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 Electives 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 32
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 Elective3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours121
1

College of Engineering CODA classes.

2

A grade of C or higher is required.

3

A grade of C- or higher is required.

4

Students must complete a departmentally approved Games-focused project as part of 唬釦唬泭492, 唬釦唬泭490, or 唬釦唬泭499.

Basic Science Electives

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 and Media Studies3
MUS泭306Music Composition with Computers3

Other Restricted Electives - Group B

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
DSC泭405Data Wrangling and Web Scraping1
DSC泭406Exploratory Data Analysis for Big Data1
DSC泭410Data Internship Preparation for Social Impact1
DSC泭412Exploring Machine Learning1
EC 3**
EC 4**
EC 5**
ECE 3** (except for ECE泭309)
ECE 4**
ECE 5**
EED泭401Teaching Undergraduate Engineers3
棗娶泭EED泭501 Teaching Undergraduate Engineers
EED泭411Societal Foundations for Engineering Education3
棗娶泭EED泭511 Societal Foundations for Engineering Education
EED泭414Ethics for Engineering Education3
棗娶泭EED泭514 Ethics for Engineering Education
EED泭495Special Topics in Engineering Education1-3
EED泭502Engineering Education : Content, Assessment, and Pedagogy3
EED泭509Field Experiences in Engineering Education3
EED泭595Special Topics in Engineering Education1-3
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 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
棗娶泭CSC泭580 Numerical Analysis I
CSC泭342Applied Web-based Client-Server Computing3
CSC泭401Data and Computer Communications Networks3
棗娶泭CSC泭573 Internet Protocols
CSC泭402Networking Projects3
CSC泭405Computer Security3
CSC泭406Architecture Of Parallel Computers3
棗娶泭CSC泭506 Architecture Of Parallel Computers
CSC泭408Software Product Management3
CSC泭411Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
棗娶泭CSC泭520 Artificial Intelligence I
CSC泭412Compiler Construction3
棗娶泭CSC泭512 Compiler Construction
CSC泭414Foundations of Cryptography3
棗娶泭CSC泭514 Foundations of Cryptography
CSC泭415Software Security3
棗娶泭CSC泭515 Software Security
CSC泭416Introduction to Combinatorics3
CSC泭417Theory of Programming Languages3
CSC泭418Software Analysis and Design3
CSC泭419DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices3
棗娶泭CSC泭519 DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices
CSC泭422Automated Learning and Data Analysis3
棗娶泭CSC泭522 Automated Learning and Data Analysis
CSC泭431File Organization and Processing3
CSC泭433Privacy in the Digital Age3
棗娶泭CSC泭533 Privacy in the Digital Age
CSC泭440Database Management Systems3
棗娶泭CSC泭540 Database Management Concepts and Systems
CSC泭442Introduction to Data Science3
CSC泭447Introduction to Cloud Computing3
棗娶泭CSC泭547 Cloud Computing Technology
CSC泭450Web Services3
CSC泭451Robot Motion Planning3
CSC泭453Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) Systems3
CSC泭454Human-Computer Interaction3
棗娶泭CSC泭554 Human-Computer Interaction
CSC泭455Social Computing and Decentralized Artificial Intelligence3
棗娶泭CSC泭555 Social Computing and Decentralized Artificial Intelligence
CSC泭456Computer Architecture and Multiprocessors3
棗娶泭CSC泭506 Architecture Of Parallel Computers
CSC泭461Computer Graphics3
棗娶泭CSC泭561 Principles of Computer Graphics
CSC泭462Advanced Computer Graphics Projects3
棗娶泭CSC泭562 Introduction to Game Engine Design
CSC泭467Introduction to Quantum Algorithms3
CSC泭469Quantum Programming3
CSC泭471Modern Topics in Cybersecurity3
CSC泭472Cybersecurity Practicum3
CSC泭474Network Security3
棗娶泭CSC泭574 Computer and Network Security
唬釦唬泭481Game Engine Foundations3
棗娶泭CSC泭581 Game Engine Foundations
CSC泭482Advanced Computer Game Projects3
CSC泭484Building Game AI3
棗娶泭CSC泭584 Building Game AI
CSC泭486Computational Visual Narrative3
唬釦唬泭490Independent Study in Computer Science1-6
CSC泭491Special Topics in Computer Science1-6
唬釦唬泭499Independent Research in Computer Science1-6
CSC泭501Operating Systems Principles3
CSC泭503Computational Applied Logic3
CSC泭505Design and Analysis Of Algorithms3
CSC泭510Software Engineering3
CSC泭517Object-Oriented Design and Development3
CSC泭530Computational Methods for Molecular Biology3
CSC泭537Systems Attacks and Defenses3
CSC泭541Advanced Data Structures3
CSC泭542Neural Networks and Deep Learning3
CSC泭546Management Decision and Control Systems3
CSC泭548Parallel Systems3
CSC泭563Visual Interfaces for Mobile Devices3
CSC泭565Graph Theory3
CSC泭568Enterprise Storage Architecture3
CSC泭570Computer Networks3
CSC泭572Optimizations and Algorithms3
CSC泭575Introduction to Wireless Networking3
CSC泭576Networking Services: QoS, Signaling, Processes3
CSC泭577Switched Network Management3
CSC泭578LTE and 5G Communications3
CSC泭582Computer Models of Interactive Narrative3
CSC泭583Introduction to Parallel Computing3
CSC泭591Special Topics In Computer Science1-6
CSC泭595Cybersecurity Practicum3
ECE泭482Engineering Entrepreneurship Senior Design I3
ECE泭483Engineering Entrepreneurship Senior Design 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

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, 3 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 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 Elective - Group B 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
1

College of Engineering CODA classes.

2

A grade of C or higher is 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 (2) 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CSC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.泭 Games concentration students are prepared to design and develop the games of the future.

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.

Career Titles

  • Architectural Drafters
  • Business Intelligence Analysts
  • Clinical Data Managers
  • Computer and Information Scientists
  • Computer and Information Systems Managers
  • Computer Hardware Engineers
  • Computer Network Architects
  • Computer Programmer
  • Computer Science Professor
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Computer Systems Engineer
  • Computer User Support Specialist
  • Data Warehousing Specialists
  • Database Administrator
  • Information Security Analysts
  • Information Technology Project Managers
  • IT Administrator (Information Technology)
  • Mathematician
  • Project Management Specialists
  • Robotics Engineers
  • Scientific Linguist
  • Software Developer
  • Software Engineer
  • Technical & Scientific Publications Editor
  • Technical Publications Writer
  • Video Game Designer
  • Web Art Director
  • Webmaster

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Professional Organizations & Societies

  • 泭(ACM)
  • 泭(AITP)
  • 泭(NSPE)