Course Catalog
  1. Home
  2. Course Catalog
  1. Home
  2. Catalogs
  3. Wiregrass Student Handbook and Catalog 2024-2025
  4. Programs
  5. Game Development, Diploma

Game Development, Diploma (CSD4)  Diploma

Campus Locations: Valdosta

Game Development is the academic field focused on the creation of electronic games. The field includes interactive graphics/animation programming, fundamental computer science, game design, studio art, electronic art, narrative storytelling, and critical game studies.

This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.

Program Outcomes: Upon graduation, students will have completed an internship in the game industry, developed a professional-quality portfolio, and demonstrated their design skills through thorough documentation.

Careers: Game Developer, Video Game Designer

Length of Program: 4 Terms

Admission Requirements:

Gainful Employment Information
Curriculum Outline (53 hours)
General Core Courses 8
MATH 1012

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Math Scores or MATH 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
ENGL 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Diploma Level Reading and Writing Scores OR READ 0090 and/or ENGL 0090 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

3
EMPL 1000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes human relations and professional development in today's rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills, and professional image skills.

2
Occupational Courses 45
CIST 1305

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None An introductory course that provides problem solving and programming concepts for those that develop user applications. An emphasis is placed on developing logic, troubleshooting, and using tools to develop solutions. Topics include: problem solving and programming concepts, structured programming, the four logic structures, file processing concepts, and arrays.

3
CIST 1001

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Provides an overview of information systems, computers and technology. Topics include: Information Systems and Technology Terminology, Computer History, Data Representation, Data Storage Concepts, Fundamentals of Information Processing, Fundamentals of Information Security, Information Technology Ethics, Fundamentals of Hardware Operation, Fundamentals of Networking, Fundamentals of the Internet, Fundamentals of Software Design Concepts, Fundamentals of Software, (System and Application), System Development Methodology, Computer Number Systems conversion (Binary and Hexadecimal), Mobile computing.

4
CIST 2740

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): CIST 1001 Introduction to video games genres, gaming evolution, gaming attributes, market environment, competition analysis, design document development, asset pipeline (development of game components), game mechanics (rules), technology architecture, platforms, story composition, interactive dialogue, statistical game balancing, project planning and prioritization for development schedules, creation of nonelectronic rapid prototypes with emphasis on the student's first exposure to game creation and mechanics.

4
CIST 2741

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 6 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 2740 Co-requisite(s): None Advanced Game Design incorporates all of the basic game design elements into a continuing production process, taking an idea from inception through completion in a timely and cost effective fashion. Each student will be expected to fulfill the duties of each member of a game design team, learning every aspect of the process in order to be able to substitute wherever and whenever necessary. It is suggested that the quality and completeness of a single, class-wide project have some universal impact on the grades of each student, further enforcing the notion that every team member not only participates in the project, but that the project itself affects in the success of each team member. Lab will use industry tools to rapidly prototype ideas into practical game mechanics and provide the foundation for future game projects.

3
COMP 1000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture -1.667; Lab – 2.667 Pre-Requisites: None Co-Requisite: None This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution.

3
Programming Elective - Choose One of the Following (4 Hours) 4
CIST 2311

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1305 Co-requisite(s): None Visual Basic I introduces event-driven programming. Common elements of Windows applications will be discussed created and manipulated using Microsoft's Visual Studio development environment. Topics include numeric data types and variables, decision making structures, arrays, validating input with strings and functions, repetition and multiple forms, test files, lists and common dialog controls.

4
CIST 2341

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1305 Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to teach the basic concepts and methods of objected-oriented design and C#.Net programming. Use practical problems to illustrate C#.Net application building techniques and concepts. Develop an understanding of C#.Net vocabulary. Create an understanding of where C#.Net fits in the application development landscape. Create an understanding of the C#.Net Development Environment, Visual Studio and how to develop, debug, and run C#.Net applications using the Visual Studio. Continue to develop student's programming logic skills. Topics include: C#.NET Language History, C#.NET Variable Definitions, C#.NET Control Structures, C#.NET Functions, C#.NET Classes, C#.NET Objects, and C#.NET Graphics.

4
CIST 2351

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1305 Co-requisite(s): CIST 1510 An introductory PHP programming course that teaches students how to create dynamic websites. Topics include: PHP and basic web programming concepts, installing PHP, embedding PHP in HTML, variables and constants, operators, forms, conditional statements, looping, arrays, and text files.

4
CIST 2361

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1305 Co-requisite(s): None Provides opportunity to gain a working knowledge of C++ programming. Includes creating, editing, executing, and debugging C++ programs of moderate difficulty. Topics include: basic C++ concepts, simple I/O and expressions, I/O and control statements, arrays, pointers, structures, managing data and developing programs.

4
CIST 2371

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): CIST 1305 Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to teach the basic concepts and methods of objected-oriented design and Java programming. Use practical problems to illustrate Java application building techniques and concepts. Develop an understanding of Java vocabulary. Create an understanding of where Java fits in the application development landscape. Create an understanding of the Java Development Kit and how to develop, debug, and run Java applications using the JDK. Continue to develop student's programming logic skills. Topics include: JAVA Language History, JAVA Variable Definitions, JAVA Control Structures, JAVA Methods, JAVA Classes, JAVA Objects, and JAVA Graphics.

4
83A2 - 3D Gaming Animation (24 Hours) 24
CIST 2730

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course is an introduction to the creation and manipulation of 3D objects. Topics include 3D types and tools, 3D objects, and inverse kinematics.

4
CIST 2731

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course is an intermediate class on the creation and manipulation of 3D objects. Topics include: 3D types and tools, UV mapping, and texture and animate 3D objects.

4
CIST 2732

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course covers 3D character creation and animation using key-framing and inverse kinematics. Topics include character setup, character design and animation.

4
CIST 2733

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course covers the creation and manipulation of 3D objects and animations in an actual 3D game engine using the latest in industry standard or open source software. Topics covered include graphic types, organizational methods, drawing tools, object modeling, character rigging, bones, nurb manipulation and normal mapping.

4
CIST 2734

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course is an intermediate look at the creation and manipulation of 3D objects and animations in an actual 3D game engine using the latest in industry standard or open source software. Topics covered include graphic types, organizational methods, drawing tools, advanced level design and material construction, volumes, physics and particle effects.

4
CIST 2736

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course covers the creation of 3D objects and the use of Motion Capture and its use in a 3D project. Topics include motion capture camera/sensor setup and 3D integration.

4
Faculty
Tim Drexler
Advisor

Computer Information Systems Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

(229) 333-2100 ext. 3049 | tim.drexler@wiregrass.edu
Morris Hall, Room 7253
Up one level
Programs of Study