COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a Game Design and Development concentration at the University of New Haven is a STEM-designated and CAC/ABET-accredited program designed to prepare students for careers in game development, interactive media, simulation systems, and entertainment software engineering. Grounded in ACM computing standards, the program combines a rigorous computer science core with specialized training in game design, interactive systems, and advanced graphics-based technologies. Students begin with foundational coursework in programming, discrete mathematics, data structures, computer organization, and software engineering, along with essential communication and technical writing skills. As they progress, they move into intermediate and advanced computer science topics such as databases, operating systems, networking technologies, algorithms, and systems programming, ensuring a strong technical foundation in both software and hardware principles.The concentration builds on this base with a structured sequence of game-focused courses, including introduction to game development, intermediate game development, applied artificial intelligence for games, extended reality (XR) development, and interactive virtual environments. These courses emphasize the design and implementation of immersive digital experiences, combining real-time rendering, physics simulation, artificial intelligence behavior systems, and user interaction design. Students also gain experience in advanced C++ programming, software architecture, and computational problem solving to support enterprise-level game production. A required internship or research experience provides industry exposure, while a two-semester capstone software project simulates professional game studio workflows where students collaborate to design, build, and test complex interactive systems from concept to completion.Additional requirements in mathematics, laboratory science, and restricted electives allow students to deepen analytical and technical skills or tailor their studies toward areas such as artificial intelligence, graphics programming, or software engineering. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on teamwork, communication, and ethical responsibility in computing practice. Graduates are prepared for roles such as game developer, game designer, gameplay programr, technical artist, or interactive media engineer, and are also well-positioned for further study in computer science or game technology fields.