Programme Specification for 2011/12

BSc (Hons) Games Technology

The games sector has grown to be a multi-billion dollar industry over the last decade throughout the world, employing thousands of computer programmers, designers and multimedia specialists. Looking at the requirements of the industry, it becomes clear that while traditional programming skills are still in demand, there are a lot of games-specific tools and techniques that traditional computer science graduates lack.

This programme aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We have consulted widely with many different games companies to find out what they require from students coming into the industry, and for people wanting to go into the technological side they have identified strong programming and mathematical skills as the focus, as well as a broad understanding of all aspects of games design and development.

The courses have been designed in conjunction with industry and are continually monitored to make sure that they match the needs of this exciting but fast changing business - our students will always have the opportunity to use many different types of hardware and software during their studies.

On successful completion of this degree programme students would be able to:

• design, develop and create interactive games on a variety of platforms;
• understand the programming theory needed to develop games on a variety of platforms;
• understand the mathematics required to produce 2D and 3D gaming environments;
• program and design in various commercial software environments;
• manage the development of interactive games;
• use principles of design and analysis to ensure their work is of the highest standard;
• communicate effectively with business, computing and design professionals.

What's the difference between ...
BSc (Hons) Games Technology and other digital media programmes?

Typical content
The following is an indication of current programme content. However, the rapidly changing nature of the subject area means that both the courses offered, and individual course content, are likely to change in future years. Finally note that certain combinations of options may not be available.
For details of timetabling and study patterns, see the timetables page. All courses are 30 credits unless otherwise stated.

Year One

• Computer Programming 1
• Multimedia Games Design & Development 1
• Communication Systems 1 - 15 credits
• Computer Systems Architectures 1 - 15 credits
• Discrete Mathematics & Combinatorics

Year Two

• Multimedia Games Design & Development 2
• Advanced Programming - 15 credits
• Computer Programming 2 - 15 credits
• Embedded Systems Programming 2 - 15 credits
• Operating Systems - 15 credits
• Linear Algebra

Optional Sandwich Year

For students who choose a sandwich degree, the third year is spent in industry or business on a fully paid work placement that we help to arrange. This option is open to all students and on successful completion of the sandwich year they return to complete the final year of the degree course. This is a highly valuable chance to experience the level of work expected in industry.

Year Three

• A substantial individual project based around developing a new multimedia game
• Multimedia Games Design & Development 3
• 3D Computer Graphics
• One course chosen from a range of options, e.g.: Artificial Intelligence, 3D Interactive Environments, Distributed Applications Development

Specifics

Career opportunities
Students graduating from this degree programme will be able to apply for a number of varied careers in the entertainment industry. The main focus is for successful graduates to work in the games industry (whether that be console/PC/Web/Mobile based, or a combination of these), but the skills acquired on the programme will also enable students to apply for other positions such as multimedia specialists, video editors/producers, audio editors/producers, 3D/2D animators, web design & development roles and many other exciting areas within creative computing environments.

Links
The final year degree show, held every year, gives some idea of the work the students produce; take a look at e-Motion and Digital FreeForm.

Location
This degree programme is based in the Department of Creative Digital Technologies, School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences, Greenwich Campus, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9LS.

Study mode
3 years full-time / 4 years sandwich / 6 years part-time

JACS/UCAS code
BSc (Hons) Games Technology - G457 BSc/GT