Program Objectives
The Gaming and Interactive Media (GAIM) Program at Felician University educates students in the necessary skills, knowledge, as well as aesthetic and critical sensibilities, to effectively communicate ideas through video games and related interactive media. Our interdisciplinary approach offers a variety of courses in computer science and the humanities. The objective of the GAIM Program is to emphasize an understanding of the field, both as an academic discipline as well as a profession, teaching hard science skills in concert with critical thought and creativeforms of expression. Courses include Scripting Languages, Game Development, Animation, Screenwriting, Videomaking, New Media History, and more.
Through this rigorous and dynamic curriculum, graduates of the GAIM Program will have an understanding of aesthetic and critical issues in the design of computer graphics and interactive media, effectively use appropriate technology tools, and have an appreciation for the ethics of the creative process.
Graduates will also be able to implement a variety of creative skills and techniques, as well as produce games and interactive media in a range of forms and styles. In terms of specifically technical skills, graduates will be able to analyze gaming and interactive media requirements, design and develop different games by using the best principles of the game design process, such as graphics attributes, geometric transformation, 2-Dimensional and 3- Dimensional viewing, lighting, shading, texture, and animation. Through survey knowledge of the field, they will be able to critique existing and new works, while also being able to recognize trends and understand the impact of gaming and interactive media on individuals and society.
Ultimately, GAIM graduates will be able to integrate and synthesize their skills, techniques, knowledge, and experience into a powerful career strategy.
Evaluation and Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan
i. Faith & Reason: Analyze the local and global impact of gaming design and interactive media technologies on individuals, organizations, and society through a Franciscan lens.
ii. Ethics, Values, and Truth: Judge situations and be willing to take a lead role concerning ethical, legal, social, and technology-based issues and responsibilities as a professional in the Gaming and Interactive Media industries.
iii. Communication and Expression: Communicate graphically, orally, visually, and in writing, while employing the professional skills and techniques used in the design, development, and documentation of games, within a team environment to accomplish a
common goal.
iv. Critical and Analytical Thinking: Critically assess and analyze game requirements, specific design challenges, and the principles of visual organization as expressed through projects and presentations utilizing traditional media, graphics software, and Web design elements.
In order to declare the Gaming and Interactive Media major, students must meet the following
requirements:
- Must meet Felician University admission requirements.
- Completion of Program application by deadline.
- Maintain an Institutional GPA of 2.75 or better.
- Applicants must have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average with a minimum grade of “C” in each required course. 16
- Admitted students must maintain an Institutional GPA of 2.75 to remain in the Bachelor of Arts in Gaming and Interactive Media degree program and be eligible to enroll in the program’s courses. Once admitted to the GAIM program, students falling below the required 2.75 Institutional GPA will be required to improve their Institutional GPA to a 2.75 in order to be readmitted to the program. Also, as per University policy, students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in all major required coursework. The 2.75 GPA minimum will be evaluated each semester by the Dean’s Office.
- Graphic Designers: Graphic designers with Web site design and animation experience will especially be needed as demand increases for design projects using interactive media, Web sites, video games, cellular telephones, and other technologies.
- Software Developers, Applications, and System Software: Employment of computer software developers is projected to increase by 30 percent over the 2016-2026 period, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This occupation will generate about 324,000 new jobs, over the projection decade, one of the largest employment increases of any occupation.
- Web Developers: Employment of web developers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will be driven by the growing popularity of mobile devices and ecommerce.
- Multimedia Artists and Animators: Employment of multimedia artists and animators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Projected growth will be due to increased demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television.
- Art Directors: Employment of art directors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2016 to
2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Art directors will continue to be needed to oversee the work of graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and others engaged in artwork or layout design.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE GAMING AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA (GAIM)
| General Education Curricular Commons (GECC – 49 Credits) Theme Areas | |
| I. Faith and Reason (3 credits @ 100-200 level) RELS-105: Exploring Contemporary Moral Issues |
3 Credits |
| I. Faith and Reason (3 credits @ 300-400 level) RELS-301: Comparative World Religions |
3 Credits |
| II. Ethics, Values, and Truth (3 credits) PHIL-250: Making Moral Decisions |
3 Credits |
| III. Communication & Expression (3 credits) ENG-101: College Writing and Research I – Required |
3 Credits |
| III. Communication & Expression (3 credits) ART-101: Basic Drawing |
3 Credits |
| IV. Critical & Analytical Thinking (3 credits) PHIL-100: The Art and Practice of Critical Thinking |
3 Credits |
| V. Information Literacy (1 credit) LS-100: The Architecture of Information – Required (Taken in tandem with ENG-102) |
1 Credits |
| V. Information Literacy (3 credits) ENG-102: College Writing and Research II – Required |
3 Credits |
| VI. Technological Acumen CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science |
3 Credits |
| VII. Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning MATH-160: College Algebra |
4 Credits |
| VII. Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning (Lab Science – 4 credits) PHYS-103: General Physics I w/Lab |
4 Credits |
| VIII. Global Consciousness (6 credits) Choose From Area Options |
3 Credits |
| Choose From Area Options | 3 Credits |
| Liberal Arts Concentration 9 Credits | |
| Liberal Arts – MATH-161: Pre-Calculus | 4 Credits |
| Liberal Arts – PHIL-204: Philosophy of Technology – Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility | 3 Credits |
| Liberal Arts – Free Elective | 3 Credits |
| FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience I FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience II |
3 Credits |
| Computer Science Required Courses (24 Credits) | |
| CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language and Applications | 3 Credits |
| CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science (Note: included in GECC) | 3 Credits |
| CS-205: Web Development and Scripting Languages | 3 Credits |
| CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-391: Game Development I | 3 Credits |
| CS-392: Game Development II 3 | 3 Credits |
| CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics 3 | 3 Credits |
| CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics | 3 Credits |
| Art Required Courses (15 Credits) | |
| ART-101: Basic Drawing (Note: included in GECC) | 3 Credits |
| ART-103: Form, Space, and Time | 3 Credits |
| ART-104: Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 Credits |
| ART-265: Animation | 3 Credits |
| ART-274: Color & Digital Photography 3 | 3 Credits |
| ART-364: New Media History 3 | 3 Credits |
| Communications Required Courses (9 Credits) | |
| COMM-120: Film Analysis | 3 Credits |
| COMM-230: Screenwriting I | 3 Credits |
| COMM-240: Videomaking I | 3 Credits |
| COMM-241: Videomaking II (Optional) | 3 Credits |
| ART-274: Color & Digital Photography | 3 Credits |
| ART-364: New Media History | 3 Credits |
| Liberal Arts Concentration 9 Credits | |
| Liberal Arts – MATH-161: Pre-Calculus | 4 Credits |
| Liberal Arts – PHIL-204: Philosophy of Technology – Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility | 3 Credits |
| Liberal Arts – Free Elective | 3 Credits |
| FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience I FYE 100 Freshman Year Experience II |
3 Credits |
| Computer Science Required Courses (24 Credits) | |
| CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language and Applications | 3 Credits |
| CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science (Note: included in GECC) | 3 Credits |
| CS-205: Web Development and Scripting Languages | 3 Credits |
| CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-391: Game Development I | 3 Credits |
| CS-392: Game Development II 3 | 3 Credits |
| CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics 3 | 3 Credits |
| CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics | 3 Credits |
| Interdisciplinary Senior Project (3 Credits) | |
| GAIM-400: Gaming & Interactive Media Project | 3 Credits |
| Related Requirements (Note: All included in GECC) | |
| MATH-160: College Algebra | 4 Credits |
| MATH-161: Pre-Calculus | 4 Credits |
| PHYS-103: Physics I | 4 Credits |
| PHIL-204: Philosophy of Technology – Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility |
3 Credits |
| Free electives (18 Credits) to equal 120 Credits |
GECC + FYE = 51 Credits (Includes 6 Credits in Major & 15 Credits Related Requirements)
Major = 51 Credits (not counting credits for Major & Related Requirements already in GECC)
Free Electives = 18 Credits
120 Total Credits
| Computer Science Required Courses (24 Credits) | |
| CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language and Applications | 3 Credits |
| CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science (Note: included in GECC) | 3 Credits |
| CS-205: Web Development and Scripting Languages | 3 Credits |
| CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-391: Game Development I | 3 Credits |
| CS-392: Game Development II 3 | 3 Credits |
| CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics 3 | 3 Credits |
| CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics | 3 Credits |
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GAMING & INTERACTIVE MEDIA (GAIM)
Four Year Suggested Course Sequence
First Year
Fall
| Course # & Name | |
| ENG-101: College Writing & Research I GECC Area III |
3 Credits |
| GECC Area I (100-200 Level) | 3 Credits |
| CS-120: Introduction to Computer Science GECC Area VI |
3 Credits |
| MATH-160: College Algebra GECC Area VII |
4 Credits |
| FYE-100: First Year Experience I | 1 Credit |
| Total Credits (14 Credits) | |
Spring
| Course # & Name |
|
| ART-101 Basic Drawing GECC Area III |
3 Credits |
| CS-104: Introduction to Scripting Language & Applications |
3 Credits |
| ENG-102: College Writing & Research II GECC Area V |
3 Credits |
| LS-100 The Architecture of Information GECC Area V |
1 Credits |
| Liberal Arts Elective I – MATH-161: Pre-Calculus | 4 Credits |
| FYE-101: First Year Experience II | 1 Credit |
| Total Credits (15 Credits) | |
Second Year
Fall
| Course # & Name | |
| ART-103 Form, Space, and Time | 3 Credits |
| ART-104: Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 Credits |
| CS-205: Web Development & Scripting Languages | 3 Credits |
| PHIL-250: Making Moral Decisions GECC Area II |
3 Credits |
| PHIL-100: The Art & Practice of Critical Thinking GECC Area IV |
3 Credits |
| Total Credits (15 Credits) | |
Spring
| Course # & Name |
|
| ART-274: Color & Digital Photography | 3 Credits |
| COMM-120: Film Analysis | 3 Credits |
| COMM-230: Screenwriting I | 3 Credits |
| CS-299: Introduction to Mobile Application Development |
3 Credits |
| Liberal Arts Elective II – PHIL 204: Philosophy of Technology- Computer Ethics & Social Responsibility |
3 Credits |
| Total Credits (15 Credits) | |
Third Year
Fall
| Course # & Name | |
| ART-265: Animation | 3 Credits |
| CS-389: Foundations of Game Design & Development | 3 Credits |
| CS-391: Game Development I | 3 Credits |
| COMM-240: Videomaking I | 3 Credits |
| PHYS-103: General Physics I w/lab GECC Area VII |
4 Credits |
| Total Credits (14 Credits) | |
Spring
| Course # & Name |
|
| ART-364: New Media History | 3 Credits |
| CS-392: Game Development II | 3 Credits |
| GECC Area I (300-400 Level) | 3 Credits |
| COMM-241: Videomaking II (Optional) | 3 Credits |
| Global Consciousness Elective I GECC Area VIII |
3 Credits |
| Total Credits (15 Credits) | |
Fourth Year
Fall
| Course # & Name | |
| CS-497: Advanced Computer Graphics | 3 Credits |
| CS-498: Advanced Programming – 2D & 3D Graphics |
3 Credits |
| Global Consciousness Elective II GECC Area VIII |
3 Credits |
| Liberal Arts Elective III – Free Elective | 3 Credits |
| Free Elective or Minor or Internship | 3 Credits |
| Total Credits (15 Credits) | |
Spring
| Course # & Name |
|
| GAIM-400: Gaming & Interactive Media Project | 3 Credits |
| Free Elective or Minor or Internship | 3 Credits |
| Free Elective or Minor | 3 Credits |
| Free Elective or Minor | 3 Credits |
| Free Elective or Minor | 3 Credits |
| Total Credits (15 Credits) | |
