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Academic Catalog 2021-2022

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  • Computer Science and Game Development, BS

Computer Science and Game Development, BS

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
    • Admission
    • Information for Entering Students
    • College Expenses
    • Academic Policies and Procedures
    • University Academics
    • College of Arts, Media and Design
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
    • Khoury College of Computer Sciences
      • Computer Science
      • Cybersecurity
      • Data Science
      • Khoury Combined Majors
        • Chemical Engineering and Computer Science, BSChE
        • Civil Engineering and Computer Science, BSCE
        • Computer Engineering and Computer Science, BSCmpE
        • Computer Science and Behavioral Neuroscience, BS
        • Computer Science and Biology, BS
        • Computer Science and Business Administration, BS
        • Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology, BS
        • Computer Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Computer Science and Criminal Justice, BS
        • Computer Science and Design, BS
        • Computer Science and Economics, BS
        • Computer Science and English, BS
        • Computer Science and Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Computer Science and Game Development, BS
        • Computer Science and History, BS
        • Computer Science and Journalism, BS
        • Computer Science and Linguistics, BS
        • Computer Science and Mathematics, BS
        • Computer Science and Media Arts, BS
        • Computer Science and Music with Concentration in Music Technology, BS
        • Computer Science and Philosophy, BS
        • Computer Science and Physics, BS
        • Computer Science and Political Science, BS
        • Computer Science and Sociology, BS
        • Computer Science and Theatre, BS
        • Cybersecurity and Business Administration, BS
        • Cybersecurity and Criminal Justice, BS
        • Cybersecurity and Economics, BS
        • Data Science and Biochemistry, BS
        • Data Science and Biology, BS
        • Data Science and Behavioral Neuroscience, BS
        • Data Science and Business Administration, BS
        • Data Science and Chemistry, BS
        • Data Science and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, BS
        • Data Science and Economics, BS
        • Data Science and Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, BS
        • Data Science and Health Science, BS
        • Data Science and Journalism, BS
        • Data Science and Linguistics, BS
        • Data Science and Mathematics, BS
        • Data Science and Physics, BS
        • Data Science and Psychology, BS
      • Accelerated Bachelor/​Graduate Degree Programs
    • College of Engineering
    • Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    • College of Science
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study

The computer science and game development combined major focuses on the specific skills needed to succeed in the highly competitive game industry. Students will engage in building and developing games and playable media experiences while completing courses in computer science and specialized game technology and design. Interdisciplinary courses enable students to develop their creative and entrepreneurial abilities, as well as create a strong portfolio of game pieces.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

Computer Science Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Computer Science Overview
CS 1200First Year Seminar1
or ARTF 1000 Art and Design at Northeastern
CS 1210Professional Development for Khoury Co-op1
or EEAM 2000 Professional Development for Co-op
Computer Science Fundamental Courses
CS 1800
and CS 1802
Discrete Structures
and Seminar for CS 1800
5
CS 2500
and CS 2501
Fundamentals of Computer Science 1
and Lab for CS 2500
5
CS 2510
and CS 2511
Fundamentals of Computer Science 2
and Lab for CS 2510
5
Computer Science Required Courses
CS 3000Algorithms and Data4
CS 3500
and CS 3501
Object-Oriented Design
and Lab for CS 3500
5
CS 3520Programming in C++ (Integrative course)4
CS 3540Game Programming (Integrative course)4
CS 3650Computer Systems4
CS 3700Networks and Distributed Systems4
CS 4300Computer Graphics (Integrative course)4
CS 4500Software Development4
or CS 4530 Fundamentals of Software Engineering
CS 4850Building Game Engines (Integrative course)4
Computer Science Elective Course
CS 4150Game Artificial Intelligence (Integrative course)4
or IS 4300 Human Computer Interaction

Game Design Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Game Design Required
GAME 1110Games and Society4
GAME 2500Foundations of Game Design4
GAME 2950Game Studio4
GAME 3400Level Design and Game Architecture4
GAME 3700Rapid Idea Prototyping for Games4
GAME 3800Game Concept Development4
GAME 4700Game Design Capstone4
Game Design Elective
GAME 1850Experimental Game Design4
or GAME 3300 Game Interface Design
Khoury/Game-Related Electives
Complete three of the following:12
Any course in ARTD, ARTE, ARTF, ARTG, ARTH, and GAME subject areas as long as prerequisites have been met.
CS 2500 or higher, except CS 5010
CY 2000 or higher, except CY 4930
DS 2500 or higher, except DS 4900
IS 2000 or higher, except IS 4900
MATH 1342
Calculus 2 for Science and Engineering
MATH 2331
Linear Algebra
ECON 2350
Statistics
or PSYC 2320
Statistics in Psychological Research

Supporting Courses

Course List
Code Title Hours
Psychology
PSYC 1101Foundations of Psychology4
Mathematics
Complete two courses from the following:8
MATH 1260
Math Fundamentals for Games (Integrative course)
MATH 1341
Calculus 1 for Science and Engineering
MATH 1342 or higher

Computer Science Writing Requirement

Course List
Code Title Hours
College Writing
ENGW 1111First-Year Writing4
Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
Students are strongly encouraged to take Advanced Writing in the Technical Professions (ENGW 3302) but may substitute Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines (ENGW 3315).
ENGW 3302Advanced Writing in the Technical Professions4
or ENGW 3315 Interdisciplinary Advanced Writing in the Disciplines

Required General Electives

Course List
Code Title Hours
Complete 12 semester hours of general electives.12

Khoury College GPA Requirements

Minimum 2.000 GPA required in all CS, CY, DS, and IS courses.

NUpath Requirements Satisfied

  • Engaging with the Natural and Designed World
  • Exploring Creative Expression and Innovation 
  • Conducting Formal and Quantitative Reasoning
  • Analyzing and Using Data
  • Writing in the First Year
  • Advanced Writing in the Disciplines
  • Writing-Intensive in the Major
  • Understanding Societies and Institutions
  • Demonstrating Thought and Action in a Capstone

Integrating Knowledge and Skills through Experience is satisfied through co-op.

Program Requirement

133 total semester hours required

Sample Pattern, Four Years, Two Co-ops

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 1200 or ARTF 10001CS 2510
and CS 2511
5CS 3500
and CS 3501
5Vacation0
CS 1800
and CS 1802
5GAME 25004Math Elective 4 
CS 2500
and CS 2501
5Math Elective4  
ENGW 11114Elective4  
GAME 11104   
 19 17 9 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
CS 3520 (*)4CS 1210 or EEAM 20001Elective4Co-op
CS 30004CS 3540 (*)4Elective4 
GAME 29504CS 36504  
GAME 34004GAME 37004  
 Khoury/game elective4  
 16 17 8 0
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Co-op0CS 4850 (*)4Co-op0Co-op0
 CS 43004  
 ENGW 33024  
 PSYC 11014  
 0 16 0 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours Summer 2Hours
CS 37004GAME 47004 Vacation0
CS 45004Computer science elective4  
GAME 38004Khoury/game elective4  
Khoury/game elective4Game Design Elective4  
 16 16  0
Total Hours: 134

*Indicates courses that must be taken in the semester listed.

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  • 2021-22 Undergraduate PDF

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