Bachelor of Science in
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation
As part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Simulation Science, Games and Animation (SSGA) department’s mission is to advance knowledge through content creation, interdisciplinary research and development, and to equip students with an essential foundation in Simulation Science, Games and Animation. A diverse community of committed faculty is preparing students for excellence as future leaders in constructing interactive, immersive experiences that leverage emerging technology to improve the human experience and foster lifelong critical and design thinking skills.
The SSGA degree requires diligence in; game design, digital media, computer science, simulation, statistical modeling, spatial computing, software engineering and general education that merge into a coordinated, coherent major. The breadth and depth designated for areas of study provide a functional and whole degree experience.
The program consists of project-based production courses, where students design virtual worlds and user experiences requiring development in spatial computing and simulations using industry-standard applications and cutting-edge equipment. Example courses include Games Systems, Interactive Media, World Building, Multiplayer Systems, Game Engine Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Mixed Reality, User Interface Design, Systems Simulation and Procedural Simulation.
Graduates of this program will be ready to work in a variety of industries from gaming to virtual training environments. Examples include building computer game software for Microsoft, designing virtual reality environments for The Boeing Company or working at the Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Office or one of its contractors.
DETAILS
About Simulation Science, Games, and Animation at the Prescott, AZ Campus
Embry-Riddle's new Simulation Science, Games and Animation Degree has been designed to provide students with a solid foundation in computer game technology and covers areas far and beyond just programming. With Embry-Riddle's unique strengths in aviation, engineering and intelligence, students receive a depth of knowledge unequaled in higher education.
Graduates of this programs can expect to find rewarding careers in game design, entertainment or software development, and they will also be positioned for careers in a vast array of other areas, such as military and intelligence communities, high-tech manufacturing or aviation. Recent graduates have been employed at Blizzard Entertainment, Mass Virtual, The Boeing Company, Forge FX Simulation, Win Reality, Super League and Police Training Simulations.
In 2012, the median annual wage for applications software developers was over $90,000 a year. The annual median wage for systems software developers was nearly $100,000 a year. Employment of software developers is projected to grow 22% by 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Embry-Riddle's expert instruction and guidance positions students for success in these roles after graduation.
The Simulation Science, Games and Animation degree offers a variety of STEM courses combined with aspects of art and design necessary to provide a first-rate education to students in this major.
With Embry-Riddle, you will be in the best possible position to succeed in a growing industry searching for quality, skilled professionals.
The Simulation Science, Games, and Animation Program’s mission is to advance knowledge through content creation, interdisciplinary research and development, and to equip students with an essential foundation in simulation science, games and animation. The curriculum prepares students for excellence as future leaders in constructing interactive, immersive experiences that leverage emerging technology to improve the human experience and foster lifelong critical and design thinking skills.
The SSGA degree requires diligence in computer science, game design, digital media, simulation, systems modeling, spatial computing, software engineering and general education that merge into a coordinated, coherent major. The breadth and depth designated for areas of study provide a functional and whole degree experience.
The program consists of project-based production courses, where students design virtual worlds and user experiences using industry-standard applications and cutting-edge equipment. Example courses include Games Systems, Interactive Media, World Building, Multiplayer Systems, Game Engine Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Mixed Reality, User Interface Design, Data Visualization, Systems and Procedural Simulation.
From these experiences, students can design real-time interactive systems from the ground up; build game systems to employ artificial intelligence, code, and content designed to generate compelling interactive models and virtual environments. Students design data-driven simulations for user-centered and multi-user training, management, scientific research, and concept exploration.
Graduates of this major can expect to find flexible options and rewarding career opportunities. Employment opportunities are possible in the established global entertainment industries, such as game design, game development, and a vast array of other areas, such as military and intelligence communities, high-tech manufacturing, aviation, and healthcare.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree can be earned in eight semesters assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. Successful completion of a minimum of 127 credit hours is required. Students entering this program should have demonstrated a competence in mathematics and science (preferably physics). They should be prepared to enter Calculus I, having demonstrated proficiency in algebra and trigonometry. The Simulation, Games and Animation program is designed to prepare students to work as part of a team on the development of simulation systems and games. Relevant concepts, methods, and techniques are integrated through the curriculum. The curriculum includes courses in general education, media arts, computer programming, mathematics, and software design.
Students should be aware that several courses in each academic year may have prerequisites and/or co-requisites.
Program Requirements (see attached)
General Education (38 Credits)
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| MA 225 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| MA 314 | Applied Linear Algebra & Statistics | 3 |
| Natural Science Elective with Lab | 4 | |
| PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
| or PS 215 | Physics I | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology (Or Social Science Lower Level Elective) | 3 |
| PSY 321 | Psychology of Gaming (or Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective) | 3 |
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation Core (86 Credits)
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CS 225 | Computer Science II * | 4 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms * | 3 |
| CS 455 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| DS 411 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| SIM 115 | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| SIM 150 | Games Systems I Introduction | 3 |
| SIM 201 | World Building I, Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 202 | World Building II Materials | 3 |
| SIM 203 | World Building III Mechanics | 3 |
| SIM 205 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| SIM 215 | Interactive Media I | 3 |
| SIM 251 | Game Systems II Multi-player | 3 |
| SIM 304 | World Building IV Motion | 3 |
| SIM 315 | Interactive Media II | 3 |
| SIM 321 | Simulation I Systems Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 331 | Simulation II Procedural Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 335 | Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIM 350 | Visualization and Virtual Reality Games III | 3 |
| SIM 401 | Character Design & Production | 3 |
| SIM 403 | Set & Environment Design | 3 |
| SIM 415 | User Interface Design | 3 |
| SIM 421 | Modeling & Simulation II | 3 |
| SIM 450 | Game Systems 4: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| SIM 482 | Capstone I and Lab | 4 |
| SIM 483 | Capstone II and Lab | 4 |
Technical Elective 3 Credits
| Choose One of the Following: | ||
| CS 213 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 305 | Database Systems and Data Mining | 3 |
| CS 317 | Files and Database Systems | 3 |
| CS 415 | Human-Computer Interfaces | 3 |
| SE 310 | Analysis and Design of Software Systems | 3 |
| SE 420 | Software Quality Assurance | 3 |
| Total Credits | 127 | |
| * | Offered in Fall Only |
| ** | Offered in Spring Only |
All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| SIM 201 | World Building I, Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 115 | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| SIM 150 | Games Systems I Introduction | 3 |
| SIM 202 | World Building II Materials | 3 |
| SIM 215 | Interactive Media I | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CS 225 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| MA 225 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
or PS 215
|
Physics I | |
| SIM 203 | World Building III Mechanics | 3 |
| SIM 251 | Game Systems II Multi-player | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| MA 314 | Applied Linear Algebra & Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology (Or Social Science Lower-Level Elective) | 3 |
| SIM 205 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| SIM 304 | World Building IV Motion | 3 |
| SIM 315 | Interactive Media II | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| SIM 321 | Simulation I Systems Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 331 | Simulation II Procedural Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 335 | Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIM 350 | Visualization and Virtual Reality Games III | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| CS 455 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| PSY 321 | Psychology of Gaming (or Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective) | 3 |
| SIM 401 | Character Design & Production | 3 |
| SIM 415 | User Interface Design | 3 |
| SIM 450 | Game Systems 4: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| DS 411 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| SIM 403 | Set & Environment Design | 3 |
| SIM 482 | Capstone I and Lab | 4 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 16.0 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Natural Science Elective with Lab | 4 | |
| SIM 421 | Modeling & Simulation II | 3 |
| SIM 483 | Capstone II and Lab | 4 |
| Credits Subtotal | 17.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 127.0 | |
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Summary
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