Bachelor of Science in
Simulation Science, Games and Animation
Designed to provide a solid foundation in simulation science, game animation and world-building. This program prepares students for career paths that include game design, simulation science and software development.
Earn Your Degree in Game Design
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, game production 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.
Develop Software for Simulation Science
The SSGA degree requires diligence in:
- Game design
- Digital media
- Computer science
- Simulation
- Statistical modeling
- Spatial computing
- Software engineering
- Storytelling
These skills merge the curriculum into a coordinated, coherent major. The breadth and depth designated for areas of study provide a functional and integrated degree experience.
Specialize in 3D Animation & Programming
The program consists of project-based production courses, where students design virtual worlds and user experiences requiring team-based development in video games, spatial computing and simulations using industry-standard applications and cutting-edge equipment.
Example courses include:
- Games Systems
- Interactive Media
- World Building
- 3D Animation
- Multiplayer Systems
- Game Engine Architecture
- Artificial Intelligence
- Mixed Reality
- User Interface Design
- Systems Simulation
- Procedural Simulation
- Data Visualization
- Data Structures and Algorithms
Qualify for Careers in Film, Gaming & Simulation Industries
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
A Degree for Game & Simulation Design
Embry-Riddle's 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 program can expect to find rewarding careers in game design, entertainment or software development. 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, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon, Forge FX Simulation, Win Reality, Super League, Police Training Simulations and Iridium Satellite Communications.
Career Outcomes for Graduates
In 2021, the median annual wage for software developers was over $109,000 per year. Employment of software developers is projected to grow 25% by 2031, much faster than the national 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.
Students will:
- Use prototyping to test and refine new ideas for larger scale-development.
- Construct interactive programs using software development principles and methods.
- Create appealing user experience employing principles and methods of engaging storytelling, worldbuilding, and interface design.
- Apply software design principles to produce functional and informative user experiences.
- Incorporate aesthetic concepts in content creation.
- Synthesize technical and creative domains to solve design problems.
- Collaborate to maturely exchange and interact with different ideas through conflict, analysis and consensus.
- Effectively exchange constructive criticism.
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
General Education
Embry-Riddle degree programs require students to complete a minimum of 36 hours of General Education coursework. For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog.
Students may choose other classes outside of their requirements, but doing so can result in the student having to complete more than the degree's 127 credit hours. This will result in additional time and cost to the student.
| Communication Theory and Skills | 9 | |
| Computer Science/Information Technology | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Physical and Life Sciences (Natural Sciences) | 6 | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 12 | |
3 hours of Lower-Level Humanities | ||
3 hours of Lower-Level Social Science | ||
3 hours of Lower-Level or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science | ||
3 hours of Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation Core (124 Credits)
The following course of study outlines the quickest and most cost-efficient route for students to earn their B.S. in Simulation Science, Games, and Animation. Students are encouraged to follow the course of study to ensure they complete all program required courses and their prerequisites within four years.
Courses in the core with a # will satisfy your general education requirements.
| COM 122 | English Composition # | 3 |
| 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 |
| General Education - Communications Elective # | 6 | |
| General Education - Humanities Lower-Level Elective # | 3 | |
| General Education - Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective # | 3 | |
| General Education - Natural Science Elective with Lab # | 4 | |
| MA 225 | Introduction to Discrete Structures # | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I # | 4 |
| MA 314 | Applied Linear Algebra & Statistics | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| SIM 482 | Capstone I and Lab | 4 |
| SIM 483 | Capstone II and Lab | 4 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
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
- #
General Education Courses
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 335 | Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIM 350 | Visualization and Virtual Reality Games III | 3 |
| SIM 401 | Character Design & Production | 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 331 | Simulation II Procedural Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 415 | User Interface Design | 3 |
| SIM 450 | Game Systems 4: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 15.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Communications Elective | 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 | ||
| Communications Elective | 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
124-125 Credits
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