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.
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation is a project-based program that aims to transform students into multidisciplinary developers and designers. The program uniquely equips students to anticipate, create, and construct software and immersive experiences to solve complex problems and aid in the mastery of challenging expertise.
This degree enables graduates to design and build interactive technologies underlying simulations for use in industrial enterprise, aviation, entertainment, serious games, military science, and new growth areas of spatial computing. The curriculum combines aspects of computer science, software engineering, game design, animation, world building, interactive media, simulation, mathematics, physics, and data visualization.
The program emphasizes industry-standard approaches, combining technical and creative problem-solving skills and critical thinking. 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 also for 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 125 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, mathematics, computer programming, 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 (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 150 | Physics for Engineers I | |
| PSY 321 | Psychology of Gaming (or Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective) | 3 |
| Psychology or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation Core (87 Credits)
| CI 311 | Securing Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CS 213 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 225 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 415 | Human-Computer Interfaces | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 455 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| SE 300 | Software Engineering Practices | 3 |
| SIM 115 | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| SIM 150 | Games Systems I | 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 235 | Graphics Processing | 3 |
| SIM 250 | Game Systems 2: Multiplayer | 3 |
| SIM 304 | World Building IV Motion | 3 |
| SIM 315 | Interactive Media II | 3 |
| SIM 321 | Computer Modeling/Simulation | 3 |
| SIM 335 | Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIM 350 | Visualization and Virtual Reality Games III | 3 |
| SIM 445 | Advance Graphics Processing | 3 |
| SIM 450 | Game Systems 4: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| SIM 480 | Capstone I | 3 |
| SIM 481 | Capstone II | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Total Credits | 125 | |
Simulation Science, Games, and Animation
| Freshman Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Credits | ||
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| CS 125 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| EGR 115 | Introduction to Computing for Engineers | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| SIM 115 | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| SIM 150 | Games Systems I | 3 |
| SIM 201 | World Building I, Modeling | 3 |
| SIM 202 | World Building II Materials | 3 |
| SIM 215 | Interactive Media I | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Humanities Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 33.0 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| CS 225 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| MA 225 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| MA 314 | Applied Linear Algebra & Statistics | 3 |
| PS 113 | Introductory Physics I | 3 |
or PS 150
|
Physics for Engineers I | |
| SIM 203 | World Building III Mechanics | 3 |
| SIM 205 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| SIM 235 | Graphics Processing | 3 |
| SIM 304 | World Building IV Motion | 3 |
| Psychology or Social Science Lower-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| CS 213 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 455 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| SIM 250 | Game Systems 2: Multiplayer | 3 |
| SIM 315 | Interactive Media II | 3 |
| SIM 335 | Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIM 350 | Visualization and Virtual Reality Games III | 3 |
| SIM 445 | Advance Graphics Processing | 3 |
| Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective | 3 | |
| Natural Science Elective with Lab | 4 | |
| Credits Subtotal | 31.0 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| CI 311 | Securing Computer Networks | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| CS 415 | Human-Computer Interfaces | 3 |
| CS 420 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| PSY 321 | Psychology of Gaming (OR Humanities or Social Science Upper-Level Elective) | 3 |
| SE 300 | Software Engineering Practices | 3 |
| SIM 321 | Computer Modeling/Simulation | 3 |
| SIM 450 | Game Systems 4: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| SIM 480 | Capstone I | 3 |
| SIM 481 | Capstone II | 3 |
| Credits Subtotal | 30.0 | |
| Credits Total: | 125.0 | |
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Summary
124-125 Credits
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