BSc/BEng/MEng Computer Games Design and Development Degrees
MEng Single Honours
MEng Single Honours (Sandwich)
Overview
Introduced in September 2007, the Computer Games Design and Development BSc/BEng/MEng programme (including an optional placement year) provides students with the necessary programming, content management and architectural design skills in preparation for a development-oriented career within the industry. This is an undergraduate degree with an optional additional year to earn an MEng.
Entrance Requirements
For students from the Republic of Ireland: At least 6 Bs at Higher Level to include either Mathematics or Physics. If Mathematics is not offered at Higher Level then at least grade B must be offered at Ordinary Level.
For students from Northern Ireland: BBB/ABB to include either Mathematics or Physics.
Applications should be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (i.e. UCAS). See
http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/admissions/
Contact
For any specific queries about the suitability of your qualifications or potential qualifications to apply for this degree please e-mail: admissions@qub.ac.uk (Tel: 028 9097 5081)
For general academic advice please e-mail comp.sci@qub.ac.uk
(Tel: 028 9097 4669 (9am–1pm & 2pm–5pm)
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/eeecs/
Course Content
The course is modular, with core modules defined in each year and pathways that allow an increasing degree of specialism as students’ progress from Stage 1 to Stage 4. Modules are combined across the stages to reflect the various themes within the degree.
Stage 1
This Stage is concerned with the development of core programming skills and the exploration of issues surrounding the design and development of computer and video games. A number of fundamental Computer Science topics are also explored.
Modules within this stage will include:
Principles behind game theory and game creation (including team-based game development)
Fundamentals of programming and algorithmic development
Theory and development of multimedia systems
Principles of computer architecture
Stage 2
Within this Stage students refine their core programming competencies through taking a range of modules that explore issues of relevance to game programming and Computer Science. Team-working and professional skills are also developed through team-based game development.
Modules within this stage will explore:
Games programming (using XNA)
Internet and network-based communications
Data structures and algorithm analysis
Sound and signal processing techniques
Principles of software engineering explored through team-based game development
Extended principles behind game theory and game creation
Professional development
Stage 3
This Stage is concerned with building specific games programming skills. Students will be offered a range of modules that cover core areas of games programming, for example, audio programming, AI programming, game engine programming, etc.
Modules within this stage will explore:
3D Game engine design and development
3D Graphics programming
Audio programming
Concurrent (multi-core) programming
Real-time physics programming
Live performance systems and interaction design
Sound recording / engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Agile and Component-based software development
Year of Professional Experience
Between Stage 3 and Stage 4 students undertake an optional full year’s paid industrial placement, the Year of Professional Experience. The placement year is an opportunity both to put into practice the principles learned to date in the course and gain practical experience in games design and development with an appropriate games development studio where possible. Students will receive assistance in obtaining a suitable placement.
Stage 4
In Stage 4 students develop specialism in games programming through the selection of research based modules and the completion of a games development research project. A number of these modules are closely linked to the research and consultancy expertise of staff and evolve and change rapidly to reflect some of the current, emerging, novel and exciting advances in computer and video game development.
Based on current research strengths this would include:
Adaptive and self-learning
Artificial Intelligence
Reasoning under uncertainty
Advanced audio techniques for computer gaming
Sound/music interfaces and interaction
Advanced algorithmic analysis
Embedded software systems
Advanced computer vision techniques
Distributed/parallel programming
Special Features
Major new research centres have been established in Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, eScience and in Sonic Arts. A number of modules on the course are closely linked to the research expertise of these centres and evolve and change rapidly to reflect some of the current, emerging and exciting developments in the field.
Opportunities for Careers and Further Study
On graduating with an MEng degree (and a year’s experience), students will be able to take jobs in the computer games industry or other computer-based creative industries. Graduates may also choose from a range of positions in the computing and IT sector or jobs involving the design and development of computer-based systems. In addition, the course will equip graduates to pursue research/further study in Computer Science and related disciplines.