Game Design and Production BS / Digital Media MS

Major: Game Design and Production & Digital Media
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) & Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 236.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years); Three Co-op (Five years)

 

About the Program

The program is a natural extension of our undergraduate program in Game Design and Production (BS) and challenges students to push beyond what’s known and into what’s possible through a masters of science in Digital Media. It combines research with applicable skills in 21st century media applications and offers a mix of academic coursework and project-related activities in advanced digital design, including 3-D modeling, animation, interactivity, gaming, and digital media history, theory, and methods.

Additional Information

To find out more about this major, visit the Westphal College’s Game Design & Production Major page.

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to enter the accelerated program are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and between 70.0 and 120.0 credits of completed undergraduate coursework.

Acceptance into the accelerated program is decided by the program director of the Digital Media MS program in consultation with the undergraduate program director in Game Design and Production, as well as the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee.

Main criteria for acceptance is an evaluation of the student’s prior academic performance and the student’s likelihood of success within the program.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
PHYS 170Electricity and Motion3.0
PHYS 171Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion1.0
PHYS 175Light and Sound3.0
PHYS 176Computational Lab for Light and Sound1.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience2.0
Arts and humanities elective **3.0
History (HIST) elective (100-499)4.0
Literature (ENGL) elective (100-499)3.0
Social sciences electives ***9.0
Free electives23.0
Art and Art History Requirements
Required ARTH electives (choose a minimum of 6 credits from ARTH 100-499, except ARTH 300)6.0
ARTH 300History of Modern Design3.0
VSST 108Design I for Media3.0
VSST 109Design II for Media3.0
VSST 110Introductory Drawing3.0
VSST 111Figure Drawing I3.0
Media and Computer Science Requirements
DIGM 131Introduction to Scripting for the Digital Content Creation Pipeline3.0
FMTV 110Basic Cinematography3.0
FMTV 206Audio Production and Post3.0
GMAP 231Scripting for Game Design3.0
SCRP 270Screenwriting I3.0
Digital Media Core Requirements
ANIM 140Computer Graphics Imagery I3.0
ANIM 145Realtime Visualization3.0
ANIM 211Animation I3.0
DIGM 105Overview of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 350Digital Storytelling3.0
DIGM 451Explorations in New Media3.0
DIGM 475Seminar: The Future of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 490Digital Media Senior Project 9.0
DIGM 491Digital Media Senior Project Studio 3.0
GMAP 260Overview of Computer Gaming3.0
PROD 215Design Thinking in Product Design4.0
Gaming Requirements
GMAP 101Game Design Lab I3.0
GMAP 102Game Design Lab II3.0
GMAP 121Overview of Game Playtesting1.0
GMAP 123Basic Portfolio1.0
GMAP 211Game User Interface Design3.0
GMAP 246Advanced Portfolio (Taken three times.)3.0
GMAP 301Game History3.0
GMAP 321Advanced Game Playtesting1.0
GMAP 345Game Development Foundations3.0
GMAP 367Character Animation for Gaming3.0
GMAP 377Game Development: Workshop I3.0
GMAP 378Game Development: Workshop II3.0
GMAP 395Advanced Game Design and Production3.0
Select from the following Gaming electives12.0
Animation II
Digital Cultural Heritage
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Concept Art for Games
Entrepreneurial Game Studio Incubator Lab Project
Serious Games
Experimental Games
Game Design from the Player’s Perspective
Architecture & Game Level Design Workshop
Artificial Intelligence in Gaming
Mobile Game Development
Audio for Games
Special Topics in Game Art and Production
Special Topics in Game Art and Production
Special Topics in Game Art and Production
Special Topics in Game Art and Production
Organizational Behavior
Leadership: Theory and Practice
Team Development and Leadership
Negotiations and Conflict Resolution
Game: Universe & Story
Future of Narrative Games
Game Development Study
Game Writing Workshop I
Game Writing Workshop II
Motion Capture I
Motion Capture II
Required Graduate Courses
Art and Design Domain
DIGM 551Critical and Speculative Design for Digital Media3.0
DIGM 552Visual Storytelling in Digital Media3.0
DIGM 553Experimental Digital Media Lab3.0
Technology Domain
DIGM 561Digital Media Technologies3.0
DIGM 562Interactive Media and User Experience 3.0
DIGM 563Emerging Technologies in Digital Media3.0
DIGM 664Advanced Topics in Digital Media 3.0
Critical Thinking Domain
DIGM 571Digital Media Project Management 3.0
DIGM 572Digital Media Research Strategies 3.0
DIGM 573Critical Theories in Digital Media3.0
DIGM 674Ethics and Social Impact of Digital Media3.0
DIGM 675Future Trends in Digital Media3.0
Capstone and Thesis Development
DIGM 691Digital Media Research and Project Development I 3.0
DIGM 692Digital Media Research and Project Development II3.0
DIGM 693Digital Media Thesis/Capstone Finalization3.0
Total Credits236.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Select from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480 in AFAS, ARCH, ARTH, COM, DANC, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, INTR, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PHTO, PPE, PBHL, RELS, SCRP, THTR, TVST, VSCM, WGST, WRIT.

***

Select from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480, in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSCI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, WGST.

DIGM 490 and DIGM 491 are repeated three times each to complete the DIGM Capstone Senior Project sequence.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

5 year, 1 co-op (Spring/Summer)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
DIGM 131 Introduction to Scripting for the Digital Content Creation Pipeline 3.0
ENGL 101
Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
3.0
GMAP 101 Game Design Lab I 3.0
PHYS 170 Electricity and Motion 3.0
PHYS 171 Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion 1.0
UNIV A101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
VSST 110 Introductory Drawing 3.0
 Credits17
Winter
ANIM 140 Computer Graphics Imagery I 3.0
ENGL 102
Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
3.0
GMAP 102 Game Design Lab II 3.0
GMAP 123 Basic Portfolio 1.0
PHYS 175 Light and Sound 3.0
PHYS 176 Computational Lab for Light and Sound 1.0
UNIV A101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
VSST 108 Design I for Media 3.0
 Credits18
Spring
ANIM 145 Realtime Visualization 3.0
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
ENGL 103
Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
3.0
FMTV 110 Basic Cinematography 3.0
GMAP 121 Overview of Game Playtesting 1.0
MATH 101 Introduction to Analysis I 4.0
VSST 109 Design II for Media 3.0
 Credits18
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
ANIM 211 Animation I 3.0
DIGM 105 Overview of Digital Media 3.0
GMAP 211 Game User Interface Design 3.0
GMAP 260 Overview of Computer Gaming 3.0
GMAP 301 Game History 3.0
 Credits15
Winter
GMAP 231 Scripting for Game Design 3.0
GMAP 367 Character Animation for Gaming 3.0
PROD 215 Design Thinking in Product Design 4.0
VSST 111 Figure Drawing I 3.0
(UG) Art History Elective 3.0
 Credits16
Spring
COM 230 Techniques of Speaking 3.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
GMAP 345 Game Development Foundations 3.0
SCRP 270 Screenwriting I 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 4.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
 Credits17
Summer
COOP 101 Career Management and Professional Development * 1.0
DIGM 350 Digital Storytelling 3.0
FMTV 206 Audio Production and Post 3.0
GMAP 395 Advanced Game Design and Production 3.0
(UG) Art History Elective 3.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
ARTH 300 History of Modern Design 3.0
DIGM 451 Explorations in New Media 3.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
GMAP 377 Game Development: Workshop I 3.0
(UG) Arts & Humanities Elective 3.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
DIGM 551 Critical and Speculative Design for Digital Media 3.0
 Credits19
Winter
DIGM 475 Seminar: The Future of Digital Media 3.0
GMAP 321 Advanced Game Playtesting 1.0
GMAP 378 Game Development: Workshop II 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 4.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
DIGM 552 Visual Storytelling in Digital Media 3.0
 Credits17
Spring
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Summer
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Fourth Year
Fall
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
(UG)Free Electives 6.0
(UG) Literature (ENGL) Elective 3.0
(UG) Social Science Elective 3.0
DIGM 571 Digital Media Project Management 3.0
 Credits19
Winter
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
(UG) Free Electives 6.0
(UG) Social Science Elective 3.0
DIGM 552 Visual Storytelling in Digital Media 3.0
 Credits17
Spring
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
(UG) History (HIST) Elective 4.0
(UG) Social Science Elective 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 3.0
DIGM 553 Experimental Digital Media Lab 3.0
DIGM 573 Critical Theories in Digital Media 3.0
 Credits20
Summer
STUDENT CONVERTS TO GR STATUS  
 Credits0
Fifth Year
Fall
DIGM 561 Digital Media Technologies 3.0
DIGM 664 Advanced Topics in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 691 Digital Media Research and Project Development I 3.0
 Credits9
Winter
DIGM 562 Interactive Media and User Experience 3.0
DIGM 674 Ethics and Social Impact of Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 692 Digital Media Research and Project Development II 3.0
 Credits9
Spring
DIGM 563 Emerging Technologies in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 675 Future Trends in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 693 Digital Media Thesis/Capstone Finalization 3.0
 Credits9
 Total Credits236
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

5 year, 3 co-op, Co-terminal Accelerated Program (Fall/Winter)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
DIGM 131 Introduction to Scripting for the Digital Content Creation Pipeline 3.0
ENGL 101
Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
3.0
GMAP 101 Game Design Lab I 3.0
PHYS 170 Electricity and Motion 3.0
PHYS 171 Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion 1.0
UNIV A101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
VSST 110 Introductory Drawing 3.0
 Credits17
Winter
ANIM 140 Computer Graphics Imagery I 3.0
COOP 101 Career Management and Professional Development * 1.0
ENGL 102
Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
3.0
GMAP 102 Game Design Lab II 3.0
GMAP 123 Basic Portfolio 1.0
PHYS 175 Light and Sound 3.0
PHYS 176 Computational Lab for Light and Sound 1.0
UNIV A101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
VSST 108 Design I for Media 3.0
 Credits19
Spring
ANIM 145 Realtime Visualization 3.0
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
ENGL 103
Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
3.0
FMTV 110 Basic Cinematography 3.0
GMAP 121 Overview of Game Playtesting 1.0
MATH 101 Introduction to Analysis I 4.0
VSST 109 Design II for Media 3.0
(UG) Elective 2.0
 Credits20
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Winter
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Spring
ANIM 211 Animation I 3.0
DIGM 105 Overview of Digital Media 3.0
GMAP 211 Game User Interface Design 3.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
GMAP 260 Overview of Computer Gaming 3.0
GMAP 301 Game History 3.0
(UG)Elective 3.0
 Credits19
Summer
GMAP 231 Scripting for Game Design 3.0
GMAP 367 Character Animation for Gaming 3.0
SCRP 270
Screenwriting I
or Figure Drawing I
3.0
PROD 215 Design Thinking in Product Design 4.0
(UG)Art History Elective 3.0
(UG)Elective 3.0
 Credits19
Third Year
Fall
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Winter
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Spring
COM 230 Techniques of Speaking 3.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
GMAP 345 Game Development Foundations 3.0
VSST 111
Figure Drawing I
or Screenwriting I
3.0
(UG)Gaming Elective 3.0
(UG)Elective 4.0
DIGM 573 Critical Theories in Digital Media 3.0
 Credits20
Summer
DIGM 350 Digital Storytelling 3.0
FMTV 206 Audio Production and Post 3.0
GMAP 395 Advanced Game Design and Production 3.0
(UG)Art History Elective 3.0
(UG)Gaming Elective 3.0
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
ARTH 300 History of Modern Design 3.0
DIGM 451 Explorations in New Media 3.0
GMAP 377 Game Development: Workshop I 3.0
(UG)Gaming Elective 3.0
DIGM 551 Critical and Speculative Design for Digital Media 3.0
 Credits15
Winter
DIGM 475 Seminar: The Future of Digital Media 3.0
GMAP 321 Advanced Game Playtesting 1.0
GMAP 378 Game Development: Workshop II 3.0
(UG)Gaming Elective 3.0
(UG) History Elective 4.0
DIGM 572 Digital Media Research Strategies 3.0
 Credits17
Spring
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Summer
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION  
 Credits0
Fifth Year
Fall
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
(UG)Arts and Humanities Elective 3.0
(UG)Literature Elective 3.0
(UG)Social Science Elective 3.0
DIGM 571 Digital Media Project Management 3.0
 Credits16
Winter
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
(UG)Electives 8.0
DIGM 552 Visual Storytelling in Digital Media 3.0
 Credits16
Spring
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
(UG)Social Science Electives 6.0
(UG) Free elective 3.0
DIGM 553 Experimental Digital Media Lab 3.0
 Credits16
Sixth Year
Fall
DIGM 561 Digital Media Technologies 3.0
DIGM 664 Advanced Topics in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 691 Digital Media Research and Project Development I 3.0
 Credits9
Winter
DIGM 562 Interactive Media and User Experience 3.0
DIGM 674 Ethics and Social Impact of Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 692 Digital Media Research and Project Development II 3.0
 Credits9
Spring
DIGM 563 Emerging Technologies in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 675 Future Trends in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 693 Digital Media Thesis/Capstone Finalization 3.0
 Credits9
 Total Credits236
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

5 year, 3 co-op, Co-terminal Accelerated Program (Spring/Summer)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
DIGM 131 Introduction to Scripting for the Digital Content Creation Pipeline 3.0
ENGL 101
Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
3.0
GMAP 101 Game Design Lab I 3.0
PHYS 170 Electricity and Motion 3.0
PHYS 171 Computational Lab for Electricity and Motion 1.0
UNIV A101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
VSST 110 Introductory Drawing 3.0
 Credits17
Winter
ANIM 140 Computer Graphics Imagery I 3.0
ENGL 102
Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
3.0
GMAP 102 Game Design Lab II 3.0
GMAP 123 Basic Portfolio 1.0
PHYS 175 Light and Sound 3.0
PHYS 176 Computational Lab for Light and Sound 1.0
UNIV A101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
VSST 108 Design I for Media 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 2.0
 Credits20
Spring
ANIM 145 Realtime Visualization 3.0
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
COOP 101 Career Management and Professional Development * 1.0
ENGL 103
Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
3.0
FMTV 110 Basic Cinematography 3.0
GMAP 121 Overview of Game Playtesting 1.0
MATH 101 Introduction to Analysis I 4.0
VSST 109 Design II for Media 3.0
 Credits19
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
ANIM 211 Animation I 3.0
DIGM 105 Overview of Digital Media 3.0
GMAP 211 Game User Interface Design 3.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
GMAP 260 Overview of Computer Gaming 3.0
GMAP 301 Game History 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 4.0
 Credits20
Winter
GMAP 231 Scripting for Game Design 3.0
GMAP 367 Character Animation for Gaming 3.0
PROD 215 Design Thinking in Product Design 4.0
VSST 111 Figure Drawing I 3.0
(UG)Art History (ARTH) Elective 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 4.0
 Credits20
Spring
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Summer
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Third Year
Fall
COM 230 Techniques of Speaking 3.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
GMAP 345 Game Development Foundations 3.0
SCRP 270 Screenwriting I 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 4.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
 Credits17
Winter
DIGM 350 Digital Storytelling 3.0
FMTV 206 Audio Production and Post 3.0
GMAP 395 Advanced Game Design and Production 3.0
(UG)Art History (ARTH) Elective 3.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
DIGM 572 Digital Media Research Strategies 3.0
 Credits18
Spring
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Summer
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Fourth Year
Fall
ARTH 300 History of Modern Design 3.0
DIGM 451 Explorations in New Media 3.0
GMAP 377 Game Development: Workshop I 3.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
DIGM 551 Critical and Speculative Design for Digital Media 3.0
 Credits15
Winter
DIGM 475 Seminar: The Future of Digital Media 3.0
GMAP 321 Advanced Game Playtesting 1.0
GMAP 378 Game Development: Workshop II 3.0
(UG) Free Elective 2.0
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0
DIGM 552 Visual Storytelling in Digital Media 3.0
 Credits15
Spring
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Summer
COOP EXPERIENCE  
 Credits0
Fifth Year
Fall
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective 3.0
(UG) Literature (ENGL) Elective 3.0
(UG) Social Science Elective 3.0
DIGM 571 Digital Media Project Management 3.0
 Credits16
Winter
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
GMAP 246 Advanced Portfolio 1.0
(UG) Free Electives 2.0
(UG) Social Science Electives 6.0
DIGM 572 Digital Media Research Strategies 3.0
 Credits16
Spring
DIGM 490 Digital Media Senior Project 3.0
DIGM 491 Digital Media Senior Project Studio 1.0
(UG) Free electives 5.0
(UG) History (HIST) Elective 4.0
DIGM 553 Experimental Digital Media Lab 3.0
 Credits16
Sixth Year
Fall
DIGM 561 Digital Media Technologies 3.0
DIGM 664 Advanced Topics in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 691 Digital Media Research and Project Development I 3.0
 Credits9
Winter
DIGM 562 Interactive Media and User Experience 3.0
DIGM 674 Ethics and Social Impact of Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 692 Digital Media Research and Project Development II 3.0
 Credits9
Spring
DIGM 563 Emerging Technologies in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 675 Future Trends in Digital Media 3.0
DIGM 693 Digital Media Thesis/Capstone Finalization 3.0
 Credits9
 Total Credits236
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.