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)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 11.0899

BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 27-1014; 25-1199
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 11.0801

MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-1134

About the Program

The program is a natural extension of our undergraduate program in Game Design and Production and challenges students to push beyond what’s known and into what’s possible. 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
ARTH 102History of Art II3.0
ARTH 103History of Art III3.0
ARTH 300 [WI] History 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
CS 171Computer Programming I3.0
FMTV 110Basic Cinematography3.0
FMTV 206Audio Production and Post3.0
GMAP 231Scripting for Game Design3.0
SCRP 270 [WI] Screenwriting 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 350 [WI] Digital Storytelling3.0
DIGM 451 [WI] Explorations in New Media3.0
DIGM 475 [WI] Seminar: 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 121Game Playtesting (Taken two times.)2.0
GMAP 123Basic Portfolio1.0
GMAP 211Game User Interface Design3.0
GMAP 246Advanced Portfolio (Taken three times.)3.0
GMAP 301Game History3.0
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 four of the following Gaming electives12.0
Animation II
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Serious Games
Experimental Games
Game Design from the Player’s Perspective
Artificial Intelligence in Gaming
Mobile Game Development
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
Game: Universe & Story
Future of Narrative Games
Motion Capture I
Motion Capture II
Required Graduate Courses
Digital Media Core
DIGM 501New Media: History, Theory and Methods3.0
DIGM 510Designing for Interactivity3.0
DIGM 511Research Methods for Digital Media3.0
Digital Media Specialization18.0
Select 18.0 credits from the following list:
Game Design and Development
Game Design I
Game Design II
Game Development Foundations
Serious Games
Experimental Games
Game Design from the Player’s Perspective
Animation and Immersive Media
Spatial Data Capture
Animation I
Animation II
Organic Modeling
Advanced Concepts and Applications in Interactive 3D Environments
Immersive World Building
UX Design and Digital Cultural Heritage
Digital Cultural Heritage
Interactivity I
Interactivity II
General Digital Media
Digital Media Skills Intensive
Independent Study in Digital Media
Independent Study in Digital Media
Special Topics in Digital Media
Special Topics in Digital Media
New Media Project
DIGM 540New Media Project ††6.0
Thesis
DIGM 680Thesis Development3.0
Directed Studies †††9.0
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.

††

DIGM 540 is repeated two times.

†††

Select from 500-600 level courses, including I599, I699, T580 and T680, in ANIM, CS, DIGM, DSRE, GMAP, IDM, INFO.

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 (Fall/Winter)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ANIM 1403.0ANIM 1453.0VACATION
CS 1713.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
GMAP 1013.0GMAP 1023.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1703.0GMAP 1231.0FMTV 1103.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1753.0GMAP 1211.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1761.0MATH 1014.0 
VSST 1103.0UNIV A1011.0VSST 1093.0 
 VSST 1083.0  
 17 18 18 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2113.0ARTH 1023.0COM 2303.0ARTH 1033.0
DIGM 1053.0COOP 101*1.0GMAP 2461.0DIGM 3503.0
GMAP 2113.0GMAP 2313.0GMAP 3453.0FMTV 2063.0
GMAP 2603.0GMAP 3673.0SCRP 2703.0GMAP 3953.0
GMAP 3013.0PROD 2154.0(UG) Free Elective3.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0
 VSST 1113.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0 
 15 17 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEARTH 3003.0DIGM 4753.0
  DIGM 4513.0GMAP 1211.0
  GMAP 2461.0GMAP 3783.0
  GMAP 3773.0(UG) Free Elective3.0
  (UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0
  (UG) Gaming Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0
  DIGM 5013.0DIGM 5103.0
 0 0 19 19
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0Student converts to Graduate status
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
(UG) Free Electives6.0GMAP 2461.0(UG) Free Electives5.0 
(UG) Literature (ENGL) Elective3.0(UG) Free Electives6.0(UG) History (HIST) Elective4.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0DIGM 5113.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0DIGM 5403.0DIGM 5403.0 
 19 17 19 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 5912.0DIGM 5912.0DIGM 5912.0 
DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0 
(GR) Directed Studies3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0 
 9 9 9 
Total Credits 236
*

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, 1 co-op (Spring/Summer)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ANIM 1403.0ANIM 1453.0VACATION
CS 1713.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
GMAP 1013.0GMAP 1023.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1703.0GMAP 1231.0FMTV 1103.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1753.0GMAP 1211.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1761.0MATH 1014.0 
VSST 1103.0UNIV A1011.0VSST 1093.0 
 VSST 1083.0  
 17 18 18 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2113.0ARTH 1023.0COM 2303.0ARTH 1033.0
DIGM 1053.0GMAP 2313.0GMAP 2461.0COOP 101*1.0
GMAP 2113.0GMAP 3673.0GMAP 3453.0DIGM 3503.0
GMAP 2603.0PROD 2154.0SCRP 2703.0FMTV 2063.0
GMAP 3013.0VSST 1113.0(UG) Free Elective3.0GMAP 3953.0
  (UG) Gaming Elective3.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0
 15 16 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARTH 3003.0DIGM 4753.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
DIGM 4513.0GMAP 1211.0  
GMAP 2461.0GMAP 3783.0  
GMAP 3773.0(UG) Free Elective3.0  
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0  
(UG) Gaming Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0  
DIGM 5013.0DIGM 5103.0  
 19 19 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4903.0Student converts to Graduate status
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4911.0 
(UG) Digital Media Specialization3.0GMAP 2461.0(UG) Free Electives5.0 
(UG) Free Electives6.0(UG) Free Electives6.0(UG) History (HIST) Elective4.0 
(UG) Literature (ENGL) Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Elective3.0DIGM 5113.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0DIGM 5403.0DIGM 5403.0 
 19 17 19 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 5912.0DIGM 5912.0DIGM 5912.0 
DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0 
(GR) Directed Studies3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0 
 9 9 9 
Total Credits 236
*

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)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CS 1713.0ANIM 1403.0ANIM 1453.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0COOP 101*1.0CIVC 1011.0 
GMAP 1013.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1703.0GMAP 1023.0FMTV 1103.0 
PHYS 1711.0GMAP 1231.0GMAP 1211.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1753.0MATH 1014.0 
VSST 1103.0PHYS 1761.0VSST 1093.0 
 UNIV A1011.0(UG) Free Elective2.0 
 VSST 1083.0  
 17 19 20 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEANIM 2113.0ARTH 1023.0
  DIGM 1053.0GMAP 2313.0
  GMAP 2113.0GMAP 3673.0
  GMAP 2461.0PROD 2154.0
  GMAP 2603.0VSST 1113.0
  GMAP 3013.0(UG) Free Elective4.0
  (UG) Free Elective4.0 
 0 0 20 20
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCECOM 2303.0ARTH 1033.0
  GMAP 2461.0DIGM 3503.0
  GMAP 3453.0FMTV 2063.0
  SCRP 2703.0GMAP 3953.0
  (UG) Free Elective4.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0
  (UG) Gaming Elective3.0DIGM 5103.0
  DIGM 5013.0DIGM 5912.0
 0 0 20 20
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEARTH 3003.0DIGM 4753.0
  DIGM 4513.0GMAP 1211.0
  GMAP 3773.0GMAP 3783.0
  (UG) Gaming Elective3.0(UG) Free Elective2.0
  DIGM 5113.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0
  DIGM 5403.0DIGM 5403.0
  DIGM 5912.0DIGM 5912.0
   (GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0
 0 0 20 20
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0GMAP 2461.0(UG) Free electives5.0 
(UG) Literature (ENGL) Elective3.0(UG) Free Electives2.0(UG) History (HIST) Elective4.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Electives6.0DIGM 6801.0 
DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0 
(GR) Directed Studies3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0  
 20 20 20 
Total Credits 236
*

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)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ANIM 1403.0ANIM 1453.0VACATION
CS 1713.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
GMAP 1013.0GMAP 1023.0COOP 101*1.0 
PHYS 1703.0GMAP 1231.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PHYS 1711.0PHYS 1753.0FMTV 1103.0 
UNIV A1011.0PHYS 1761.0GMAP 1211.0 
VSST 1103.0UNIV A1011.0MATH 1014.0 
 VSST 1083.0VSST 1093.0 
 (UG) Free Elective2.0  
 17 20 19 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ANIM 2113.0ARTH 1023.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
DIGM 1053.0GMAP 2313.0  
GMAP 2113.0GMAP 3673.0  
GMAP 2461.0PROD 2154.0  
GMAP 2603.0VSST 1113.0  
GMAP 3013.0(UG) Free Elective4.0  
(UG) Free Elective4.0   
 20 20 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COM 2303.0ARTH 1033.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
GMAP 2461.0DIGM 3503.0  
GMAP 3453.0FMTV 2063.0  
SCRP 2703.0GMAP 3953.0  
(UG) Free Elective4.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0  
(UG) Gaming Elective3.0DIGM 5103.0  
DIGM 5013.0DIGM 5912.0  
 20 20 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARTH 3003.0DIGM 4753.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
DIGM 4513.0GMAP 1211.0  
GMAP 3773.0GMAP 3783.0  
(UG) Gaming Elective 3.0(UG) Free Elective2.0  
DIGM 5113.0(UG) Gaming Elective3.0  
DIGM 5403.0DIGM 5403.0  
DIGM 5912.0DIGM 5912.0  
 (GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0  
 20 20 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0DIGM 4903.0 
DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0DIGM 4911.0 
(UG) Arts and Humanities Elective3.0GMAP 2461.0(UG) Free electives5.0 
(UG) Literature (ENGL) Elective3.0(UG) Free Electives2.0(UG) History (HIST) Elective4.0 
(UG) Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Social Science Electives6.0DIGM 6801.0 
DIGM 6801.0DIGM 6801.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0 
(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Digital Media Specialization3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0 
(GR) Directed Studies3.0(GR) Directed Studies3.0  
 20 20 20 
Total Credits 236
*

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.

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