Masters of Science in Computer Science (Game Development)

The MS in Computer Science (Game Development) has been approved by the USC Provost Office and the Engineering Council. It is now officially a part of the USC Computer Science program curriculum.

The goal of the MS in Computer Science (Game Development) program is to graduate students with a core in computer science, an engineering- oriented game development core, and a concentration in one of the key research directions in game development infrastructure, cognition and games, immersion, and serious games.

Infrastructure is researching and developing the software and hardware infrastructure necessary for the development of the future of interactive games and large-scale simulations; massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) and simulation networks; game engines and tools; instant games; wireless and mobile games and infrastructures; next generation consoles.

Cognition and games is developing theories for modeling and simulating computer characters and story; developing methods for modeling, simulating and displaying human emotion; analyzing large- scale game play; developing theories for infusing pedagogy with game play.

Immersion is researching and developing the technologies to engage the mind of the game player via sensory stimulation; reading the human emotional state and providing that as an input to the game; emotionally adaptive game software architectures.

Serious games and simulations is developing a theory for the deployment of games and simulations for purposes of education and training, health, public policy and strategic communication; game evaluation; serious game development; human performance engineering.

Students graduating from this program will be capable of engineering next generation games and simulations and their required technologies immediately upon graduation in the entertainment and serious game fields.

Additionally, graduates from this program will be able to further their education in graduate programs in game development and computer science. The long-term goal with this MS degree is to establish research and development directions that create a science of games, and an accompanying archival literature that improves game development for both serious and entertainment purpose.

Master of Science in Computer Science (Game Development)(Click here for PDF)

Computer Science Core Classes (9 credits)

You must take the following two courses:

- CS 570 Analysis of Algorithms
- CS 580 3D Computer Graphics & Rendering

You must take one of the following courses:

- CS 555 Advanced Operating Systems
- CS 561 Artificial Intelligence(or CS 573 Advanced Artificial Intelligence)
- CS 571 Web Technologies
- CS 577a Software Engineering
- CS 585 Database Systems
- EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture


Game Development Core Classes (11 credits)

- CTIN 488 Game Design Workshop
- CS 522 Game Engine Development
- CS 452 Game Hardware Architectures


Concentration Areas (6 credits)

Complete two courses in a selected concentration area:

Infrastructure

- CS 503 Parallel Programming

- CS 520 Computer Animation & Simulation
- CS 523 Networked Games - Design & Implementation
- CS 524 Networked AI
- CS 526 Advanced Mobile Devices & Game Consoles

Cognition & Games

- CS 524 Networked AI
- CS 534 Affective Computing
- CS 535 Game Based Learning
- CS-541 AI Planning
- CS 543 Software Multiagent Systems
- CS 569 Integrated Intelligent Systems
- CS-573 Advanced AI

Immersion

- CS 520 Computer Animation & Simulation
- CS 523 Networked Games - Design & Implementation
- CS 537 Immersive Environments
- CS 538 Human Performance Engineering
- CS 574 Computer Vision
- CS 588 Specification & Design of UI Software
- CTAN 502A Virtual Reality & Stereoscopic Animation
- EE 619 Advanced Topics in Speech Recognition & Spoken Language Engineering

Serious Games

- CS 520 Computer Animation & Simulation
- CS 535 Game Based Learning
- CS 537 Immersive Environments
- CS 538 Human Performance Engineering


Project Classes (7 credits)

- CS 529a Advanced Game Projects I (4)
- CS 529b Advanced Game Projects II (3)


TOTAL: 33 Credits