Computer Science, Game Development Concentration

Game Development Concentration

Computer games are some of the most complex software development projects and employ some of the most advanced technologies of any application area of computer science. The entertainment software sector is a multi-billion dollar industry with increasing demand for new employees trained in these technologies and methods. In addition to the more familiar entertainment sector, these technologies also have applications to such areas as training, education, visualization, and social interaction forums – so-called "serious games." North Carolina is now among the top tier of US states with centers of game industry employment. As the game industry continues to grow, demand by North Carolina companies for new graduates with a strong background in computer science with a focus on game development will also expand.

Many aspects of computer game development are unique to the game industry and the Game Development Concentration provides specialized coursework in these areas. The Game Development Concentration focuses on game development technologies while preserving the breadth and depth of the general computer science BS degree. The concentration requires that students take 21 hours of games-focused courses. Of the nine credit hours required for other electives, students in the concentration must select three courses from a list that spans topics such as fiction writing, film, and music. These courses provide grounding in the creation of conventional media and provide the background in these disciplines needed to participate in the multidisciplinary aspects of the design of games.  Finally, students must complete a games-focused semester-long project either through Senior Design or an independent study/research project.

Departmental Information

The Department of Computer Science is located in Engineering Building II on NC State's Centennial Campus.  

Department of Computer Science

Contact Computer Science Academic Advising

Applicants attending school outside the U.S. must submit the following materials to complete their application:

• Official secondary school transcripts and English translations
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Proof of Financial Ability
• Optional SAT or ACT scores

Applicants attending school in the U.S. must submit the following materials to complete their application:

• Official high school transcripts
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Proof of Financial Ability (for F-1 or J-1 students)
• Optional SAT or ACT scores

Designing computer systems, and the software that runs on them is the job of computer scientists. Computer scientists find demand for their innovation, design, analysis, testing, and engineering skills across all domains. As a direct consequence of the increasingly critical role of computers in society, the discipline of computer science has enjoyed rapid growth for many years, with the trend likely to continue.  Employment projections indicate a critical nationwide shortfall in the supply of people skilled in computing and information technology, and a resulting steady rise in demand and salaries, for decades to come. Computer Science graduates from NC State are in high demand, including by employers that are extremely selective in their national recruiting.

Anchoring one corner of the world-famous Research Triangle Park, and located in modern state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities on NC State's Centennial Campus, the department and its students and faculty benefit from strong and active industry partnerships. NC State Computer Science is one of the top suppliers in the nation of new graduate hires to a number of high-tech companies, including several Fortune 500 companies, some with a substantial presence in the Research Triangle. Starting salaries for our undergraduates now average over $75,000 and show a steady increase. Opportunities are also plentiful for graduate study for those who wish to pursue the field in more depth.

Choose to apply through one of our two applications – we do not have a preference which application you choose. A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required, and application fee waivers are not accepted.

• Common App
• Coalition on Scoir