- Arts & Media
- Science & Math
- B.S.
- Jack Baskin School of Engineering
- Computational Media
Program overview
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Computer Game Design is an undergraduate degree program focused on the construction and design of interactive computer games. Reflecting both the growing cultural and economic importance of the computer gaming industry and the increasing complexity and specialization of computer gaming systems, the program focuses on the technical, narrative, and artistic underpinnings of these games. Students have multiple opportunities to create computer games, including an intensive year-long game project sequence in the final year. The program is regularly ranked among the very best public university game design programs in the U.S.
Learning Experience
Study and Research Opportunities
- B.S.
- Computational Media M.S. and Ph.D.
- Year-long, team-based game design project
- Game design, systems, history, visual culture
- Advanced topics such as artificial intelligence for games, procedural content generation, interactive narrative, computer graphics, game engines, procedural audio, and human-computer interaction
- Students have multiple opportunities to participate in research projects
First-Year Requirements
Please see the current UC Santa Cruz General Catalog for a full description of the BSOE admissions policy.
First-Year Applicants: It is recommended that high school students intending to apply to the major have completed four years of mathematics (through advanced algebra and trigonometry) as well as any available courses in computer science, arts, and media (especially interactive media). Comparable college mathematics, arts, and media courses completed at other institutions also serve to properly prepare a student for the major.
Transfer Requirements
This is a screening major.
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By the end of spring term prior to transfer you must have completed the following courses: Mathematics 19A and 19B; Computer Science and Engineering 16; and Computer Science and Engineering 30.
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Additionally, by the end of spring term you must have completed one of the following courses: Electrical and Computer Engineering 13 or Computer Science and Engineering 13S or Computer Science and Engineering 12.
- All lower-division requirements must be completed with a minimum 2.80 GPA.
Computer Science and Engineering 30; Computer Science and Engineering 16; and Mathematics 19A and 19B; and one of the following courses: Computer Science and Engineering 12/L or Computer Science and Engineering 13S or Electrical and Computer Engineering 13. Please go to the General Catalog for a list of additional recommended courses in order to ensure a timely graduation for transfers.
Internships and Career Opportunities
- Gameplay engineer
- Computer game designer
- Computer game producer
- Animation and graphics programming
- Technical artist
- Software engineering
- Web development
These are only samples of the field’s many possibilities.
The Wall Street Journal recently ranked UCSC as the number two public university in the nation for high-paying jobs in engineering.