Bachelor of Science inComputer Science and Game Development

Who Is This Program For?

If you’ve earned an associate degree in computer science (or sufficient college credits in physics, math, and computer science) and are looking to open up a wider field of opportunities in the video game or entertainment industries, this program may be for you. This bachelor’s degree program offers an accelerated, focused education that will demonstrate to employers that you’re committed to succeeding in a competitive industry with plenty of growth potential.

Over the course of your time here, you can gain skills that any company looking for qualified computer science majors will find valuable. But if you’re passionate about specializing in games and can see yourself thriving in the kind of creative, team-based work environments found at both AAA game publishers and indie game studios, you will definitely find yourself at home in this degree program.

What is Our Methodology?

This degree program offers a flexible hybrid format. We combine in-person project courses guided by local faculty members with synchronous, online instruction from faculty located at our Redmond, Washington, campus. The result is the same world-class education DigiPen is known for at a location that’s most convenient for you.

The curriculum has been developed in concert with local industry and government organizations looking to pair employers with highly qualified job candidates. That means the skills learned at each Nexus location’s degree programs are in-demand locally, while still carrying the weight of an education respected throughout the world.

What Will You Do as a Student in This Program?

•  Analyze a complex computing problem and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solutions.

•  Design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet a given set of computing requirements.

•  Apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory to produce computer-based solutions in a way that demonstrates comprehension of tradeoffs involved in design choices.

•  Incorporate these same computer science principles into specific requirements and solutions within game development.

•  Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.

•  Function effectively as a member or leader of a team to accomplish a common goal.

•  Understand professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities.

Academic Roadmap

As a student in this program, you will split your time between core academic courses (primarily in mathematics and computer science) and team-based project classes. The core classes will broaden your foundation of material and build deeper knowledge while the project courses will give you the opportunity to apply your education in a setting that emulates the professional studio environment.

Admissions Requirements

In order to apply to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Game Development program, you must demonstrate sufficient academic background in mathematics, physics, and computer science. You’ll need to have completed college-level courses in all of these subjects prior to attending DigiPen.

Meet the Faculty

Justin Chambers

Assistant Dean of Articulation and Coordination

Justin Chambers is a graduate of DigiPen, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation in 2009. After working in the industry for several years, Chambers returned to DigiPen in 2016 to teach. He teaches from many valuable perspectives — as a former student of DigiPen, a professional in the game industry, and now as an instructor of future game industry professionals.

Student Game Showcase

The following games were made by undergraduate student teams at our main campus during their hands-on project courses. Just as in the BS in Computer Science and Game Development program, these games were produced by teams composed entirely of programmers who spread their wings into fields like game design, character design and modeling, and audio editing to create playable, immersive video games.

OMFG: One Million Fatal Guns

Shoot your way through a robot-hijacked space station, collecting powerful — and increasingly tongue-twisting — guns as you go.

RAILZ: The Shooting Train Game

Build a custom combat train and blast waves of killer robots in this 2D shooter.

Fowl Magic

In this 2D vertically-scrolling action platformer, guide a chicken to the bottom of a perilous wizard’s tower.

Career Outlook

Graduates of this degree program will be prepared to enter the video game industry in entry- and intermediate-level positions.

Potential Careers

Gameplay Programmer

The gameplay programmer is responsible for implementing the mechanical features and systems of a video game, often working with designers to turn ideas into working, moving parts.

Engine and Tools Programmer

In general, an engine or tools programmer creates customized software systems (such as a level editor or scripting language) that will be used by other developers on the team to use or create game assets, or just make the overall development process more efficient.

Software Development Engineer

Software development engineer (SDE) positions can be found in any number of industries. The role of an SDE is typically to design and build computer systems and software — either from scratch or by modifying existing systems and code base.