Columbia University Game Design And Development Club

Bachelor of Science Computer Games Development

Key information
About the course
What you will study
Entry requirements
How to apply
Fees and funding
Your future career

Course code:

LM121

Duration:

4 Years

Course leader:

Dr. Mark Marshall

Email:

Tel:

+353 (0)61 202699

Admissions:
Tel: 00 353 61 202015
Queries: www.ul.ie/admissions-askus

If you are a creative type of person who enjoys puzzles and solving problems, this could be the programme for you. If you enjoy any kind of games, whether computer games or traditional board games, particularly if you like playing with alternative/optional rules, then this might be the course for you.

Why Study Computer Games Development at UL?

The Computer Games Industry is an exciting field, currently outselling the film industry worldwide. Computer Game development is innovative and exciting from a technological and creative perspective, providing career opportunities for imaginative, logical, and energetic students. Graduates will have the satisfaction of seeing their work being enjoyed by a global audience. You will learn the art and science of computer games programming and design. Entry route to Computer Games Development at UL is via LM121 Computer Science Common Entry.

This programme will equip you with the skills and technological ability to develop both Computer Game and computer graphic related systems. You will study Computer Science, with special emphasis on topics relevant to Game Design such as software development, mobile devices, computer graphics and artificial intelligence.

You will also study topics relevant to development of a game concept to the final "shooting script" (prior to the programming).

The key aims of the B.Sc. (Hons) in Computer Games Development programme are to provide you with:

- Knowledge of the various programming languages and related platforms

- Skills in System Analysis, and integration of software components

- Expertise in areas such as the human-computer interface and artificial intelligence which will enable you to develop software for an array of computer graphics and computer games domains.

Read about our students' experiences

You will study the modules presented in Year 1 of the Common Entry route to Computer Games Development. The emphasis in Year 1 is on programming, an appreciation of its basis, and the study of the physical machine on which programs run. In the second year, and in the first semester of third year, the programme will extend your knowledge of general software development, while other modules are directly relevant to game development.

In semester two of year three, you will have an eight month cooperative education placement, either in Ireland or abroad, where you will get the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have learned, increase your awareness of the computer games work place and develop your social and business skills.

In the fourth year, you will undertake a significant independent project in the area. Normally this will involve development of one or more software components of a computer game, or developing a complete game using existing software components. In addition, you will continue to deepen your knowledge of general software development and to acquire deeper expertise in specialised aspects of game related issues.

To find out more, go to www.csis.ul.ie

Year 1

	Semester 1		Semester 2
CS4012	Representation and Modelling	CS4043	Games Modelling Design
CS4141	Introduction to Programming	CS4222	Software Development
CS4221	Foundations of Computer Science 1	CS4182	Foundations of Computer Science 2
ET4011	Fundamentals of Computer Organisation	ET4162	Computing System Organisation
MA4111	Discrete Mathematics	MA4402	Computer Maths 2

Year 2

	Semester 3		Semester 4
CS4013	Object Oriented Development	CS4006	Intelligent Systems
CS4023	Operating Systems	CS4076	Event Driven Programming
CS4416	Database Systems	CS4115	Data Structures and Algorithms
CS4004	Software Testing and Inspection	CS4815	Computer Graphics
CS4093	Games for Global Markets	MA4413	Statistics for Computing

Year 3

	Semester 5		Semester 6
CS4151	Digital Modelling and Animation	CS4320	Cooperative Education
CS4071	Virtual and Augmented Reality Design	CS4310	Cooperative Education
CS4084	Mobile Application Development
CS4096	Artificial Intelligence for Games
CS4106	Machine Learning: Methods and Applications

Year 4

	Semester 7		Semester 8
CS4011	Advanced Programming Concepts and Practices	CS4198	Computer Games Development Project 2
CS4085	Computer Graphics II: Tools and Techniques	CS4227	Software Design and Architecture
CS4125	Systems Analysis and Design	CS4067	Writing Games Analysis
CS4287	Neural Computing	CS4168	Data Mining
CS4197	Computer Games Development Project 1

CAO points history
Minimum grades	Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
Subject requirements	In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O2/H6 in Mathematics.
Additional considerations	A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application information for mature student applicants (PDF) Entry to this course is gotten through the common entry course, LM121 - Bachelor of Science in Computing Technologies
Non-EU Entry Requirements

Fees & funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Centre Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays	Tuition Fees	€4,262
SUSI pays	Student contribution	€3,000
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€7,354

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays	Tuition Fees	€4,262
Student pays	Student contribution	€3,000
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€7,354

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays	Tuition Fees	€4,262
Student pays	Student contribution	€3,000
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€7,354

Non-EU Students

Student pays	Tuition Fees	€16,373
Student pays	Student Centre Levy	€92
		€16,465

Student course fees are comprised of three components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The curent student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Centre Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Centre Levy of €90. Please note the Student Centre Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
Course Requirements (all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year's duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority's Free Fees scheme.
EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

Employability Skills from this degree

Understanding the fundamentals of software for computer graphics
Working in teams and liaising with other professionals to complete complex, software-based games projects
Working creatively and problem-solving
Communicating (written and verbal)
Developing skills in cinematography and story writing

Cultural awareness: developing games appropriate to international markets
Technical ability and solid skills in software development:
Object Oriented Design
Mobile apps
Data structures and algorithms
Self-motivation and the ability to work independently
Flexibility in meeting deadlines and client requirements

The year after graduating with this degree

The University of Limerick Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) is a detailed review of the employment outcomes of UL graduates conducted annually by the University and supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The survey forms part of a nationwide review of the employment outcomes of Irish University Graduates. The table below illustrates a five-year trend for UL graduate employment levels and location the year after graduation.

Employed in Ireland	Employed abroad	Further study	Not available	Seeking employment	No. of responses	Total no. of graduates	Year
42%	26%	5%	0%	26%	19	21	2014
55%	15%	0%	0%	30%	20	24	2015
81%	5%	0%	0%	14%	21	23	2016
61%	11%	17%	0%	11%	18	23	2017
62%	5%	0%	5%	29%	21	33	2018

Further Study Options

MEng in Information and Network Security
MSc in Software Engineering

Further Study Options

MA in Journalism, Sport
MA Technical Communication and eLearning
MA English
Grad Dip/MA in Public Administration
MA Creative Writing

Job titles for graduates with this degree

Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:

Graduate Programme Intern
IT Technician
Junior IT Consultant
Junior Software Engineer
Marketing Executive
Mission Scripter
Programming Engineer
QA Engineer
Research Assistant
Service Engineer

Social Localisation Programmer
Software Developer
Software Engineer
Software Programmer
Software QA Tester
System Document Author
Systems Software Engineer
Systems Technician
Technical Support
Technology Analyst (Consulting Department)

Graduate Profile

Ryan Kerswill

As a Network Programmer, a typical day involves designing systems, implementing features, research and fixing bugs. Communication is important and our team discusses various topics every day. This includes a daily meeting where we explain what we have been working on to keep immediate team members informed of each other's work, and if there are any problems. On complex problems, we design them together for more feedback on the current solution. Sometimes we review each other's work before submitting it. My course in Computer Games Development at UL was extremely relevant to the industry I have become part of. I learned many skills that are required for my job, so that every day, I use the knowledge gained from the course. The internship I did as part of the Co-Op program was invaluable and helped me to secure a job after graduation. Having work experience before graduating sets you apart from other candidates competing for the same job.

Ryan is currently employed as a Junior Network Programmer with Ubisoft in Montpellier, France

Student Profile

Daniel Keohane
I have always loved playing video games, but I was also extremely interested in how they were made. I looked at some of the topics covered in this course and felt it was the perfect option for me. This degree programme will teach you about software engineering, with a strong leaning towards games development. We learn about games-related subjects like computer graphics and AI, while still covering generic software modules like Object Oriented Development and Software Architectures.

I really enjoy my course - it has provided me with a number of opportunities to enter programming competitions around the country which are huge fun. Gamesfleadh is held every year and comprises of a number of programming-related competitions, i.e. Robocode where contestants must develop an AI system for a virtual battle bot using the Java programming language to compete against other battle bots.

For my Co-op work placement, I went to DemonWare in Dublin. DemonWare specialises in online software services for some of the top game developer studios in the world, powering some of the most popular video game titles. I worked for the Call of Duty team; my tasks involved developing features for the upcoming Call of Duty title and bug-fixing issues in existing titles. Through my work placement, I gained a wealth of hands-on experience and developed my knowledge of Python, C++ and Git. This work placement at Demonware has been invaluable and is one of my strongest selling points when it comes to applying for any graduate position. While my development work was on the Call of Duty titles, I am credited in: Call of Duty: Ghosts, Diablo 3 and Skylanders: Swap Force