Create games that will change the world
The gaming industry is one of the fastest and most innovative business sectors, with game design being used to create more than “just a game”. With new opportunities emerging in education, healthcare, marketing, and more, this diverse field is one of the fastest growing and most exciting sectors of the games industry. This unique program lets you build and apply skills in game design and development to address a range of real-world problems – using the universal appeal of play.
New program commencing 2019. Subject to final approval.
The gaming industry is one of the fastest and most innovative business sectors, with game design being used to create more than “just a game”. With new opportunities emerging in education, healthcare, marketing, and more, this diverse field is one of the fastest growing and most exciting sectors of the games industry. This unique program lets you build and apply skills in game design and development to address a range of real-world problems – using the universal appeal of play.
In this program you will:
- Analyse the meanings and cultural implications of gameplay and story, using this knowledge to create emotionally rich and challenging experiences within your own games and simulations.
- Specialise in game art, interactive narrative, or programming.
- Choose a minor to hone your studies in a particular subject area, from areas as diverse as Indigenous Studies, Health Promotion, or Politics and International Relations.
- Work as a specialist in multidisciplinary project teams, gaining hands-on experience developing for PC, smart-phones and tablets, augmented reality, and virtual reality.
Career opportunities:
- Computer programmer/systems analyst
- Games designer/developer
- App developer
- Programmer
- Web designer/developer
- Mixed reality designer
- Augmented and virtual reality developer
- Video artist/Video editor
* New program commencing 2019. Subject to final approval.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
CMN101 Introduction to Creative Entrepreneurship*
COR109 Communication and Thought
DES102 Visual Storytelling
SGD100 Playcentric Game Design
SGD101 Game Art: Introduction to 2D & 3D
SGD102 Introduction to Games Scripting
SGD103 Serious Digital Game Design
SGD120 Interactive Narrative: Fundamentals
Developing and Graduate courses (8) 96 units
CMN313 Creativity, Design and Communication Project*
SGD200 Game-Based Learning
SGD202 Video Game Analysis
SGD304 Serious Game Project A
SGD305 Serious Game Project B
PLUS select 3 courses from one of the following Game Design Areas:
Interactive Narrative
CMN200 Introduction to Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
SGD214 Interactive Narrative: Puzzles and Quests
SGD321 Interactive Narrative: Characters and Worlds
Game Art
DES309 Design Portfolio*
SGD211 Game Art: Characters & Vehicles
SGD230 Game Art: Virtual Environments
Game Programming
SGD213 Professional Games Programming
SGD240 Advanced Games Programming
SGD300 Advanced Games Programming 2.0
Elective courses (8) 96 units
Select 8 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law) or (Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Students are strongly encouraged to use their electives to complete an additional major or minor.
*New course, subject to final approval
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Program requirements and notes
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses
Program Notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 units per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on Student visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses