Game Design Minor
Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, College of Engineering
Program Description
The Game Design Minor is available for students with a strong interest in Game Design as an extension of their major studies and future academic and professional careers.
The Game Design Minor is available to all Cornell undergraduate students.
Academic standards
- at least a letter grade of C (not a C-) is required for each course in the minor.
Minor Requirements
The core of this minor is:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 3152 | Introduction to Computer Game Architecture | 4 |
| or INFO 3152 | Introduction to Computer Game Design | |
| CS 4152 | Advanced Topics in Computer Game Architecture | 3 |
| or INFO 4152 | Advanced Topics in Computer Game Design | |
| Four additional courses that can range from Graphics and Art, the Psychology of Gaming, and Human-Computer Interaction. | ||
At least six (6) courses (18-credit minimum) chosen as follows:
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 3152 | Introduction to Computer Game Architecture | 4 |
| or INFO 3152 | Introduction to Computer Game Design | |
| CS 4152 | Advanced Topics in Computer Game Architecture | 3 |
| or INFO 4152 | Advanced Topics in Computer Game Design | |
| Total Hours | 7 | |
Additional Courses
Choose four courses (outside of your major department) from the following lists:
Art
All art classes below the 4000 level may be used for this requirement.
Computer Science
Any CS course 2000 or above that is immediately relevant to the production of computer games may count towards this requirement. This includes but is not limited to:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 2110 | Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures (crosslisted) | 4 |
| CS 3700 | Foundations of AI Reasoning and Decision-Making | 3 |
| CS 3780 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 4 |
| CS 4450 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 4620 | Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 |
| CS 4740 | Natural Language Processing (crosslisted) | 4 |
| CS 5414 | Distributed Computing Principles | 4 |
| CS 5625 | Interactive Computer Graphics | 4 |
Information Science
Any INFO course 2000 above that addresses digital cultures, the ethics of technology, or human-computer interaction may count towards the requirement. This includes but is not limited to:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INFO 2450 | Communication and Technology | 3 |
| INFO 3140 | Computational Psychology | 3 |
| INFO 3200 | Technology, Behavior and Society | 3 |
| INFO 3450 | Human-Computer Interaction Design | 3 |
| INFO 3561 | Computing Cultures | 4 |
| INFO 3660 | History and Theory of Digital Art | 3 |
| INFO 4240 | Designing Technology for Social Impact | 4 |
| INFO 4275 | ||
| INFO 4301 | Ethics in New Media, Technology, and Communication | 3 |
| INFO 4320 | Introduction to Rapid Prototyping and Physical Computing | 4 |
| INFO 4400 | Qualitative User Research and Design Methods | 3 |
Music
Any music class that is not classified as a performance class may be used for this requirement.
Performing and Media Arts
Any PMA course that trains students in the techniques applicable to video or digital media production may be used for this requirement. This includes but is not limited to:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PMA 3531 | Screenwriting | 3 |
| PMA 3533 | Screen and Story: Script Analysis | 3 |
| PMA 3614 | Creative Character Design | 3 |
| PMA 3631 | 4 | |
| PMA 3631 | 4 | |
| PMA 3680 | Sound Design | 4 |
| PMA 3880 | Fundamentals of Directing I | 4 |
Psychology
Any psychology course 2000 or above that is classified as perception, cognition and development (PCD) may be used for this requirement. For a list of acceptable courses, see the Psychology Major website.
Other Departments
Other departments may offer courses that are directly relevant to game design. Because of the transient and/or scattered nature of these courses, those courses are typically accepted for the minor on a petition basis. Examples of classes that fall in this category are:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 3650 | History and Theory of Digital Art | 3 |
| ASIAN 3315 | Game Studies and Japan | 3 |
| DEA 3510 | Human Factors and Inclusive Design | 3 |
Graduation Requirements for Engineering Minor Degree Programs
Requirements
Students may pursue minors in any department in any college that offers them, subject to limitations placed by the department offering the minor or by the students' major. Completed minors will appear on the student's transcript. Not all departments offer minors. Additional information on specific minors can be found above, in the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook, in the undergraduate major office of the department or school offering the minor, and in Engineering Advising.
An engineering minor recognizes formal study of a particular subject area in engineering normally outside the major. Students undertaking a minor are expected to complete the requirements during the time of their continuous undergraduate enrollment at Cornell. Completing the requirements for an engineering minor (along with a major) may require more than the traditional eight semesters at Cornell. However, courses that fulfill minor requirements may also satisfy other degree requirements (e.g., distribution courses, advisor-approved, or major-approved electives), and completion within eight semesters is possible.
An engineering minor requires:
- successful completion of all requirements for an undergraduate degree.
- enrollment in a major that approves participation in the minor.
- satisfactory completion of six courses (at least 18 credits) in a college-approved minor.
Students may apply for certification of a minor at any time after the required course work has been completed in accordance with published standards. An official notation of certification of a minor appears on the Cornell transcript following graduation.