Computer Science, Game Design minor?

College Majors
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<p>Is there such a thing? Truthfully, my passion is with video games and I want to work within the gaming industry. I feel that is where I will be most happy working everyday, it's my passion.</p>

<p>That being said, I'm on the fence and am not sure which way to jump. On one side, I want to major in Game Design so I can really polish my skills and build my portfolio on my own. I know I can do this myself through books and tutorials but I feel I kind of need that teacher that pushes me with deadlines and assignments to really succeed in accomplishing this.</p>

<p>On the other side, everyone says game design degrees suck, take computer science. Well for one, I suck at math and I'm pretty sure computer science requires some heavy math. I know a degree in Computer Science will open up more jobs, but will it really teach me what I want to learn in regards to Game Design? Is there a such thing as majoring in Computer Science and having a focus on some sort of Game Design?</p>

<p>Ontop of all this, I think I'd want to attend an online college if I decide to pursue a Game Design degree. I know Game Design degrees aren't going to get me anywhere but I feel it'll really help teach me what I need to learn in order to be accomplishing things on my own so I can build a portfolio. I have an associates in Computer Information Systems / Game Design from my community college but it's almost like they were all introductory courses. I learned a little bit about a lot of things but not enough that I can successfully build a portfolio.</p>

<p>If I do choose Computer Science, I would need to attend a real college in person. Here's the kicker, I did find ONE college, Santa Cruz, that offers a Computer Science : Computer Game Design Major. Check out the link: The</a> Computer Science: Computer Game Design Major 2011-12</p>

<p>Would that be something to pursue? Are there any other colleges I could look at that would have something similar? Sorry for the long post but I've been mulling over these decisions for the past month, I hope I can get some good answers and another perspective here. </p>

<p>Other schools I've been checking out include Bellevue University (online), Champlain in VT, and Becker in MA.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading.</p>

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<p>I think UC Riverside also offers a game design major. I also think they’re nationally ranked.</p>

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<p>bump ?</p>

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<p>Try posting in the engineering forum. They probably have more solid advice, than we Humanities/Social Science kids.</p>

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<p>I’ve heard the UCSC program is good, but it is math-heavy. It isn’t a major your going to find in a lot of places, though.</p>

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<p>take a look at Stanfords new free online courses. Many are CS focused, and I would bet that some will be game design focused in the future. They are just starting to offer these. See how you do with the CS courses, and your interest in them. I believe that non-CS game design degrees are usually from art schools, related to the creative part of game design. CS game design is related to making the “art” work as well. Having the ability to do both is what makes you more marketable. </p>

<p>Stanford site: [Stanford</a> School of Engineering - Stanford Engineering Everywhere](<a href=“http://see.stanford.edu/see/courses.aspx]Stanford”>http://see.stanford.edu/see/courses.aspx)</p>

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<p>Bump for the OP in case they are still checking on this thread. Since their post UCSC posted that their graduate game design program has been only 1 of 2 schools in all of CA ranked among the top 10 in the nation: [UCSC</a> ranked among top 10 graduate schools for game design - UC Santa Cruz](<a href=“http://news.ucsc.edu/2012/03/princeton-review.html]UCSC”>UCSC ranked among top 10 graduate schools for game design)</p>

<p>Their undergraduate program got a nod.</p>

<p>This looks like a nifty little chart for a quick glance at the cirriculum and which courses are included: <a href=“Baskin School of Engineering – Baskin Engineering provides unique educational opportunities, world-class research with an eye to social responsibility and diversity.”>Baskin School of Engineering – Baskin Engineering provides unique educational opportunities, world-class research with an eye to social responsibility and diversity.;

<p>Seems like an MFA from UCSC would be respected in the game design field.</p>

<p>USC, the other CA grad school ranked as such, recently produced the founders of thatgamecompany (TGC) who had big hits on PSN with Flow, Flower, and today’s release, Journey. All their info and job openings (I’m sure they noticed the only other CA school ranked with them) here: [thatgamecompany</a> | TGC](<a href=“thatgamecompany”>http://thatgamecompany.com/)</p>

<p>Good luck, JA.</p>