<p>Can anyone explain the differences in Computer Major programs (including the RePlay Lab). </p>
<p>Software engineering vs computer science vs gaming art production.</p>
<p>The ISchool vs the College of Engineering vs Westphal College of Media.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I don’t quite get what you are meaning with “Computer Major Programs” but I can briefly explain the differences in the “Gaming Majors.” Drexel offers two gaming majors:
Game Art and Production (Digital Media)
Game Programming and Development concentration (Computer Science)</p>
<p>(The Software engineering major is completely different.)</p>
<p>Both majors take some classes together. The RePlay lab is basically the collaboration between the two majors, whether it is the classes that both have to take, or other projects that they collaborate on. </p>
<p>The Game Art and Production (GMAP for short) major falls under the Digital Media program which is in the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. Here the focus will be much more on the art side (designing, 3D modeling, animation, ect.). You will have to take two programming classes. When you get into the gaming classes in your sophomore year, for group projects the GMAP people will be doing most of the art, animating and modeling while the CS people (the Game Programming majors) will be doing the coding.
The Game Programming and Development major is under the Computer Science program in the College of Arts and Sciences. This is much more focused on programming but you will have to take some art classes like intro to drawing. </p>
<p>Here’s a breakdown:</p>
<p>Game Art and Production
Digital Media Program (3 different majors: Game Art and Production (the one in question), Animation and Visual Effects, Interactive Digital Media)
Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
4 years, 1 co-op
Art side of gaming</p>
<p>Game Programming and Development concentration
Computer Science Program
College of Arts and Sciences
5 years, 3 co-ops
programming side of gaming</p>
<p>Most of the gaming facilities are in the new URBN center which houses the Westphal College. There are 4 undergrad classroom labs, 2 open computer labs, 3 grad labs, a motion capture studio, and the physical RePlay lab, all which is available 24/7. So if you are in the Game Art major, you will be at the URBN center from day 1. I don’t know too much about the Game Programming Major other than what I’ve said because I’m not either of these majors but I am in the Digital Media program.</p>
<p>Do you know if students can switch between majors before they get there or after the first year? My son was accepted in the Game Art and Production major, but is now more interested in the programming side.</p>
<p>I would try to switch before he starts because it is nearly impossible to switch after you miss foundation courses that are only offered once a year. Only problem I see is that the Digital Media department reviewed his application and accepted him. Unfortunately I really don’t know the process of switching majors in different colleges, but I would do it sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Thanks, I’m still a bit confused.
On the Drexel website under: [Undergraduate</a> Majors | Undergraduate Admissions | Drexel University](<a href=“http://drexel.edu/undergrad/academics/majors/]Undergraduate”>Undergraduate Programs)
I don’t see the “Game Programming and Development concentration” for Undergraduates. When you click on Computer Science under this link you see it listed but then clicking on that takes you to Graduates studes: [Computer</a> Science < 2012-2013 Catalog | Drexel University](<a href=“http://catalog.drexel.edu/graduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/]Computer”>http://catalog.drexel.edu/graduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/).
I’m interested in Undergraduate gaming programming.</p>
<p>I assume that link is accidentally linking to the wrong page int he catalog. Here is the computer science page of the catalog: [Computer</a> Science < 2012-2013 Catalog | Drexel University](<a href=“http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/]Computer”>http://catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofengineering/computerscience/)
To the right you can see the plan of studies and the requirements for the game concentration. The major is still just called Computer Science. Up until a few years ago, the Game Art mjaor was just apart of the Digital Media major, and the Digital Media major had three concentrations: Game Art, Animation, and WebDev. Now they broke those into actually majors and not just concentrations. But the Computer Science major still just has the concentrations.</p>