470-01 Special Topics in Computer Science: IMM 370-01: Topics In Interactive Multimedia:Game Design

Brief course description:
This course provides students from a variety of disciplines with an introduction to Video Game Engine Design and Architecture. Presentations by faculty will cover topics related to game construction including software engineering, AI, interactive story design, 3-D character and scene animation, networks, sound and music composition and theater production. This course provides a unique opportunity for students from a variety of disciplines to experience cross-disciplinary collaboration and discuss and reflect on the process of a multidisciplinary software development. Students will collaborate to create a completed design document for a 3-D video game as well as develop expertise in implementing proof of concept components of the game. They will learn about the architecture of a game engine by working with an existing commercial engine (Source) while they study how a "toy" or "bare bones" engine is constructed in C++ and DirectX. Based on student background and expertise students will be focus on "art" or "tech." Artist/writers will contribute to the development of a full design of a video game including a story bible, script, story boards, assets lists, pipeline plans, and sample art. Students with a computer science/programming background will take the lead in implementing the toy engine, they will be responsible for developing project management protocols (including animation pipeline processes) within the framework of Microsoft Sharepoint project management software. Assessment of student work will occur through assigned mini-projects, a take-home final (based on reflective journal assignments throughout the semester), and individualized contracts for deliverables.

Prerequisites: CSC 340 or (IMM 270 and one intermediate IMM course)

470-02 Special Topics in Computer Science: Computing in the World Community

Brief course description:
Computing in the World Community will investigate the equitable access to computing worldwide through targeted readings and research. In collaboration with the Bonner Center at The College of New Jersey, students will provide support to local agencies, through community engaged learning experiences that draw upon and expand their skills. Each desired product, created in consultation with a local agency, will permit the student to apply computer science expertise to a real world project. Students will problem solve for their clients and generate useful products by the end of the semester. This course is intended to fulfill the civic responsibility requirement: community engaged learning.

In a recent position paper, two leaders in Computer Science present focal points on interdisciplinary collaboration. Klawe and Shneiderman, in "Viewpoint: Crisis and opportunity in computer science" [CACM Vol. 48, No. 11, Nov. 2005], discuss creating new forms of collaboration benefiting the communities in which we live and work. The impact of a digital society reaches beyond corporate America. They write, "Addressing the diversity of users, computer science researchers would face new challenges in designing hardware, software, and user interfaces for people in developing nations, as well as for older adults and low-literacy users anywhere. Improving the lives of hundreds of millions of people in needy nations can help improve international relations and reduce the appeal of terrorism. Helping older adults would engage them productively so communities benefit from their experience and demonstrated willingness to help others. Low-literacy users would see their opportunities increase while the worldwide work force is enlarged."

Computing in the World Community will be structured in a seminar format. Students will investigate and discuss the present day digital society, identify concerns of inequity, and research globalization issues. Readings will present how the technology industry is addressing corporate citizenship, including special programs and the introduction of novel services. In support of the community engaged learning component, student teams will participate in a project with a community agency, most likely in Trenton. There will be several meetings with the agency: to meet the client, to gather project specifications, to conduct an initial product review, and to present the final product. The Director of the Bonner Center has specified that 15 hours of work for the community client is needed. Project development and testing can be conducted on campus.

Course Prerequisite: Computer Science 340 Programming in the Large.
Students with database experience, such as CSC 446, are encouraged to participate in this course.