Course description
Games and Interactive Technologies focuses on the tools and techniques for development of computer games software, including artificial intelligence and “serious games”.
This course is suitable for those with strong computing skills. Typical students on this course will have a good honours degree in a computing related discipline, but applicants from other backgrounds are welcome to apply. As the title implies, the course aims to introduce and develop specialist technical skills and knowledge relating to all aspects of computer games development.
The curriculum reflects the strong research focus and expertise relating to this subject area in the Faculty and the University. The diverse curriculum is designed to ensure effective grounding in the necessary concepts before moving to practical application using suitable toolsets and techniques.
The course incorporates a combination of key topics not currently offered in "traditional" games technology courses. Successful graduates will be prepared for the current industry demands, but more importantly, will have the capability and background knowledge to keep pace with this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
On successful completion of this course students will have acquired high level professional and technical skills to be able to serve the needs of the growing sector of the games industry. However, the skills acquired through this course can be effectively utilised in more traditional commercial and scientific computing environments.
If you have no formal qualifications but have professional business or industrial experience, we will consider your application on its merits. If English is not your first language, you must also have English Language at IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 250, or equivalent.
In addition applicants for MSc Games and Interactive Technologies should normally hold a degree in some aspect of computer science, information technology, mathematics or engineering.
Course content
This course has two parts, the Taught Modules and Master Project.
Successful completion of the taught modules, which involves eight single modules of study, leads to the award of Postgraduate Diploma and, if the appropriate performance is achieved, allows progression onto the Masters Project.
Taught Modules
* The Creative Computing Industry (double)
* Interactive Technologies and Mobile Computing (double)
* Programming for Games and Interactive Media (double)
* Game Art and Effects Development
* Usability
* Research Methods
Master Project
The final stage of this course requires the completion of a master’s project, which must relate directly to the subject being studied. To complete this successfully students will develop a sound capability to carry out research. The project can be conducted either as a placement in an external organisation or working with one of the University research groups.
The MSc project serves to integrate, apply and further develop the different aspects within the taught part of the programme.
Assessment
The course requires full-time study over 12 months. It is divided into three semesters and you may start the course in either late September or early February. The taught modules will be studied and completed during the first two semesters. The master’s project will be undertaken over the third semester.
The modules are assessed by either coursework assignments or written examinations or both, which occur within the semesters.
Part-time study
Although these details describe full-time study it is possible to take this course on a part-time basis attending just two evenings a week. Details of the part-time course are given separately.
