Interdisciplinary
Undergraduate Minor

Overview

The Minor in Game Design and Development complements the depth of knowledge students acquire in their majors with a rigorous, interdisciplinary minor. The minor is an elite program available only to students that apply and are accepted into it. The students in the minor flow as a cohort through a sequence of courses, typically across their junior and senior years.  Within the minor courses, students learn the foundations and develop core competencies in their primary focus area (art, design, or programming) and broaden their horizons as interdisciplinary team members, learning game design theories and principles, collaborating on several game projects, and engaging in active learning and authentic, situated creative problem-solving while building a portfolio of game projects. The minor focuses on both hard and soft skills required to be successful in the game industry.

The minor, which is administered by the Department of Media and Information, is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Games and Interactive Media, or the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media Arts and Information at Michigan State University.

Quick Links

Contacts

Game Design and Development Advisor
Christopher Roberts
robe1145@msu.edu
189 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
517-353-5583

Game Design and Development Program Coordinator
Brian Winn
winnb@msu.edu
253 Communication Arts & Sciences
517-353-5497

Can I do both the major and the minor?

It is possible to do both the major in Games and Interactive Media and the minor in Game Design and Development. They are two different things. The minor is an elite, application only, interdisciplinary program focused on game development in a team setting. For students in the major that want an additional challenge and desire the cohort-based experience, they should consider applying for the minor. Many of the coursework in the minor will also count toward the major. Further, several of the minor courses are ONLY available to students in the minor. So, if for example a major student wants to take the courses in the minor, they must apply for and be accepted into the minor.

Eligibility & Applying
Students from the above named majors are eligible to apply for the minor if they have completed or are currently enrolled in the prerequisites applicable to their major as listed below.

To apply, students must submit an application stating their interest in the minor and a portfolio demonstrating their expertise in media design, computer science, or art. Applications are due by the tenth week of the spring semester. Depending on the number of students applying, oral interviews may be requested.  Academic performance will also be considered.

Program Online Application Form

Students accepted into the minor may begin the minor in the subsequent fall semester. The advisor for the game design and development minor must approve the student’s program of study.

Time Constraints

By applying to this minor, students are making a two year time commitment. It should be understood that the Game Design and Development Minor takes two full years (4 semesters) to complete.
Class Level
Students can apply once they are at junior standing, having earned at least 56 credits.

Fall 2020+ Course Prerequisites

1.Take the following course (3 credits):

CAS117Games and Interactivity3

2.Take two of the following courses (6 credits):

MI227Concept Design for Games, Film, and TV3
MI230Games Design3
MI231Game and Interactive Media Development3
MI247Three-Dimensional Graphics and Design3
CSE232Introduction to Programming II3
CSE331Algorithms and Data Structures3
CSE335Object-oriented Software Design3
GD360Graphic Design I3
STA201Fundamentals of Comic Art and Graphic Novels3
STA380Electronic Art3
Requirements for the Minor in Game Design and Development
Complete the following (15 credits)

1. All of the following courses (12 credits):

MI445Game Design and Development I3
MI455Game Design and Development II3
MI497Game Design Studio3
MI498Collaborative Game Design3

2. Complete one of the following courses (3 credits):

CSE422Computer Networks3
CSE435Software Engineering3
CSE440Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
CSE471Media Processing and Multimedia Computing3
CSE472Computer Graphics3
CSE476Mobile Application Development3
CSE477Web Application Architecture and Development3
CSE480Database Systems3
CSE484Information Retrieval3
MI327Advanced Concept Design for Games, Film, and TV3
MI330Game Level Design3
MI332Game Interface Design3
MI334eSports and Online Broadcasting3
MI337Compositing and Special Effects3
MI339Games and Society3
MI344Sound Design for Cinema, Television, and Games3
MI347Advanced Three-Dimensional Computer Animation3
MI349Web Design and Development3
MI377Advanced 3D Modeling3
MI402Topics in Game Studies3
MI430Game Writing3
MI431Advanced Game Development3
MI447Three-Dimensional Graphics and Animation Portfolio3
MI449Advanced Web Development and Database Management3
MI477Character Design3
MI482Building Virtual Worlds3
MI484Building Innovative Interfaces3
MI486Serious Game Design3
STA301Advanced Comic Art and Graphic Novels3
STA350Figure Modeling3
STA351Mixed Media and Installation3
STA380Electronic Art3
STA384Experiments in Digital Video3
STA385Interactive Environments and Digital Fabrication3
STA450Senior Project in Advanced Sculpture3
GD460Graphic Design II: Visual Communication3
GD462Spatial Design3
GD468Interaction Design3