U. North Texas Adds Game Programming Certificate

The department of computer science and engineering at the University of North Texas will be adding a game programming certificate beginning in fall 2008. Undergraduate students studying computer science, computer engineering, or information technology can elect to add the certificate, which requires a sequence of four classes: two in game programming, one class on game math and physics, and a game development class that will allow students to pursue specific projects. Ian Parberry, a professor of computer science at University of North Texas, says over the last 15 years, since the department was established in 1993, almost 50 alumni have gone to work in the game development industry, at companies such as Terminal Reality, Paradigm Entertainment, and Mumbo Jumbo. “Many universities have since developed game programming certificates, but at UNT we were among the first in the country to offer the programming classes,” Parberry says. The Laboratory for Recreational Computing was established at UNT in 1993 as a crucible for research and education in game programming in an environment that encourages group activity and cooperative learning. “LARC is dedicated to providing educational and research opportunities in game programming to graduate and undergraduate computer science and engineering student,” Parberry says. “After studying in an interdisciplinary environment with students in the College of Visual Arts and Design, LARC alumni are well prepared to enter the game industry.”