-------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION Certificate in Interactive Technologies and Serious Gaming The Graduate Certificate in Interactive Technologies and Serious Gaming is intended for individuals interested in the next generation of interactive and social environment technologies. Note that this is a programmer-intensive certificate best undertaken by students with strong programming skills. This certificate will fill a growing need in the industry for game engine and tools programmers and engineers with exposure to game development concepts, techniques and tools. Exposure to current research in the fields of computer graphics and AI will enable graduates to develop next-generation technologies. The skills learned from the certificate will be applicable to the game industry, as well as in scientific visualization, geographic information systems, and development of training and simulation systems. The Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (LDCSEE) offers a Graduate Certificate in Interactive Technologies and Serious Gaming. By providing systematic graduate courses in this field, our graduates and others should be better prepared to work in many industries devoted to next generation interaction, including the gaming industry. -------------------------------------- OBJECTIVES The purpose of this program is to provide students with a foundation in the aspects of Computer Science that will support the next generation of interactive technologies. The general objectives are: 1) to give graduate students the skills required to conduct advanced research in gaming and interactive technologies; 2) to prepare students for careers in the gaming industry 3) To foster a local gaming and interactive technologies program in WV 4) A peripheral objective is to provide an opportunity for new or recent graduates to acquire advanced skills in Computer Forensics. Specifically it will meet the following objectives: • This certificate program will foster a high-quality, student centered education. • This academic content will provide students with a broad overview of the field and introduce them to recent advances and current research problems. • The certificate will provide a foundation for the development of advanced programs in interactive computing (MS and PhD). • The certificate program will provide our students with ability to work in the gaming industry and other industries that use intense interaction. Connection to the University Mission • provide high-quality programs of instruction at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels: WVU researchers from around the campus have been engaged in gaming-related work for some time now. By involving them all in one certificate program, we will increase the access of faculty to students interested in these technologies. • to stimulate and foster both basic and applied research and scholarship: We firmly believe that the whole is greater than the parts. By creating a community of collaborating researchers in this field, we will foster a wider research program from a broader research community. • to engage in and encourage other creative and artistic work: this program requires the fusion of a broad range of technical and artistic skills. -------------------------------------- PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Students enrolled in this certificate must meet the current entrance requirements for WVU MS Computer Science or MS Electrical Engineering with a major in CpE. -------------------------------------- COURSE OFFERINGS The Interactive Technologies and Serious Gaming certificate program will normally be completed over two years. Requirements for completion of the certificate are 15 credit hours of course work and completion of a final project. The 15 credit hours of course work will be distributed as follows: • 9 hours from three core subjects; • 3 hours from a required seminar class; and • 3 hours from one elective courses. The three core courses are two existing courses and one new one: • Two existing courses: CS 572 “Advanced Artificial Intelligence Techniques”, CS 570 “Interactive Computer Graphics”, • One new course: 593x: “Design of Immersive Media” systems. The following table describes the core curriculum and seminar courses required for certificate completion. Students must do all the following. CS 572: Advanced Artificial Intelligence Techniques (3 credits) CS 570: Interactive Computer Graphics (3 credits) CS 593x: Design of Immersive Media Systems (3 credits) CS 684s: Seminar (over 3 semesters) (3 credits) The following table describes the elective subjects for this certificate. Students can select any one: CS 453: Data and Computer Communications (3 credits) CS 440: Database Design and Theory (3 credits) CS 410: Compiler Construction (3 credits) CS 558: Multimedia Systems (3 credits) Capstone Project The certificate requires 15 credit hours through required core curriculum courses. In addition to the fifteen credit hours upon course completion, the student will be required to complete a capstone project. ---------------------------------------- OUTCOMES Expected learning outcomes: During this course student will learn to • To learn to a variety of programming languages and systems relevant to interactive technologies and gaming • Have knowledge of the basic principles of data structures, discrete mathematics and algorithms as they are applied to interactive technologies and gaming. • Have knowledge of software engineering principles relevant to interactive technologies and gaming. • Be able to work and learn effectively as members of a team. • Be learn advanced concepts of interactive technologies and gaming --------------------------------------- RESOURCES and TUITION Please refer to the WVU website at http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/costs.html for current information on tuition and additional costs. Financial Support through the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering is also available. Details are available (see http://www.lcsee.cemr.wvu.edu/grad/financial-support.php). --------------------------------------- FELLOWSHIPS see http://www.cemr.wvu.edu/students/scholarships.php?level=grad --------------------------------------- FINANCIAL SUPPORT see http://www.lcsee.cemr.wvu.edu/grad/financial-support.php