Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Graphics Programming)

The Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Graphics Programming) uniquely mirrors industrial games software creation by offering a learning experience that integrates students from art and design within a team-oriented studio environment.The courses provide specialised skills, knowledge and theory for the development of creative vision and expression in digital art, games graphics design and digital graphics programming.A key feature of this degree is that you undertake projects and core courses with students from RMIT’s Games Design program.

The cross-discipline mode used in teaching some courses ensures grounding in concepts governing the programming of graphics for the creative industries in general and the electronic games industry in particular.A 24-credit-point capstone cross-disciplinary project (COSC2350 Interactive Digital Media Project A and COSC2351 Interactive Digital Media Project B) in the final (third) year of the program runs over two semesters and provides experience under supervision in the development lifecycle of a substantial piece of digital media software, integrating practice and theory.

The cross-disciplinary project teams simulate the production of a digital media artifact (e.g., video game, online virtual world) adhering to a schedule comprising multiple milestones and presentations in each semester.Studies are set in the context of a broader computer science and software engineering framework, applicable to the IT industry in general.Core topics in the field of video games programming includes physics, mathematics, programming techniques, algorithm design, game-specific programming and the technical aspects of game testing.

While material in this area could be in part taught under the auspices of a traditional computer science or software engineering curriculum, games present a very specific set of programming challenges, such as optimization of mainstream algorithms (e.g., sorting, path-finding, real-time 3D rendering, etc.) that are better addressed in a specialized degree program.This program is delivered on campus;

some courses may be available online.

Year One of Program

Stage A: Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

Stage B: Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

AND

Year Two of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses:

Select and Complete Twenty-Four (24) credit points from Games Programming Options. Please refer to the list of Games Programming Option Courses at the end of this program structure

AND

Year Three of Program

Complete the following Four (4) Courses:

Select and Complete Twenty-Four (24) credit points from Games Programming Options. Please refer to the list of Games Programming Option Courses at the end of this program structure.

Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from any:

AND

Games Programming Options:

List of Games Programming Option Courses:

Program entry requirements

Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent.

For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to Australian academic entry requirements, see the Country equivalents web page.

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL; Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in one of Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics.

English language requirements

A minimum IELTS (Academic module) overall score of 6.5, with no band below 6.0; or equivalent.

For equivalents to English entry requirements, see the English equivalents web page.

You are expected to develop the following Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Enabling Knowledge

You will gain skills as you apply knowledge effectively in diverse contexts.

2. Critical Analysis

You will learn to accurately and objectively examine and consider computer science and information technology (IT) topics, evidence, or situations, in particular to:

• Analyse and model requirements and constraints for the purpose of designing and implementing software artefacts and IT systems;
• Evaluate and compare designs of software artefacts and IT systems on the basis of requirements of of organisational and user requirements.

3. Problem Solving

Your capability to analyse problems and synthesise suitable solutions will be extended as you learn to:

• Design and implement software solutions that accommodate specified requirements and constraints, based on analysis or modelling or requirements specification.

4. Communication

You will learn to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences through a range of modes and media, in particular to:

• Present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of software applications, alternative IT solutions, and decision recommendations to both IT and non-IT personnel via technical reports of professional standard and technical presentations.

5. Team Work

You will learn to work as an effective and productive team member in a range of professional and social situations, in particular to:

• Work effectively in different roles, to form, manage, and successfully produce outcomes from teams, whose members may have diverse cultural backgrounds and life circumstances and differing levels of technical expertise.

6. Responsibility

You will be required to accept responsibility for your own learning and make informed decisions about judging and adopting appropriate behaviour in professional and social situations. This includes accepting the responsibility for independent life-long learning. Specifically, you will learn to:

• Effectively apply relevant standards, ethical considerations, and an understanding of legal and privacy issues to designing software applications and IT systems.