University of California, Los Angeles School of the Arts and Architecture 36 courses
The undergraduate Games major begins with a rigorous lower-division course series forming a technical, critical, cultural and formal foundation. These courses cover computer programming, 3D modeling, digital image making, animation, critical game studies, and other aspects key to physical and digital game design, production and literacy. From this foundation, students pursue upper-division core and elective studio and theory courses in game design, game engines, interactive animation, game histories and analysis, worldbuilding, virtual reality, collaboration, and experimental practices. Additional upper-division electives allow further exploration of sound design, generative art, user interface design, and professional practice. The program culminates in a two-quarter-long senior capstone project. Most courses are taught as studios of no more than 22 students, which encourages individual growth, allows for strong faculty mentorship, and fosters a sense of community within the department. The Games major is a designated capstone major. Students are required to complete an advanced project of their own that entails full engagement with the field. Through their capstone work, students demonstrate their capacities for research, ideation/concept development, creative and design direction, communication strategy, narrative design, production/fabrication, and critical analysis. Capstone courses also support career choice, and final projects are documented and showcased at the spring senior show.
Preparation for the Major: Required Lecture Course
Complete the following course:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 7 | Critical Game Culture | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Elective Lecture Courses
Select one of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 8 | Media Histories | 5 |
| DESMA 10 | Design Culture | 5 |
Preparation for the Major: Required Studio Courses
Complete the following four courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 21 | Drawing and Color | 4 |
| DESMA 22 | Form | 4 |
| DESMA 27 | Three-Dimensional Modeling | 4 |
| DESMA 28 | Interactivity | 4 |
Preparation for the Major: Elective Studio Courses
Select one of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 24 | Motion | 4 |
| DESMA 25 | Typography | 4 |
The Major: Required Lecture Course
Complete the following course:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 107 | Games Histories and Analyses | 5 |
The Major: Required Studio Courses
Complete the following seven courses
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 110 | Tangible Media | 5 |
| DESMA 125 | Game Design | 5 |
| DESMA 126 | Game Engine | 5 |
| DESMA 127 | Interactive Animation | 5 |
| DESMA 128 | Worldbuilding | 5 |
| DESMA 129 | Collaborative Game Lab | 5 |
| DESMA 130 | Experiments in Virtuality | 5 |
The Major: Elective Studio Courses
Select two of the following courses:
The Major: Senior Project
Complete the following two courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DESMA 159A | Senior Praxis | 5 |
| DESMA 159B | Senior Capstone Project | 5 |
Click a course code or title to read the full course description.
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