Computer Science - Games and Media Integration, MSCS-GMI

One of the most exciting aspects of the GMI degree program is the combination of a set of required courses that ensure that all students develop a firm foundation in the basics of design and development of media convergence, games and media integration (McGMI) products, and the opportunity for students to pursue their special interests through several elective courses and portfolio development. Media convergence is all about Complex Systems.

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Objectives

Program graduates will demonstrate and be able to perform to professional standards in the following areas:

A broad understanding of the entire spectrum of media convergence, complex systems, games and media integration (GMI).
A thorough understanding of the process of creating, designing, product development and deployment of a game, animation and movie, or a wearable computing product.
Proficiency with many of the tools and techniques for implementing game and media integration product for the industry.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Considerable computing experience and promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research.
An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. Applicants with a grade point average of less than 3.0 may be provisionally admitted on a case-by-case basis.
Completed Admission Forms, including two copies of official transcripts and three references sent to the Computer Science Department.

Program Prerequisites

The equivalent of the following UCCS courses:

CS 1450 - Data Structures and Algorithms
CS 3060 - Object-Oriented Programming Using C++
or
CS 3020 - Advanced Object Technology Using C#/.Net
or

Knowledge of Maya Embedded Language (MEL)/ 3D Studio MAX/Advanced Media Projects
MATH 2150 - Discrete Mathematics
MATH 3130 - Introduction to Linear Algebra

Note:

A student who lacks one or more of the above courses may be admitted, but would still be required to satisfy the above requirements after admission. Students with considerable knowledge of programming and/or mathematical experience in the animation and game industry are encouraged to apply.

Degree Requirements

A student will earn a Master of Science degree in Computer Science - Media Convergence, Games and Media Integration (GMI) - after completing 30 hours of graduate work, as follows:

Required Core Courses (9 Credit Hours)

The following three courses or their equivalents are required (if they were not previously taken as upper division undergraduate courses):

CS 5800 - Computer Graphics
CS 5720 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms
CS 5780 - VR/AR/XR Technologies, 3D Games & Digital Contents Creations
Although CS Department provides every opportunity for a student to take these courses by offering them regularly, sometimes required courses may not be available for a student to take during their time at UCCS, please consult the CS department point of Contact for the MSCS-GMI program for further advise, at the earliest convenience, or as necessary.

Note:

GMI students considering PhD program in Computer Science are also encouraged to consider:

Thesis (6 credit hours) or Project (3 or 6 Credit Hours)

Students are required to complete a project (three or six credit hours) or a thesis (six credit hours). A maximum total of nine credit hours of thesis or project, and portfolio is allowed, ensuring that students have sufficient coursework in the games and media integration areas. Students will be expected to work with an advisor in the GMI area of concentration following the guidelines of MS Thesis or Project work in the CS Department.

Required Portfolio (up to 6 Credit Hours)

GMI students are required to develop an industrial portfolio with an interdisciplinary focus. Through the portfolio, the student shows an ability to completely realize their individual contributions, resulting in possibly a high-quality exhibit, movie, or game.

The interdisciplinary nature of the GMI program provides all students with extensive knowledge in the widely-varied aspects of Media Convergence, Complex Systems, Games and Media integration. In turn, this provides students with the chance to integrate technical and artistic ideas in their portfolio. With the portfolio requirement, students carry out a concept to completion, for example: a story would be conceived and then animated; a quest imagined and then fulfilled; or a wearable computing product imagined and implemented.

Suggested applications with strong McGMI emphasis areas include but are not limited to the following: applications integrated in TheatreWorks Productions, Digital Animation Movie Production and/or Production of Games, EAS Open House demonstrations, art exhibits, applications coordinating with the Center on Aging, work with visual and performing arts, complex systems theory and applications embedded into 3D Games, and disability applications.

The student’s portfolio advisory committee will consist of three faculty members, including at least one CS graduate faculty member and, if applicable, one faculty member from LAS. The third member should preferably come from a local industry, representing for example the SigGraph, IGDA community with major portfolio development experience. The GMI Program Director initially would be the CS portfolio advisor.

Completed works are expected to be submitted to SigGraph Animation and Film Festival, International Symposium on Wearable Computing, a variety of virtual reality and HCI interaction conferences, Game Developers Conference, or other related venues around the world.

Elective Courses

The remaining credit hours will be from the following set of 3 credit hour elective courses. Note that some courses have prerequisites as noted.

Independent Study or additional GMI Portfolio (up to 6 credit hours)

Computer Science Masters (MSCS) program allows up to six hours of independent study, MSCS-McGMI students have an option of up to six additional credit hours of GMI Portfolio on Complexity and Complex systems in-lieu of independent study. Additionally, GMI Portfolio CS 7060 on McGMI topics, Complexity and Complex Systems may be available on limited basis to CS-PhD and MSCS students in Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. Contact GMI Program Director for details on GMI-Portfolio on Complexity and Complex Systems, if interested.

Transfer Credit

Up to 9 hours of graduate work may be transferred from an accredited graduate program, provided:

Coursework has not been used for any other degree.
Grade earned for the course(s) is B or better.
The coursework has been taken within past six years.
The course coverage is equal in level, content, and depth to the course for which it is being substituted.

Additional Graduate Degree Requirements

Students considering the PhD in Computer Science or Security may want to plan their study based on required courses for both degrees. For additional information, contact the CS Office at csinfo@uccs.edu.

Computer Science, PhD

Four courses are required: CS 5300 (Software Engineering), CS 5720 Design and Analysis of Algorithms, CS 5200 Computer Architecture, and CS 5500 Operating Systems.

Security, PhD

The Written Qualifier Exam consists of four distinct topics: CS 5220 Computer Communication, CS 5910 Fundamentals of Network and Computer Security, CS 5920 Applied Cryptography, and CS CS 5950 Homeland Security and Cyber Security.

Further Information

Call (719) 255-3553, visit UCCS MSCS-GMI website or e-mail csinfo@uccs.edu.

Other additional information and resources: UCCS ICORE (interdisciplinarity, Community, or Researchers and Educators) — History of GMI Program and Alumni Donation — GMI Area Graduate Alumni List - 117 Students (10 PhD, 93 MSCS, 14 MSCS-GMI, as of Summer 2023)