Master of Science in Computer Science

Program Overview
The interactive real-time simulation software and video game industry is exciting and dynamic. Currently worth about 35 billion US dollars worldwide, the industry is an active research field that is still young and offers tremendous opportunities to talented people. The number of people involved in different game activities (game console, personal computer, hand-held, on-line, wireless devices, etc.) is expected to thrive. The trend is conservatively estimated to be growing at the rate of 10% per year. The 3D computer graphics technology continues to drive innovations and new game titles as well. It is an exciting and dynamic industry and an active research field that is still young, offering tremendous opportunities to talented people.

Gaming companies increasingly demand programmers or leading engineers with an in-depth comprehension and a solid background in mathematics, physics, and 3D computer graphics. On the other hand, many developers currently working in the field have been seeking postgraduate education to update their knowledge, sharpen their professional skills, or advance in the industry. The curriculum taught in many colleges and universities, however, lacks a focus on implementation of these exclusive objectives. Both companies and individuals consequently feel that a four-year program with a bachelor degree is evidently inadequate and often limits them from advancing professionally. More extensive training at a postgraduate level is needed.

DigiPen Institute of Technology has awarded the Bachelor of Science in R.T.I.S. since 2000. This degree provides both academic and practical training for programming computer games. It has been highly successful, and DigiPen was named the top school in the world for game-degree programs by Electronic Gaming Monthly Magazine (Dec. 2002). The Institute is now pleased to award a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science. This new program will specialize in real-time interactive simulation and is designed to attract talented students who have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in one of the following:

• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering or related studies
• A general field, along with some computer science studies or some game-industry experience

The M.S. in C.S. program offers extended education in areas of 3D computer graphics, animation and modeling techniques, artificial intelligence algorithms, image processing, and real-time rendering, combined with related training in computer science, mathematics, and physics.

This graduate program at DigiPen provides an opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of academic fundamentals in 3D computer graphics. Students who successfully complete the degree will possess and/or improve the following professional skills:

• In-depth foundation in mathematics and physics, such as implicit curves and surfaces, theory and applications of quaternions, differential geometry, computational geometry, wavelets, graph theory, advanced numerical analysis, and finite elements.
• Advanced knowledge in 3D computer graphics, including advanced animation and modeling algorithms (interpolation, rigid body, deformable object, inverse kinematics, natural phenomena facial, motion blending and capture, etc.), advanced rendering techniques (level of details, implicit surfaces, pipeline optimization, advanced intersection and collision detection, etc.), artificial intelligence, game engine design, physically-based modeling algorithms, ray tracing, and radiosity.
• Solid hands-on experience on game projects, including advanced game (single or multi-player) design, documentation, project management, marketing, networking, distributed systems, streaming media testing, and working with external contractors.
• Strong capability of academic research in the area of 3D computer graphics, including virtual reality, illumination and shading algorithms, animation techniques, surface representation and rendering, volume visualization and morphing algorithms, geometry, and modeling.

Computer technology pervades modern society. Those who thoroughly comprehend it have a wide range of rewarding career options. This graduate degree program prepares students specifically for advanced career choices.

Length
The Master of Science in Computer Science program consists of 30 credits offered over 2 semesters of 15 weeks each. This program usually takes one academic year to complete but must be completed within three years.

Students accepted with deficiencies may be required to take one additional year (up to 3 semesters) of coursework. Therefore, this program usually takes two academic years to complete for a full-time student admitted with deficiencies.

Recommended Course Sequence
Click here to see the recommended course sequence for the Master of Science in Computer Science. Please note the following during the course of study, graduate students may not receive more than three C grades and must have an overall 3.0 GPA to graduate.

See Also Admissions Requirements