• » Bachelor of Science in Computing With Computer Games Development

    Programme Title  Bachelor of Science in Computing With Computer Games Development
    CAO Code  LY707
    LYIT internal code   LY_KGAME_D
    Duration  3 Years ab initio with the option to do a 1 year add-on honours degree
    Standard Code Places:  48
    National Framework Level  7
    Award Type  Major
    Awarding Body  LYIT, under Delegated Authority from HETAC
    Is this Programme for Me?
    Do you play computer games? Ever thought about creating your own? This course has been developed with the help of computer game companies. It covers key skills, methods and techniques used in the development of computer games. Our aim is to provide tomorrows game developers for this growing sector of the Irish economy.
    The global computer games industry is an area with enormous potential for development. Worldwide, the value of the computer games industry is in excess of €85 billion. Although the Computer Games industry in Ireland is still quite young it is growing fast and the Irish Government has targeted this area for particular growth in the future. In response to this growth area Letterkenny Institute of Technology has developed a B.Sc. in Computing in Computer Games Development.

    In response to this growth area Letterkenny Institute of Technology has developed a B.Sc. in Computing in Computer Games Development.

    For a description of a day in the life of a Computer Games Designer see the following YouTube video: Computer game designer. The following article which you may also find interesting appeared in the Irish Times on 4/5/11 Game On.

    For a testimonial from a graduate of the course follow this link.

    If you are interested in studying computer games development and you would like to find out more about it you might find the information in the following document useful to help you start: Beginning game development 
    Course Structure
    The B.Sc. is a three year taught programme in computing, which focuses on core computing skills plus topics applicable to the computer games programming/development industry. Its aim is to provide students who participate in it with the range of both theoretical and practical skills required for them to participate fully in a strong and vibrant computing industry with a particular emphasis on computer games development. In designing this course we have ensured that there is also a strong emphasis on game design, media content and teamwork. In addition graduates from this course will be able to do a planned one-year add-on Honours BSc in Computer Games Development.
    For some general information about why you might consider a career in computing: Careers Evenings and Computers .
    Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
    Grade D3 or higher in at least five ordinary level subjects at Leaving Certificate, including Mathematics and either Irish or English, or an equivalent qualification.
    • FEATC applicants click FETAC
    • Applicants presenting non-Irish exams as a basis for entry, please check the IOTCEF listing to search for the entry relevant to your country
    • Applicants who are interested in taking selected modules only from this programme and/or those interested in studying this programme in a part-time mode, click Part-time Study
    What will I have to study?
    Year/SemesterModulesMandatory/
    Elective    		No of creditsClass hours per week
     1/1  Introduction to OO Programming I Mandatory  5  5
     Communications Mandatory  5  4
     Discrete Mathematics Mandatory  5  4
     Student Development Mandatory  5  4
     General Computing Mandatory  5  4
     Computer Applications Mandatory  5  4
     1/2  Introduction to OO Programming II Mandatory  5  5
     Problem Solving Mandatory  5  3
     Mathematics for Computer Graphics Mandatory  5  4
     Computer Architecture Mandatory  5  4
     Introduction to Computer Games Mandatory  5  4
     Games Programming I Mandatory  5  4
     2/3  Object Oriented Programming Mandatory  5  5
     Requirements Elicitation & Specification Mandatory  5  4
     Database Technology Mandatory  5  4
     Operating Systems Mandatory  5  4
     Graphics & Audio Production for Games Mandatory  5  4
     C++ for Java Programmers Mandatory  5  4
     2/4  OO GUI Programming Mandatory  5  4
     Structured Query Language (SQL) Mandatory  5  4
     Sets, Relations & Functions Mandatory  5  4
     Data Communications Mandatory  5  4
     Game Authoring & Animation Mandatory  5  4
     Graphics Programming for Games I Mandatory  5  4
     3/5  Software Implementation Mandatory  5  4
     Object Oriented Analysis & Design Mandatory  5  4
     Maths & Physics for Games Mandatory  5  4
     Research Methods Mandatory  5  4
     Advanced Game Design Mandatory  5  4
     Graphics Programming for Games II Mandatory  5  4
     3/6  Algorithms & Data Structures for Games Programming Mandatory  5  4
     Project Management Mandatory  5  4
     Client/Server Database Architecture Mandatory  5  4
     Team Project Mandatory  5  4
     3D Modelling for Games Mandatory  5  4
     Games Programming with DirectX Mandatory  5  4
    Are there follow-up Programmes Available?
    Progression is available to a one year Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in Computer Games Development internally at LYIT. See: course details page.
    On completion of this programme graduates may go on to study for their Honours Degree at other ITs and Universities in Ireland and abroad. Progression internationally to second cycle (i.e. ‘Bologna Masters’) degree programmes.
    Career opportunities
    The computer game industry is seriously big business these days. The business has now overtaken the DVD industry, and is worth around $65bn (€48bn). It is expected to pass $73bn within the next two years. Some 6.5 million copies of 'Modern Warfare 3' were sold on the first day of sale in the UK and United States. The games sector in Ireland is here in force. ActivisionBlizzard, which created the Modern Warfare series, employs some 600 people in Cork. A division of EA Games, which runs such blue chip franchises as 'FIFA Football' and the 'Medal of Honor' series, has 200 staff in Galway. That is on top of a legion of smaller firms which are involved in the industry as well. Employment in the games sector has increased more than five-fold since 2004, to the point that close to 2,000 people now work in the sector, and that excludes support services such as animation and e-learning. The IDA expects the industry here to add 50pc over the next two years. A report by government think tank Forfas last month said the growth in gaming produced numerous opportunities for growth in Ireland, especially given changes in the sector overall. The main opportunity areas for the development and growth of the games sector in Ireland, says Forfas, are creative game development and servicing, as well as what it calls software solutions and online publishing. Creating the game -- coming up with the idea in the first place and making it a reality that is user friendly and challenging -- is the challenge for all game developers. Just like the wider technology sector, Ireland has been successful by creating a hub of excellence by attracting the likes of Google in 2003 and then other firms like Facebook and LinkedIn followed once they saw there was a supply of suitable employees available locally.

    And for an idea of what computing might look like in the future see the following video by Microsoft on YouTube: Microsoft Future of Computing or see Microsoft's Future Vision 2019 You can be part of it.
    For a report on employment and salaries in the IT industry in 2010-2011: Jobs and Salaries in IT. 
    For some videos you might find interesting see Ireland is becoming the Internet Capital of Europe and Gaming in Ireland.
    For the latest update on employment in the IT Sector see 2,500 Unfilled Jobs in Irish Tech Sector.
    For information on the projected growth of the Irish Games sector see: The Games Sector in Ireland: An Action Plan for Growth.
    Finally, for a recent article which appeared in the Irish Independent see: Game: college courses that virtually guarantee you will get a job.
    For articles from 2012 which you might find helpful see:
    High-tech sector better for jobs than traditional areas, says IDA
    Increase in demand for IT professionals at the end of 2011 - report
    State ignoring tech skills gap at its peril
    This course begins in September each year. How to Apply
    If you would like to learn more about computing attend our Summer Computing Camp .
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    • Contact Thomas Dowling, Head of Department of Computing, Letterkenny Institute of Technology by
    • E- Mail: thomas.dowling@lyit.ie
    • Telephone: (074) 918 6304