The Washington Business Journal ranks the Baltimore/ Washington D.C. area third in the number of computer game companies nationally, with average starting salaries close to $58,000 for programmers and $45,500 for artists, according to gamecareerguide.com. UMBC graduates have gone on to work in leading companies such as Big Huge Games, Breakaway , Firaxis, Mythic, ZeniMax online studios and AMD.

Based on both local and national employer feedback, UMBC has created a new game development track as an option for students pursuing a B.S. degree in computer science, and a concentration in animation and interactive media for students persuing a B.A. degree in visual arts. Highlights include

• Required classes applicable to games
• Preparation for a career in the game industry
• Combined programmer + artist senior project
• Join track by your Junior year

Computer Science Game Development Track courses this Spring:

• PHYS 121
• CMSC 435, CMSC 461, CMSC 481, and CMSC 493.
• Bonus classes!
  • CMSC 479: Introduction to Robotics
  • CMSC 491: Game User Interface Programming
    Taught by industry veteran Katie Hirsch of Firaxis Games
  • CMSC 491: Multi- and Many-core Programming

The UMBC GAIM programs acknowledge generous support from