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 Breakaway Games, Firaxis, Mythic Entertainment 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

Visual Arts 380, History and Theory of Games, has been revamped, renamed, and is being offered for the first time in its new form this Fall

Computer Science is offering three Game Development Track courses this summer and more this fall!

• Summer: CMSC 437, CMSC 455, and CMSC 461
• Fall: CMSC 435, CMSC 445, CMSC 455, CMSC 461, CMSC 471, CMSC 481
• Bonus this Fall! CMSC 491g: Computer Graphics for Games, to be taught by Dan Baker of Firaxis Games