Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Design
The Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Design offered by TUS Midwest...
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development with Games Programming
Thurles
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development with Games Programming program at the Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest (TUS Midlands Midwest) is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to develop software applications, with a particular focus on game development. This program combines theoretical foundations with practical skills, enabling students to create engaging and interactive games while gaining a strong understanding of software development principles.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development with Games Programming program covers a wide range of topics relevant to software development and game programming. Core modules include programming languages such as Java, C++, and C#, as well as courses in game design, graphics programming, artificial intelligence, and software engineering principles. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as game engine development, virtual reality, or mobile game development through elective modules. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, with projects and assignments focused on creating playable game prototypes and applications.
Research Focus: Research plays a significant role in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development with Games Programming program, allowing students to explore emerging technologies, trends, and innovations in game development and software engineering. Students have the opportunity to engage in research projects led by faculty members or industry partners, investigating topics such as augmented reality gaming, procedural content generation, or player behavior analysis. Through research-led learning, students develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and research methodologies, preparing them for careers in game development, software engineering, or academic research.
Industry Engagement: TUS Midlands Midwest maintains strong connections with the games industry, providing students with opportunities for industry engagement and professional development. Industry partnerships include internships, work placements, guest lectures, and collaborative projects with game development studios, technology companies, and indie game developers. These experiences expose students to real-world game development processes, best practices, and industry standards, enhancing their employability and providing valuable networking opportunities within the games industry.
Global Perspective: The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development with Games Programming program at TUS Midlands Midwest incorporates a global perspective on game development, recognizing the international nature of the games industry and the importance of cultural diversity and global collaboration. Students learn about global gaming trends, cultural influences on game design, and international gaming markets, as well as global initiatives for game accessibility and inclusivity. Through international study opportunities, game development competitions, or collaborations with international game studios, students gain exposure to diverse cultural perspectives, gaming traditions, and market dynamics, enhancing their understanding of global game development and preparing them to work in multinational game companies or address global gaming audiences.
Location
Thurles
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
€ 12500
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 with a minimum of 17 in each section.
- PTE: Overall score of 52 with a minimum of 50 in each section.
- DET: Overall score of 105.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
It's important to note that entry requirements can vary by program and may change over time. Additionally, some programs may have additional requirements, such as interviews, portfolios, or work experience.
TUS: Midlands Midwest, situated in Ireland, provides various scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support the academic aspirations of international students seeking to pursue their education at the institution.
Merit-Based Scholarships: The university offers merit-based scholarships for outstanding academic achievers. These scholarships often consider students' academic records, achievements, and potential contributions to the academic community.
Country-Specific Scholarships: TUS may offer scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries or regions, encouraging diversity and inclusivity within the student body.
Financial Need-Based Scholarships: In addition to merit-based scholarships, the institution may provide financial need-based scholarships to students facing economic hardships, ensuring access to quality education irrespective of financial constraints.
Sports and Art Scholarships: TUS recognizes talents beyond academics and may offer scholarships to students excelling in sports, arts, or other extracurricular activities. These scholarships aim to support and nurture students' diverse talents.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development with Games Programming program from the Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest (TUS Midlands Midwest) are well-prepared for exciting and diverse career opportunities within the rapidly evolving games industry and software development sector.
Game Developer: Graduates may pursue careers as game developers, responsible for designing, programming, and implementing interactive and engaging gameplay experiences. They work on various aspects of game development, including game mechanics, user interfaces, graphics rendering, and audio integration, using programming languages such as C++, Java, or C#. Game developers may specialize in specific areas such as gameplay programming, engine development, or artificial intelligence (AI) programming.
Game Designer: Some graduates may work as game designers, responsible for conceptualizing game ideas, creating game design documents, and defining the overall vision and direction of a game project. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including artists, programmers, and producers, to develop game concepts, design levels and game mechanics, and iterate on gameplay features to ensure a compelling player experience. Game designers may specialize in areas such as level design, narrative design, or systems design.
Graphics Programmer: Graduates with a strong background in graphics programming may pursue careers as graphics programmers, focusing on developing advanced graphics rendering techniques and visual effects for games and interactive applications. They optimize rendering pipelines, implement shader programs, and integrate cutting-edge graphics technologies such as ray tracing, physically based rendering (PBR), and real-time global illumination. Graphics programmers may work on rendering engines, game engines, or graphics middleware libraries.
AI Programmer: Some graduates may specialize in artificial intelligence (AI) programming, developing intelligent behavior and decision-making systems for non-player characters (NPCs) and game entities. They implement AI algorithms and techniques such as pathfinding, behavior trees, and decision-making algorithms to create lifelike and responsive AI behaviors that enhance player immersion and challenge. AI programmers may work on character AI, enemy AI, or procedural content generation systems.
Tools Programmer: Graduates may work as tools programmers, developing software tools and utilities to support game development workflows, streamline content creation processes, and improve team productivity. They design and implement level editors, asset pipelines, debugging tools, and performance profiling tools to assist game developers in creating, testing, and optimizing game content. Tools programmers may work on game engines, integrated development environments (IDEs), or content creation tools.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: Some graduates may start their careers as QA testers, responsible for testing games and software applications to identify bugs, glitches, and usability issues. They conduct functional testing, compatibility testing, and regression testing to ensure that games meet quality standards and performance requirements. QA testers provide feedback to developers, report defects, and participate in bug tracking and resolution processes to ensure the overall quality of game releases.
Independent Game Developer: Graduates with entrepreneurial ambitions may choose to pursue careers as independent game developers, creating and publishing their own games as solo developers or small indie studios. They develop original game concepts, create game prototypes, and manage all aspects of game development, including programming, art, design, and marketing. Independent game developers may self-publish their games on digital platforms such as Steam, itch.io, or mobile app stores.
Game Producer or Project Manager: Graduates with strong leadership and organizational skills may transition into roles as game producers or project managers, responsible for overseeing the development process, managing project schedules, budgets, and resources, and ensuring the successful delivery of game projects on time and within budget. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, communicate project goals and priorities, and facilitate decision-making processes to drive project success and achieve business objectives.
