The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved
a new undergraduate degree program in simulation, animation
and gaming at its regular meeting Nov. 18.
"The College of Technology is always looking to become
more relevant to the needs of our students and the job
market," said Morell Boone, dean of EMU's College of Technology. "This
new interdisciplinary program will do just that. It is
morphing the curriculum in various disciplines into an
exciting offering for today's students."
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Boone |
"The bachelor's degree in Simulation, Animation and Gaming
(SAG) is an interdisciplinary program that will prepare
students for careers in designing and developing traditional
and digital animation, games, entertainment, film and videos,
3D models, realistic simulations and programming," said
Pamela Speelman, professor of graphic design and multimedia
at EMU.
While other schools offer degrees in multi-media and animation
or gaming, Speelman said EMU's program is different because
of the visual simulation component.
"This program is based on the reality that the entertainment
industry is the fastest growing industry today, according
to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA)," Speelman
said. "And EMU's program will have a component not addressed
by other colleges — simulation."
"Simulation differs amongst academic disciplines. This
program focuses on visualization and the appearance of
realism," Speelman said.
The program, which will begin in January 2009, will consist
of courses in art, computer science, graphic design, management
and communication, and some newly developed SAG classes.
SAG will implement a multi-disciplinary approach and, after
two years, will allow students to either continue with
design or branch off into computer programming.
The program will be housed and administered by the School
of Technology Studies in the College of Technology.
There are no additional admission requirements for this
program.
"This distinct program in SAG will allow EMU to compete
against national universities as it simultaneously strives
to distinguish itself within the fast growing fields of
the video gaming market and simulation, which are expanding
globally and across disciplines," Speelman said.
