Top Game Design School in Alabama - 2024 College Rankings

University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is home to the College of Science, which houses the Department of Computer Science. Within the department are several paths to study game design. Options include the Computer Science (CS) BS with an Entertainment Computing concentration; a 24 credit hour Entertainment Computing minor; and a Game Design and Development minor that can be added to just about any program. 

Computer Science is the largest department in the College of Science and programs are fully accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students in all programs have access to state-of-the-art teaching, production, and research labs in the areas of gaming and entertainment computing, digital forensics, machine learning and AI, cybersecurity, and data science. 

The CS BS with an Entertainment Computing concentration consists of 120 credit hours with core courses such as Principles of Programming Languages; Design/Analysis of Algorithms; and Senior Project: Team Software Design. The concentration requires 21 credit hours. Course examples include Introduction to Video Game Design and Programming; Animation: Introduction; Artificial Intelligence and Game Development; Advanced Computer Graphics; and Animation: 3D Modeling. CS students may choose a number of technical electives and others, which provides opportunities to develop skills in additional areas.   

Game Design and Development minor at University of Alabama in Huntsville is a  multidisciplinary program that exposes students to the full game production pipeline. Consisting of 30 credit hours of study, coursework falls under the following categories: Game Design, Game Animation, Game Computing, and Game Sound. Course examples include Computer Science; Video Game Scripting and Design; Hard Surface Modeling; 2D Animation; Usability Studies; and Music Technology. 

Students in the Game Design and Development minor are encouraged to compete Team Game Design I and II. This allows students to work in multidisciplinary teams on a collaborative project (video game) to be completed in one semester. During this time, students will have the opportunity to take on the roles of a professional game development team from Concept Artist to Game Designer to Art Director. 

 The Entertainment Computing minor at UAH explores storytelling, animation, modeling tech for games, and mobile entertainment. Students in this program will take courses such as Introduction to Video Game Design and Programming; Artificial Intelligence & Game Development; Introduction to Computer Graphics; Computer Science; and Introduction to Technologies for Multimedia Gaming. Students may enhance the minor through elective courses from the Dramatic Media Elements category. Examples include Animation: Organic Modeling; Graphic Design: Web User Experience; Elements of Theatre Production; Animation; Technical Arts; Music Technology; and Multimedia. 

Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as Game Design and Development, Serious Games, Game Animation, Software Design and Development, Virtual Reality, Animation and Film, Game Programming, Level Design, Modeling and Simulation, Project Management, and Systems Design. 

The University of Alabama in Huntsville became an autonomous university in 1969. Serving approximately 8,745 students, UAH provides 94 degrees in more than 100 areas of study and across eight colleges. University of Alabama in Huntsville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).