Student Information

2023-2024 GIMM Degree Requirements

GIMM Course Sequence (2024-2025 catalog)

Please note: This listing does NOT include all courses required to complete the degree. GIMM courses are sequenced and only offered once per year.

Please refer to your Academic Advisement Report or the undergraduate catalog online for a full listing of GIMM degree requirements for your catalog year.

This information does NOT apply to students in the 2018-2019 or 2019-2020 academic catalogs. 

Year One

Fall

• GIMM 100 Digital Tools for Interactivity
• GIMM 110 Interactive Programming

Spring

• GIMM 200 Visual Storytelling (Prereq: GIMM 100 and GIMM 110)
• GIMM 250 Interactive Storytelling (Prereq: GIMM 100 and GIMM 110)

Year Two

Fall

• GIMM 260 Mobile Web Services I (Prereq: GIMM 200 and GIMM 250, or PERM/CHAIR)
• GIMM 270 Interactive Audio & Video (Prereq: GIMM 250)
• GIMM 280 Interactive Physical Computing (Prereq: GIMM 250)

Spring

• GIMM 285 Mobile Web Services II (Prereq: GIMM 270 and GIMM 280, or PERM/CHAIR)
• GIMM 290 Game Design Theory (Prereq: ENGL 102, GIMM 100, and GIMM 110, or PERM/CHAIR)
• GIMM 300 Mobile Web Development (Prereq: GIMM 280)

Year Three

Fall

• GIMM 330 3D Animation + Modeling (Prereq: GIMM 200 and GIMM 250)
• GIMM 340 Mobile Web Development + Internet of Things (Prereq: GIMM 290 and GIMM 300, or PERM/CHAIR)
• GIMM 350 Game Development (Prereq: GIMM 250 and GIMM 290)

Spring

• GIMM 360 Game & Virtual Reality Audio (Prereq: GIMM 270)
• GIMM 370 Advanced 3D Animation (Prereq: GIMM 200 and GIMM 250)
• GIMM 375 Advanced Game Development (Prereq: GIMM 330 and GIMM 350, or PERM/CHAIR)

Year Four

Fall

• GIMM 400 Advanced Topics: Multiplayer Game Dev. (Prereq: GIMM 350)
• GIMM 480 Senior Capstone One (Prereq: PERM/CHAIR)

Spring

• GIMM 310 Mobile Application Development for Media (Prereq: GIMM 280)
• GIMM 440 Digital Portfolio (Prereq: GIMM 350 and GIMM 370)
• GIMM 490 Senior Capstone Two (Prereq: GIMM 480)

Lower Division Course Descriptions

GIMM 100 Digital Tools for Interactivity (3-0-3)(F). An introduction to the creative process across artistic media and genres. A variety of expressive mediums are introduced to students to provide them with theoretical backgrounds in the production and choice of media. At the end of the course students are familiar with common industry practices like storyboarding and team coordination for interactive projects. They are also introduced to common visual editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. COREQ: GIMM110.

GIMM 110 Interactive Programming (3-0-3)(F). An introduction to the object-oriented programming paradigm for client-side interface development. Students work with class objects, properties, abstraction, aggregation, inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism inside of an OOP language. Students are also introduced to selected OOP design patterns to help them understand how complex programming projects are planned and executed. COREQ: GIMM100.

GIMM 200 Visual Storytelling (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on the development of 2 and 3D models for game design. Students are introduced to advanced image creation techniques in both 2 and 3D environments. Students master environment and character creation techniques using industry standard tools. PREREQ: GIMM 100, GIMM 110 or PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 250 Interactive Storytelling (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on the affordances of media and their use in interactive environments. Students study narrative, 2D animation, and OOP programming to better understand how to create immersive experiences in mobile applications, graphic displays, and games. At the end of the course students are familiar with 2D animation techniques, OOP programming principles, programming frameworks, interactive and streaming video, media theory and interactive storytelling. PREREQ: GIMM 100, GIMM 110 or PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 260 Mobile Web Services I (3-0-3)(F). Focuses on the basics of web services and their delivery to mobile devices through the browser. Introduces basic database design and web services creation to manipulate data for dynamic mobile experiences. Students gain the ability to organize and manipulate basic data services and have an understanding of how web requests work with the parameters of the HTTPS protocol. PREREQ: GIMM 200, GIMM 250, or PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 270 Interactive Audio & Video (3-0-3)(F). Focuses on the creation of interactive sound and video artifacts. Students are introduced to basic sound and video editing techniques and industry standard software. Students also explore how to combine their video and sound editing skills with programming to create interactive media objects capable of containing metadata for infographics, hyperlinked video, and advanced green screen effects. PREREQ: GIMM250.

GIMM 280 Interactive Physical Computing (3-0-3)(F). Focuses on concepts of circuits, sensors, and wireless networks as they relate to custom mobile device creation. Students work with open source systems such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Zigbee to understand and create unique devices to t specific mobile computing needs. PREREQ: GIMM250.

GIMM 285 Mobile Web Services II (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on the theory and design of large data and web services for delivery to mobile devices. Students will learn how to consume and manipulate large data sets and then present that information through mobile web portals. Students will design and code a form to collect user data, and using advanced topics such as client-side form validation and error messages, produce a professional data driven experience for mobile formats. PREREQ: GIMM270, GIMM280, or PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 290 Game Design Theory (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on the creation, design, and theory of games for console, mobile, and web environments. Students study current and popular games to understand how culture and technology inuence the design of games and learning simulations. Students become familiar with industry practices in relation to project management for games and interactive simulations. Students are also introduced to techniques in photo editing, illustration, and video editing for the creation of visual experiences in interactive environments. PREREQ: ENGL102, GIMM100, GIMM110, or PERM/CHAIR.

Upper Division Course Descriptions

GIMM 300 Mobile Web Development (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on concepts of client-side programming for Web applications. Students are introduced to HTML5, XML, CSS, JavaScript and jQuery. Students also learn about Website creation and content management, focusing especially on mobile Website creation for multiple devices. PREREQ: GIMM280.

GIMM 310 Mobile Application Development for Media (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on the design and development of mobile applications for learning and branded user experiences. Students are introduced to a variety of cross platform development environments and industry practices in relation to mobile application development. Focuses on theories of mobile user experience and branding while also providing in-depth coverage of visual design practices in mobile environments object-oriented programming for devices, and streaming media delivery for mobile networks. By the end of the course, students are familiar with multiple development frameworks, how to connect and use third party web services, and how to market applications on the stores for optimal user experiences. PREREQ: GIMM280.

GIMM 330 3D Animation and Modeling (3-0-3)(F). Focuses on modeling and animation skills for game and simulation environments. Design principles such as scale and proportion, 3D composition, color, etc. as applied to 3D computer simulated environments, are explored and mastered using industry tools such as Blender or Maya. PREREQ: GIMM200, GIMM250.

GIMM 340 Mobile Web Development and Internet of Things (3-0-3)(F). Focuses on introducing the theory and practice of emerging technologies in the Internet of Things. Students will create data driven experiences that use Web services and local networks to connect a variety of devices such as sensors, embedded systems, and circuits through mobile devices. PREREQ: GIMM290, GIMM300, or PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 350 Game Development (3-0-3)(F). Focuses on the development of 2 and 3D games and learning simulations for Web and mobile environments. Students are introduced to multiple development frameworks and industry level coding practices in the creation of a professional level game. Students are introduced to advanced physics engines, artificial intelligence engines, and best practices for working in game development teams. PREREQ: GIMM250. COREQ: GIMM290.

GIMM 360 Game and Virtual Reality Audio (3-0-3) (S).Explore the techniques of creating interactive audio for video games and virtual reality projects. Students will learn to create foley and sound design, integrate audio with game engines, create virtual spatial audio environments, and program interactive sound generation. In addition, students will be introduced to the theoretical issues around game and virtual reality audio. At the completion of this course, students will have created complete sound assets that are integrated into a video game or virtual reality project using FMOD and Unity. PREREQ:GIMM270.

GIMM 370 Advanced 3D Animation (3-0-3)(S). Provides an opportunity to produce a short animated film in a 3D modeling environment. This course requires students to work in a team environment that closely resembles a real film studio. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to become familiar with the various stages of film-making, including story development and post-production workflow in 3D environments. PREREQ: GIMM200, GIMM250.

GIMM 375 Advanced Game Development (3-0-3)(S). Focuses on advanced areas in game development and software development including: Physics engines, UI (menu systems), Databases (permanent data), and AI. Students will learn some in demand and cutting edge industry skills in AI, game engine physics, data science, and using databases and permanent data storage in game development. They will have an opportunity to apply these techniques to their own prototype game. PREREQ: GIMM330, GIMM350, or PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 400 Multiplayer Game Development (3-0-3)(F).Focuses on the edge of mobile and game development to expose students to emerging trends and possibilities with technology. Topics may include: augmented reality, advanced location based services, and near field communications. Explores development with a variety of commercial peripheral devices such as Kinect cameras, Wii Balance Boards, smart watches and smart TVs. It also introduces students to the creation of custom made mobile devices with Arduino circuit boards, Zigbee wireless networks, and other types of sensors. Students learn how to work with multiple mobile peripherals as well as create their own devices to meet user needs. PREREQ: GIMM350.

GIMM 440 Digital Portfolio (3-0-3)(S). An advanced examination and application of professional digital portfolio components and processes. Students develop, refine, and present a professional portfolio based on their work to prepare them for the job market. PREREQ: GIMM350, GIMM370.

GIMM 480 Senior Capstone One (3-0-3)(F)(FF). The first of a two-course sequence comprising a capstone experience over the fall and spring semesters. Seniors work with clients on advanced interactive, mobile, and Web based projects to support research on campus and non-profit efforts in the community. Students use project management and team building skills over the course of the capstone experience to prepare them for industry. PREREQ: PERM/CHAIR.

GIMM 490 Senior Capstone Two (3-0-3)(S). The second of a two-course sequence comprising a capstone experience over the fall and spring semesters. PREREQ: GIMM 480.