B.S. in Simulation Science, Games, and Animation
Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, Embry-Riddle’s undergraduate Simulation Science, Games and Animation degree provides students with a solid foundation in computer game technology, going beyond basic programming or software concepts. Drawing on Embry-Riddle’s expertise in aviation, engineering, and intelligence, students gain the knowledge needed to bring their ideas to life in virtual environments.
Graduates of this program are well prepared for careers in game design, entertainment, software development, and fields such as military and intelligence, high-tech manufacturing, and aviation. The degree combines STEM coursework with art and design components, delivering a comprehensive education in the field.
Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus offers small class sizes, faculty mentorship, and strong integration across disciplines such as engineering, aviation, and cybersecurity. This environment allows Simulation Science, Games and Animation students to work on technically advanced, real-world projects beyond traditional entertainment applications. Surrounded by Arizona’s natural landscape and a supportive campus community, students benefit from a focused academic setting that encourages creativity, innovation, and leadership development.
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Construct interactive programs using software development principles and methods.
- Effectively exchange constructive criticism.
- Create appealing user experience employing principles and methods of engaging storytelling, worldbuilding, and interface design.
- Incorporate aesthetic concepts in content creation.
- Collaborate to maturely exchange and interact with different ideas through conflict, analysis and consensus.
- Apply software design principles to produce functional and informative user experiences.
- Use prototyping to test and refine new ideas for larger scale-development.
- Synthesize technical and creative domains to solve design problems.
Prescott Program Requirements
| General Education Requirements | 38 | |
| Core Requirements | 85 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 126 | |
Program Details
The Bachelor of Science in Simulation Science, Games, and Animation program requires successful completion of a minimum of 126 credit hours. The program may be completed in eight semesters, or four years, assuming appropriate background and full-time enrollment. Students pursuing this undergraduate degree must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.00 for all work completed at the University. The curriculum integrates coursework in simulation, game development, animation, computer programming, mathematics, software design, and media arts. The courses necessary to earn this degree are listed below.
Students should be aware that many courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Students entering the program should be prepared to begin Calculus I and should have demonstrated proficiency in algebra and trigonometry. Students are responsible for ensuring that all prerequisite and degree requirements are met prior to enrollment in advanced coursework.
General Education Requirements
| Communication | 9 | |
| English Composition | ||
| Humanities - Lower Level | 3 | |
| Social Sciences - Lower Level | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Sciences - Lower or Upper Level | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper-Level | 3 | |
| Psychology of Gaming | ||
| Computer Science/Information Technology | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Computer Programming | ||
| Mathematics | 7 | |
| Introduction to Discrete Structures | ||
| Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | ||
| Physical/Life Sciences | 7 | |
Physical/Life Sciences with Lab | ||
| Introductory Physics I | ||
or PHYS 226 | Physics I | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
Core Requirements
| CPSC 125 | Computer Science I | 3 |
| CPSC 125L | Computer Science I Laboratory | 1 |
| CPSC 225 | Computer Science II | 3 |
| CPSC 315 | Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| DSCI 412 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| MATH 314 | Applied Linear Algebra and Statistics | 3 |
| SIMS 115 | Digital Illustration | 3 |
| SIMS 150 | Games Systems I Introduction | 3 |
| SIMS 201 | World Building I Modeling | 3 |
| SIMS 202 | World Building II Materials | 3 |
| SIMS 203 | World Building III Mechanics | 3 |
| SIMS 205 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| SIMS 215 | Interactive Media I | 3 |
| SIMS 251 | Game Systems II Multi-player | 3 |
| SIMS 304 | World Building IV Motion | 3 |
| SIMS 315 | Interactive Media II | 3 |
| CPSC 350 | Computer Modeling and Simulation / Systems Modeling | 3 |
| SIMS 331 | Simulation II Procedural Modeling | 3 |
| SIMS 335 | Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIMS 351 | Game Systems III Production | 3 |
| SIMS 401 | Character Design and Production | 3 |
| SIMS 403 | Set and Environment Design | 3 |
| SIMS 415 | User Interface Design | 3 |
| SIMS 421 | Modeling and Simulation II | 3 |
| SIMS 450 | Game Systems IV: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| CPSC 455 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| SIMS 490 | Capstone I and Laboratory | 4 |
| SIMS 491 | Capstone II and Laboratory | 4 |
| UNIV 101 | College Success | 1 |
| Total Credits | 85 | |
Technical Elective
| Upper-level course in SIMS, CPSC, DSCI, SFTW, MATH, or CISE | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
Year One
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM 122 - English Composition | 3 |
| CPSC 118 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| SIMS 115 - Digital Illustration | 3 |
| SIMS 201 - World Building I Modeling | 3 |
| Humanities - Lower Level | 3 |
| UNIV 101 - College Success | 1 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPSC 125 - Computer Science I | 3 |
| CPSC 125L - Computer Science I Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 241 - Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| SIMS 150 - Games Systems I Introduction | 3 |
| SIMS 201 - World Building I Modeling | 3 |
| SIMS 215 - Interactive Media I | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 33
Year Two
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPSC 222 - Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CPSC 225 - Computer Science II | 3 |
| PHYS 113 - Introductory Physics I or PHYS 226 - Physics I | 3 |
| SIMS 203 - World Building III Mechanics | 3 |
| SIMS 251 - Game Systems II Multi-player | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| MATH 314 - Applied Linear Algebra and Statistics | 3 |
| PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SIMS 205 - Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| SIMS 304 - World Building IV Motion | 3 |
| SIMS 315 - Interactive Media II | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 30
Year Three
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPSC 315 - Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CPSC 350 - Computer Modeling and Simulation / Systems Modeling | 3 |
| SIMS 335 - Game Engine Architecture | 3 |
| SIMS 351 - Game Systems III Production | 3 |
| SIMS 401 - Character Design and Production | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPSC 455 - Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| PSYC 321 - Psychology of Gaming | 3 |
| SIMS 331 - Simulation II Procedural Modeling | 3 |
| SIMS 415 - User Interface Design | 3 |
| SIMS 450 - Game Systems IV: Mixed Reality | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 30
Year Four
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Communication | 3 |
| DSCI 412 - Data Visualization | 3 |
| SIMS 415 - User Interface Design | 3 |
| SIMS 490 - Capstone I and Laboratory | 4 |
| Technical Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Communication | 3 |
| Humanities/Social Sciences - Upper Level | 3 |
| Physical/Life Sciences with Lab | 4 |
| SIMS 421 - Modeling and Simulation II | 3 |
| SIMS 491 - Capstone II and Laboratory | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
Total Credits
Total Hours for All Requirements: 33