Information and Policies
Introduction
The Art and Design: Games and Playable Media (AGPM) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at UC Santa Cruz focuses on the creation of novel game systems, spaces, and configurations that can produce broad ranges of player experiences, for a wide variety of purposes. It does this through:
- courses in related theory, history, and critical interpretation;
- courses that take a practice-based approach to experimental game creation;
- courses that provide a foundation in working with game media forms;
- courses that provide a foundation in working with game technical materials.
This degree complements the Computer Science: Computer Game Design (CGD) Bachelor of Science (B.S.), which focuses particularly on the technical materials. The B.A. focuses more on experience design (in particular) as well as on history, theory, and media creation—while still taking advantage of courses developed for the B.S. and creating a shared community with those students.
Students in the AGPM major learn to understand game design as an art in and of itself, positioned within the context of a number of more disciplinary approaches. Furthermore, students understand game design as a practice of creation, within a much larger and deeper social and historical context.
The AGPM B.A. in the Arts Division ensures that students have the needed programming skills, and equally importantly, that they meld such technical skills with critical and historical understanding, which is essential for the production of socially conscious, inclusive, and emotionally engaging games.
Upper-division studio courses require coursework to be completed on computers. All students in the B.A. program are strongly encouraged to own a laptop computer. This expense is separate from the cost of tuition and other fees.
While pursuing coursework in the major, all students are to encouraged to build portfolios that showcase their growing body of work, with an emphasis on material from courses such as ARTG 80I, CMPM 80K, and ARTG 120, and CMPM 120.
Academic Advising for the Program
Please refer to the AGPM advising page for the most up-to-date information on drop-in hours and appointments.
You can reach the AGPM office via phone by calling (831) 459-1554.
If you are a prospective junior transfer hoping to join AGPM, please be sure to carefully read the section below on Transfer Information and Policy.
Getting Started in the Major
Students interested in entering the Art & Design: Games & Playable Media (AGPM) program as frosh can do so as long as they are admitted into UC Santa Cruz.
Incoming frosh do not need to satisfy any programming or art requirements prior to arriving at UCSC.
While frosh may not need to satisfy specific requirements, they are urged to make games—using any materials, from Javascript to cardboard—and carefully study game systems. Developing an arts practice in any medium is also helpful, including drawing, writing, music, sculpture, filmmaking, and others. Finally, deepening your understanding of technology is good preparation, including computer programming, participating in maker groups, or whatever else grabs your interest.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who earn a B.A. in Art and Design: Games and Playable Media gain the skills, knowledge, and understanding that enable them to:
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)
PLO 1: Demonstrate understanding of the connections between technical commitments and game system design, on one hand, and player experience and cultural communication goals, on the other.
PLO 2: Demonstrate the ability to define, develop, and communicate artistically innovative game ideas—situated historically and employing the methods of multiple art practices.
PLO 3: Demonstrate the ability to design and build a technical system in response to an artistic goal for audience experience that employs a fundamental understanding of algorithms and data structures.
PLO 4: Demonstrate an understanding of game history and interpretation sufficient to do independent research on a topic, identify relevant games and secondary literature, think critically about a particular games-related topic, and make a convincing, research-based argument about games.
PLO 5: Demonstrate the ability to collaboratively plan, organize, and execute complex, team-oriented projects, using appropriate communication and coordination techniques.
PLO 6: Demonstrate the ability to effectively use techniques for understanding how players experience a game system, and to compare this with a project's artistic goals—then successfully iterate and revise project shape, scope, and function based on external feedback and personal/team constraints.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Prior to declaring the AGPM major, students must complete the following Major Qualification courses with a grade of C or better (these courses can also be taken as Pass/No Pass):
Note: CMPM 35 and CSE 101 have computer science and mathematics prerequisites that are not considered in the major declaration process. Grades in these courses are not considered for qualification.
Students receiving a C-, D+, D, D-, F or NP in one of the major qualification courses or associated labs may only declare once they have passed the same or equivalent course or lab with a grade of C or better.
Students need to complete these major qualification courses early in their studies so that the petition to major status is accomplished by the end of their sophomore year.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and college of the decision. Appeals should be emailed to the AGPM adviser.
How to Declare a Major
Students that have successfully passed all of the major qualification courses complete and sign the major declaration petition form and email it to the AGPM adviser.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
In preparation for transfer to AGPM, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in programming, visual art, and game design. Complete the following courses:
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in courses articulated to UCSC’s Computer Science and Engineering
| CSE30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
Students entering UCSC through fall 2021 also have the option to use a course articulated to CSE 15/CSE 15L (previously offered for this requirement as CMPS 12B/M, Introduction to Data Structures).
Minimum grade of C (2.0) in two courses articulated to courses in the following list:
| ART15 | Introduction to Drawing for the Major | 5 |
| ART20 | Any course in the ART 20 series | |
| ARTG80G | Visual Communication and Interaction Design | 5 |
| ARTG80H | Critical History of Digital Games | 5 |
| ARTG80I | Foundations of Play | 5 |
| CMPM25 | Introduction to 3D Modeling | 5 |
| CMPM26 | Introduction to 3D Animation | 5 |
| CMPM80K | Foundations of Video Game Design | 5 |
| FILM20P | Introduction to Production Technique | 5 |
| MUSC1C | University Concert Choir | 2 |
| MUSC2 | University Orchestra | 2 |
| MUSC3 | Large Jazz Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC5A | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Beginning | 2 |
| MUSC5B | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Intermediate | 2 |
| MUSC5C | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Advanced | 2 |
| MUSC6 | Classical Guitar Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC8A | Beginning Balinese Gamelan | 2 |
| MUSC8B | Advanced Balinese Gamelan | 2 |
| MUSC9 | Wind Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC10 | Eurasian Ensemble | 2 |
| THEA10 | Introduction to Theater Design and Technology | 5 |
| THEA14 | Drawing | 5 |
| THEA15 | Special Topics in Textiles | 5 |
| THEA17 | Costume Construction | 5 |
| THEA18 | Drafting for Theatrical Production | 5 |
| THEA19 | Design Studio: Lighting Studio A | 5 |
| THEA20 | Introductory Studies in Acting | 5 |
| THEA21 | Acting Studio I: Psychological Realism | 5 |
| THEA22 | Indonesian Dance and Drama | 5 |
| THEA30 | Introduction to Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
| THEA31C | Dance Studio I: Contemporary Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
| THEA33C | Dance Studio I | 5 |
| THEA36 | Introduction to Dance Composition | 5 |
| THEA37 | African Dance | 5 |
| THEA40 | Introduction to Directing | 5 |
| THEA50 | Fundamentals of Theater Production | 2 |
| THEA80Z | Indian Dance | 5 |
Additional Suggested Courses
Students are highly encouraged to complete all general education requirements before coming to UC Santa Cruz.
Transfer students who meet the requirements above and complete general education requirements will be able to complete the major in two years as shown in the academic plan in the Planners section of the Requirements and Planners tab on this page. Because of the number of credits required by the B.A., transfer students who have general education requirements remaining may need to take summer session courses and/or additional courses over the academic year to allow graduation in two years. If a student meets the requirements for major qualification but cannot complete general education requirements, taking community college courses that are articulated for credit with courses in the Foundational Courses and lower-division “Arts Requirements and Electives” courses listed in the Requirements and Planners tab is recommended.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students are strongly advised to attend a UCSC Summer Orientation session for transfer students. Transfer students should consult with an AGPM academic adviser prior to enrolling in classes to determine their status and to begin the declaration of major process as soon as possible.
Please see a recommended academic plan for junior transfer students in the Planners section of the Requirements and Planners tab on this page.
Letter Grade Policy
All courses used to satisfy any of the Art and Design: Games and Playable Media major requirements can be taken for a letter grade or as Pass/No Pass. This includes both introductory lower-division and advanced upper-division requirements, and with the major qualification courses. A grade of "Pass" is equivalent to meeting the requirement of "C or better" in the Major Qualification policy.
Course Substitution Policy
Students are able to petition a course to count as a substitute for any given elective requirement via the AGPM Course Substitution Petition form. Once submitted, requests are reviewed by the program chair. After they come to a decision, the AGPM adviser will reach out to the student and let them know whether their petition was approved or not.
Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy
Students may choose to do a double major or minor along with the AGPM program, but are advised that AGPM has a high number of course requirements. As a result students may be required to petition for a later graduation date in order to complete a double major or minor.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
The AGPM major requires a minimum of eight lower-division and 11 upper-division courses in residence and satisfaction of the senior comprehensive requirement.
Lower-Division Courses
Foundational Courses
Complete the following six courses:
Notes:
• CSE 101 has computer science and mathematics prerequisites.
• Students with prior programming experience, AP credit, or who test out of CSE 20 can start with CSE 30.
Film and Digital Media 80V
Complete the following course:
| FILM80V | Video Games as Visual Culture | 5 |
Lower Division Arts Elective
Complete one lower-division course from the following:
(Check with the Art Department and the General Catalog for restrictions or prerequisites on art courses.)
| ART10D | 2D Foundation | 5 |
| ART10E | 3D Foundation | 5 |
| ART10F | 4D Foundation | 5 |
| ARTG80G | Visual Communication and Interaction Design | 5 |
| MUSC1C | University Concert Choir | 2 |
| MUSC2 | University Orchestra | 2 |
| MUSC3 | Large Jazz Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC5A | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Beginning | 2 |
| MUSC5B | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Intermediate | 2 |
| MUSC5C | West Javanese Gamelan Ensemble: Advanced | 2 |
| MUSC6 | Classical Guitar Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC8A | Beginning Balinese Gamelan | 2 |
| MUSC8B | Advanced Balinese Gamelan | 2 |
| MUSC9 | Wind Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC10 | Eurasian Ensemble | 2 |
| MUSC80L | Artificial Intelligence and Music | 5 |
| THEA14 | Drawing | 5 |
| THEA15 | Special Topics in Textiles | 5 |
| THEA17 | Costume Construction | 5 |
| THEA18C | Drafting-Computer Aided | 5 |
| THEA19 | Design Studio: Lighting Studio A | 5 |
| THEA20 | Introductory Studies in Acting | 5 |
| THEA21 | Acting Studio I: Psychological Realism | 5 |
| THEA22 | Indonesian Dance and Drama | 5 |
| THEA30 | Introduction to Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
| THEA31C | Dance Studio I: Contemporary Dance Theory and Technique | 5 |
| THEA33C | Dance Studio I | 5 |
| THEA36 | Introduction to Dance Composition | 5 |
| THEA37 | African Dance | 5 |
| THEA40 | Introduction to Directing | 5 |
| THEA50 | Fundamentals of Theater Production | 2 |
| THEA80Z | Indian Dance | 5 |
History of Art and Visual Culture Requirement
Complete any one 5-credit History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC) course. This can be either a lower- or upper-division course.
Upper-Division Courses
Game Design Requirements
Complete all the following courses:
Electives
Media Creation Electives
Check with course home departments and catalog for availability, prerequisites, or enrollment restrictions. ART courses may have restrictions or prerequisites. FILM courses have prerequisites and/or require an application, and are generally restricted to Film and Digital Media majors. MUSC courses are restricted to students in the electronic music minor, who will fulfill all of their media creation electives through the courses required for that minor.
Complete four courses from the following courses (note: completion of CMPM 25 and CMPM 26 counts as one Media Creation elective):
| ART101 | Introduction to Computer Programming for the Arts | 5 |
| ART102 | Interactive Arts | 5 |
| ART103 | Interactive Art: Object, Interface, Robotics | 5 |
| ART104 | Digital Video | 5 |
| ART106A | 2D Animation | 5 |
| ART106E | 3D Modeling and Animation | 5 |
| ART108 | New Media and Social Practice Artmaking | 5 |
| ARTG118 | Digital Drawing/Painting for Game Design | 5 |
| ARTG129 | Special Topicsin Game Design | 5 |
| CMPM25 | Introduction to 3D Modeling | 5 |
| CMPM26 | Introduction to 3D Animation | 5 |
| CMPM150 | Creating Digital Audio | 5 |
| DANM140
/ART 105
| Introduction to 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, and More | 5 |
| FILM170A | Fundamentals of Digital Media Production | 5 |
| FILM171D | Social Information Spaces | 5 |
| FILM173 | Narrative Digital Media Workshop | 5 |
| FILM177 | Digital Media Workshop: Computer as Medium | 5 |
| FILM179A | Special Topics in Animation | 5 |
| FILM179B | Documentary Animation Workshop | 5 |
| FILM189 | Advanced Topics in Digital and Electronic Media Studies | 5 |
| MUSC123 | Electronic Sound Synthesis | 5 |
| MUSC124 | Intermediate Electronic Sound Synthesis | 5 |
| MUSC125 | Advanced Electronic Sound Synthesis | 5 |
| MUSC167 | Workshop in Electronic Music | 2 |
| THEA104 | Multimedia Authoring | 5 |
| THEA106
/ART 146T
| Digital Illustration | 5 |
| THEA114 | Sound Design and Engineering for the Theater | 5 |
| THEA117
/ART 147T
| Design Studio: Costume | 5 |
| THEA124 | Movement for Performers | 5 |
| THEA157 | Playwriting | 5 |
| THEA159 | Advanced Playwriting | 5 |
| DANM220 | Introduction to Programming for the Arts | 5 |
Game Design/Human-Computer Interaction Electives
CMPM and CSE courses may have restrictions or prerequisites.
Complete two of the following:
| DANM219 | Introduction to Electronics for Artmaking | 5 |
| CMPM131 | User Experience for Interactive Media | 5 |
| CMPM146 | Game AI | 5 |
| CMPM147 | Generative Design | 5 |
| CMPM148 | Interactive Storytelling | 5 |
| CMPM151 | Algorithmic Music for Games | 5 |
| CMPM163 | Game Graphics and Real-Time Rendering | 5 |
| CMPM176 | Game Systems | 5 |
| CMPM177 | Creative Strategies for Designing Interactive Media | 5 |
| CMPM178 | Human-Centered Design Research | 5 |
| CMPM179
/ARTG 179
| Game Design Practicum | 5 |
| CSE118 | Mobile Applications | 5 |
| CSE183 | Web Applications | 5 |
CMPM 179 also offered as ARTG 179; may be repeated for credit
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in Art and Design: Games and Playable Media is satisfied by completing:
Comprehensive Requirement
Students satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement by receiving a passing grade in all three courses of the game design studio sequence (ARTG 170, ARTG 171, and ARTG 172). This sequence will meet in collaboration with CMPM 170, CMPM 171, and CMPM 172.
Planners
The following is a recommended academic plan for students to complete during their first two years as preparation for the AGPM major.
Art and Design: Games and Playable Media B.A. Planner
^ The prerequisite for CSE 30 can be satisfied in any of the following ways: successfully passing MATH 3, MATH 11A, MATH 19A, AM 3, AM 11A/ECON 11A, or a score of 400 or higher on the mathematics placement examination.
* ARTG and CMPM 120 are also offered during the summer.
** We highly recommend that students enroll in ARTG 80G for their LD Arts Elective course.
In addition to the specific courses shown in the four-year planner, a student must complete courses satisfying the CC, ER, SR, SI, and TA general education requirements.
Transfer Students Planner
The two-year planner assumes that a student has completed all general education requirements before coming to UCSC.