Game & Simulation Programming

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
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About this program

Whether you dream of launching the next epic video game or hope to make a difference with life-saving simulation programming, your path to a career in the field starts at Penn College. Specialized gaming and simulation design and programming coursework paves the way for a future in this thriving market that spans from commerce and entertainment to training and healthcare.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

4

Specialized Computer Labs

Develop Technical Plus Teamwork Skills

100%

Students Employed Within 3-6 Months After Graduation

Careers

  • Simulation developer
  • Computer game programmer 
  • Software application developer 
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Programming (CIT160)
  • Introduction to Gaming & Simulation (CSC132)
  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • Interactive 3D Modeling (CSC142)
  • Networking I (EET145)
  • Programming II (CIT260)
  • Introduction to Database (CIT180)
  • Game & Simulation Design Principles I (CIT224)
  • Data Structures & Algorithms (CIT360)
  • System Analysis I (CIT246)
  • Secure Database Development (CIT281)
  • Discrete Structures in Computer Applications (CIT243)
  • Game Programming (CIT216)
  • Introduction to UNIX/Linux (CIT240)
  • Game & Simulation Design Principles II (CIT324)
  • Fundamentals of Information Security (CIT230)
  • Game & Simulation Seminar (CIT444)
  • Principles of Management (MGT115)
  • Computer Simulation Applications (CIT412)
  • Programming for Mobile Devices (CIT382)
  • Web Systems & Technologies (CIT351)
  • C++ Game Development (CIT365)
  • Gaming & Simulation Capstone (CIT419)
  • Operating Systems Concepts I (CIT344)
  • Management of Organizational Behavior (MGT410)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • General Psychology (PSY111)
  • College Physics I (PHS115) or
  • General Physics I (PHS201)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)
  • Directed Gaming & Simulation Programming Elective (BSP)
  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Introduction to Gaming & Simulation (CSC132)
  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Math Elective (MTH180 or Higher) (MTD)
  • Interactive 3D Modeling (CSC142)
  • Math Elective (MTH182 or Higher) (MTC)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Linear Algebra (MTH255)
  • Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications (MTH161)
View Goals & Course List

What's the difference between Information Technology and Computer Science?

Computer science is more theoretical, with increased math requirements. Many tend to focus on programming or cutting-edge computing, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

IT is focused on supporting the user. It is more people-focused, making the tools of computing accessible to fit the needs of people and organizations, as well as creating computing tools and systems to meet the user's needs.

Virtual Tour

Information Technology

Get a glimpse inside the labs where future IT professionals learn how to install, configure, and maintain computing systems. Meet Dr. Sandra Gorka, Associate Professor of Computer Science. And check out everything from gaming and simulation spaces to the hands-on labs decided to cyber security, networking, database management, and Linux systems.

Game & Simulation Labs
Facilities

Game & Simulation Labs

Apply theory to the real thing in our specialized IT labs. Here, you’ll have access to both physical and virtual labs designed for networking, IT security, operating systems, and gaming. Apply the principles of ethical hacking, intrusion detection, and digital forensics in both physical and virtual environments. Labs also allow students to create 3D models, investigate hypervisors, build networks from bare metal to full production, and simulate a host of applications and network configurations.

Maker Profiles
Women In STEM
Featured Video

Women In STEM

What does it take to succeed in a STEM career? Curiosity. Critical thinking. A can-do spirit. And an educational experience that meets your passion head-on. Here, you’ll meet a community of innovators. Future pioneers who are learning by doing. Breathing new life into old concepts. Testing theories. And breaking barriers. Because the more you explore, the more you grow. And the bigger difference you can make.

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Nov 3

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, November 39 AM - 3 PM

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Mar 1

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM

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Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

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More tour dates are on the way.

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Related Programs

Follow your passion

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Game Development Club of Penn College

Game Development Club of Penn College

The Game Development Club is a platform to share lessons, news, updates, and discussions on the game development industry. The club encourages and assists students in the creation of individual and class-based game development and promotes professional development. 

Learn more
Gamers’ Guild

Gamers’ Guild

Gamers' Guild is devoted to the continued enjoyment of classic games ranging from pen and paper RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons to classic console games, such as Nintendo and other major game producers.  

Learn more
Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Penn College News
IT professor presents at national conference
10.21.2024

IT professor presents at national conference

A Pennsylvania College of Technology information technology professor addressed a recent national conference for IT educators. Sandra Gorka, professor of computer information technology, presented at SIGITE 2024, the Association for Computing Machinery’s 25th annual conference on information technology education.

Read Article
Teachers receive cyber education at Penn College
07.26.2024

Teachers receive cyber education at Penn College

Nineteen middle and high school educators from throughout the state received a free education in cybersecurity, courtesy of the recent GenCyber Camp conducted by Pennsylvania College of Technology. Supported by the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation, the goal of the GenCyber program is to build a strong cybersecurity workforce by igniting interest in the field at the secondary level. The teachers learned actionable cybersecurity concepts to share in their classrooms this fall.

Read Article
Penn College cybersecurity grad serves the nation
07.18.2024

Penn College cybersecurity grad serves the nation

James P. Thomas considers himself lucky. He found his passion, nurtured it and made it his profession. Today, the beneficiaries of his zest and expertise are countless. The Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus supports national security by mitigating cyber risks for the U.S. military. The 2020 graduate is an information systems security engineer for the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

Read Article
Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

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Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Gaming student mentors teen

Gaming student mentors teen

The gaming and simulation lab hosted WBRE-TV’s monthly segment that showcases children seeking a permanent family. James Temoshenko, shares his expertise with 13-year-old Mitchell. 

Read James' Story

More Information

Students must complete all required major courses in the Game and Simulation Programming major (those with the alpha-designators CIT, CSC, EET, and MTH) with a grade of “C” or higher.

Students seeking entrance through transfer into Game and Simulation Programming major should strive to take courses at their respective institutions that provide competency in the following areas: pre-calculus; programming (two semesters minimum - same language preferred); database; system analysis; and networking. Students transferring from institutions that have articulation agreements with Penn College should seek advisement from their respective institutions.

View general transfer information

A laptop/notebook computer is required for enrollment in all Information Technology majors including the Game and Simulation Programming major. Laptop specifications

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store and Penn State Computer Store .

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. James R Ankers, CISSP, CISA, IT Specialist (INFOSEC), United States Navy
  • Mr. Daniel J Clarke, '07, Senior Solutions Architect, Arraya Solutions
  • Dr. Todd W Griffith, Chief Technology Officer, Discovery Machine Corporation
  • Mr. Brandon J Howe, '01, Sr. IT Analyst, Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
  • Dr. Karl M Kapp, Assistant Director, Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University
  • Dr. Krish Pillai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lycoming College
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health
Contact

Admissions Office

  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

With open and rolling admission, applying is easy.

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