New Interactive Technologies Degree Option

Turn your love of playing video games into a lucrative career that is much in demand in today’s workforce with a new degree option this fall at Anne Arundel Community College.

The 61-credit-hour Interactive Technologies program is an option of AACC’s Communication Arts Technology Associate of Applied Science degree. While graduates can become game designers or game testers, the field is much broader than that.

The college investigated industry and government needs in developing the new option and discovered a rapidly growing interactive technologies field in the Baltimore-Washington region, especially in simulation design and interactive design, said Nabilah Pape, an assistant professor of communication arts technologies. Government agencies, as well as private contractors that work with the government, use simulation to show how products work or to demonstrate military operations.

The college created courses, such as “Introduction to 3-D Modeling and Simulation” (CAT 220) and “Advanced 3-D Modeling and Simulation” (CAT 221) that teach students about animation, simulation and game design as well as how to create storylines, build characters and scenery by using the 3-D Studio Max computer software.

Students also will learn fundamentals of computer programming, design object-oriented programs in Java, use basic graphic design techniques with the latest industry software and learn all phases of video production, including the integration of video with other modeling tools. A practicum giving students hands-on experience is part of the curriculum.

Fall registration is under way. For information about the new program, call 410-777-7043.