University of Pennsylvania

The University's Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Graphics and Game Technology Department started funtioning in 2004, with an aim to expose recent graduates, as well as students returning from industry, to state-of-the-art graphics and animation technologies, as well as interactive media design principles, product development methodologies and engineering entrepreneurship. This degree program will prepare the students for positions requiring multi-disciplinary skills such as designers, technical animators and directors and game programmers.

The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS), since 1975, has been a leader in the fields of 3D computer graphics, human simulation and the behavioral animation of embodied intelligent agents. The lab has achieved international recognition for its research and is well known for the "Jack" software, a procedural character animation system used in both private sector and government applications. HMS alumni have been influential in computer graphics applications around the world, and include industry leaders such as Nick Foster of PDI/DreamWorks ("Shrek"), winner of an Academy Award for Technical Achievement. The HMS Center provides a collegial and open atmosphere in which faculty, staff, and students interact and collaborate. Ph.D. students are often teamed with students from the affiliated undergraduate Digital Media Design (DMD) program to conduct cutting-edge research and produce animated demonstrations highlighting their results. The success of recent graduates from both these programs, coupled with the industry need for well-rounded designers, programmers and technical directors, who understand both the art and science of producing visual media and interactive content, has led to the creation of the Master's program in Computer Graphics and Game Technology.

The students in the CGGT program use the equipment and resources available through the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation. Opportunities for specialization are provided in such core areas as -

• art and animation, c
• reative design,
• animation and simulation technology,
• human/computer interfaces and production management.

Students seeking admission to the program are assumed to have a Bachelors Degree in either Computer Science or Engineering, while students seeking admission with non-computer science and/or engineering undergraduate backgrounds will require a minimum of two years to complete the program.