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Year Course ID Course
2025-2026 GAME 360

The Business of Video Games

An overview of business practices unique to the video game industry, including finance, marketing, management, intellectual property and business models. In short, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to run the business aspects of the Game Development Project courses. Students will also critically examine ethical and moral issues in the games industry.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 360

The Business of Video Games

An overview of business practices unique to the video game industry, including finance, marketing, management, intellectual property and business models. In short, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to run the business aspects of the Game Development Project courses. Students will also critically examine ethical and moral issues in the games industry.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 110. BUSI 111 also required for students in the Marketing & Management Stream.
Cross-listed: BUSI 360
GAME 380

Game Development Field Placement

Game Development students engage in practical work experience with game development companies. Students will primarily learn through doing work for a professional company, but they will also have readings and class discussions on preparation for professional careers. Students should take this course near the end of the program so that they have developed sufficient skills to be valuable contributors in a professional workplace.

Course Credits: 1, 2, 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum 3rd year standing in the Game Development program.
2025-2026 GAME 380

Game Development Field Placement

Game Development students engage in practical work experience with game development companies. Students will primarily learn through doing work for a professional company, but they will also have readings and class discussions on preparation for professional careers. Students should take this course near the end of the program so that they have developed sufficient skills to be valuable contributors in a professional workplace.

Course Credits: 1, 2, 3
2026-2027 GAME 380

Game Development Field Placement

Game Development students engage in practical work experience with game development companies. Students will primarily learn through doing work for a professional company, but they will also have readings and class discussions on preparation for professional careers. Students should take this course near the end of the program so that they have developed sufficient skills to be valuable contributors in a professional workplace.

Course Credits: 1, 2, 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum third-year standing in the Game Development program
2025-2026 GAME 381

Professional Preparation

Prepare for work in the games industry by learning about job searching, portfolio preparation, networking, and other relevant topics. This course is meant to complement GAME 380 “Game Development Field Placement”; it may be taken in addition to or in place of that course.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 381

Professional Preparation

Prepare for work in the games industry by learning about job searching, portfolio preparation, networking, and other relevant topics. This course is meant to complement GAME 380 “Game Development Field Placement”; it may be taken in addition to or in place of that course.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Minimum of third-year standing
2025-2026 GAME 382

Co-op placement in Game Development

A full semester in a full-time paid position in a Game Development-related role. Students will gain first-hand professional experience, building connections between their classroom learning and real-world practice, and preparing for their own careers.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 382

Co-op placement in Game Development

A full semester in a full-time paid position in a Game Development-related role. Students will gain first-hand professional experience, building connections between their classroom learning and real-world practice, and preparing for their own careers.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 110; acceptance into GAME Co-op Program
GAME 390

Game Development Project II

An intermediate project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release video games that are more advanced and polished than the projects from GAME 290. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the first course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' third year.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 290.
2025-2026 GAME 390

Game Development Project II

An intermediate project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release video games that are more advanced and polished than the projects from GAME 290. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the first course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' third year.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 390

Game Development Project II

An intermediate project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release video games that are more advanced and polished than the projects from GAME 290. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the first course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' third year.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 290
GAME 391

Game Development Project II

An intermediate project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release video games that are more advanced and polished than the projects from GAME 290. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the second course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' third year.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 390.
2025-2026 GAME 391

Game Development Project II

An intermediate project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release video games that are more advanced and polished than the projects from GAME 290. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the second course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' third year.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 391

Game Development Project II

An intermediate project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release video games that are more advanced and polished than the projects from GAME 290. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the second course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' third year.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 390
GAME 399

Special Topics in Game Development

Topics vary from year to year.

Course Credits:
2025-2026 GAME 399

Special Topics in Game Development

Topics vary from year to year.

Course Credits:
2026-2027 GAME 399

Special Topics in Game Development

Topics vary from year to year.

Course Credits:
GAME 470

User Experience Design

An in-depth examination of the principles of user experience design and how they apply to game development. Students will engage a wide range of theory in psychology, sociology, art and interdisciplinary design thinking that is relevant to structuring the game environments and interface game players encounter. Both technically and artistically-inclined designers will engage in challenging readings, exercises and projects so that they are ready to contribute significantly to the Game Development project courses.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): CMPT 385 or GAME 323 or ART 250 or GAME 240 or GAME 471, and at least 3rd year standing.
2025-2026 GAME 470

User Experience Design

An in-depth examination of the principles of user experience design and how they apply to game development. Students will engage a wide range of theory in psychology, sociology, art and interdisciplinary design thinking that is relevant to structuring the game environments and interface game players encounter. Both technically and artistically-inclined designers will engage in challenging readings, exercises and projects so that they are ready to contribute significantly to the Game Development project courses.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 470

User Experience Design

An in-depth examination of the principles of user experience design and how they apply to game development. Students will engage a wide range of theory in psychology, sociology, art and interdisciplinary design thinking that is relevant to structuring the game environments and interface game players encounter. Both technically and artistically-inclined designers will engage in challenging readings, exercises and projects so that they are ready to contribute significantly to the Game Development project courses.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): CMPT 385 or GAME 323 or ART 250 or GAME 240 or GAME 471, and at least third-year standing
GAME 471

Video Game Aesthetics

An advanced consideration of aesthetic theory relevant to video games. Students will investigate the unique expressive, creative and artistic aspects of video games, and will search for and critically the best works of this relatively young medium. Students will use case studies and advanced theories in Game Studies and other artistic disciplines in order to expand the students' capacity to make video games with artistic integrity.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): MCOM 312
2025-2026 GAME 471

Video Game Aesthetics

An advanced consideration of aesthetic theory relevant to video games. Students will investigate the unique expressive, creative and artistic aspects of video games, and will search for and critically the best works of this relatively young medium. Students will use case studies and advanced theories in Game Studies and other artistic disciplines in order to expand the students' capacity to make video games with artistic integrity.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 471

Video Game Aesthetics

An advanced consideration of aesthetic theory relevant to video games. Students will investigate the unique expressive, creative and artistic aspects of video games, and will search for and critically the best works of this relatively young medium. Students will use case studies and advanced theories in Game Studies and other artistic disciplines in order to expand the students' capacity to make video games with artistic integrity.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): MCOM 312
GAME 490

Game Development Project III

An advanced project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release ambitious video games. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the first course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' last year. The course is the capstone of the Game Development program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 391
2025-2026 GAME 490

Game Development Project III

An advanced project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release ambitious video games. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the first course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' last year. The course is the capstone of the Game Development program.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 490

Game Development Project III

An advanced project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release ambitious video games. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the first course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' last year. The course is the capstone of the Game Development program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 391
GAME 491

Game Development Project III

An advanced project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release ambitious video games. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the second course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' last year. The course is the capstone of the Game Development program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 490
2025-2026 GAME 491

Game Development Project III

An advanced project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release ambitious video games. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the second course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' last year. The course is the capstone of the Game Development program.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GAME 491

Game Development Project III

An advanced project-based course in which teams of students will work together to create and release ambitious video games. Each student will contribute on the basis of their specialized training to this point in the program. This is the second course of a two-part project course that will run for two semesters during the students' last year. The course is the capstone of the Game Development program.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): GAME 490
GENV 109

Introduction to Physical Geology

An introduction to the materials and processes of the physical earth: rocks and minerals, earth structure and composition, plate tectonics, volcanology, seismology, crustal deformation, weathering and erosion, slope movement, sedimentation, wind and water processes, glaciation, and geologic time. Earth materials and processes are studied in the laboratory and in the field. This course is an environmental studies core requirement.

Course Credits: 3
Cross-listed: GEOL 109
2025-2026 GENV 109

Introduction to Physical Geology

An introduction to the materials and processes of the physical earth: rocks and minerals, earth structure and composition, plate tectonics, volcanology, seismology, crustal deformation, weathering and erosion, slope movement, sedimentation, wind and water processes, glaciation, and geologic time. Earth materials and processes are studied in the laboratory and in the field. This course is an environmental studies core requirement.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GENV 109

Introduction to Physical Geology

An introduction to the materials and processes of the physical earth: rocks and minerals, earth structure and composition, plate tectonics, volcanology, seismology, crustal deformation, weathering and erosion, slope movement, sedimentation, wind and water processes, glaciation, and geologic time. Earth materials and processes are studied in the laboratory and in the field. This course is an environmental studies core requirement.

Course Credits: 3
Cross-listed: GEOL 109
GENV 111

Human Geography & Global Change

An introduction to human geography and the notion of globalization by exploring some of the major economic, political, social, cultural, environmental, and technological changes that have recently occurred at the global level and are shaping local places. The course is designed to provide students with better understanding of the variation, interaction, and interdependence of places, regions, people and their environments in a globalizing world; and to demonstrate how human geographers might consider and examine the concepts, forces, processes, issues, and ideas that are associated with global transformation.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 GENV 111

Human Geography & Global Change

An introduction to human geography and the notion of globalization by exploring some of the major economic, political, social, cultural, environmental, and technological changes that have recently occurred at the global level and are shaping local places. The course is designed to provide students with better understanding of the variation, interaction, and interdependence of places, regions, people and their environments in a globalizing world; and to demonstrate how human geographers might consider and examine the concepts, forces, processes, issues, and ideas that are associated with global transformation.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GENV 111

Human Geography & Global Change

An introduction to human geography and the notion of globalization by exploring some of the major economic, political, social, cultural, environmental, and technological changes that have recently occurred at the global level and are shaping local places. The course is designed to provide students with better understanding of the variation, interaction, and interdependence of places, regions, people and their environments in a globalizing world; and to demonstrate how human geographers might consider and examine the concepts, forces, processes, issues, and ideas that are associated with global transformation.

Course Credits: 3
GENV 121

Introduction to Earth Systems Science

Through an investigation of the fundamental concepts of earth systems science from a geographic perspective, students will develop confidence in using the scientific method. Emphasis in the course is placed on understanding the origins and development of Earth's surface features; the characteristics and circulations of Earth's atmosphere, including weather systems and global climates; and introducing the biophysical principles governing vegetation distribution patterns on Earth. Lab exercises will provide students hands-on opportunities to further develop their scientific literacy as it relates to earth systems science and beyond. This course is primarily intended for non- science majors.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): None. (3-2; 3-2)
2025-2026 GENV 121

Introduction to Earth Systems Science

Through an investigation of the fundamental concepts of earth systems science from a geographic perspective, students will develop confidence in using the scientific method. Emphasis in the course is placed on understanding the origins and development of Earth's surface features; the characteristics and circulations of Earth's atmosphere, including weather systems and global climates; and introducing the biophysical principles governing vegetation distribution patterns on Earth. Lab exercises will provide students hands-on opportunities to further develop their scientific literacy as it relates to earth systems science and beyond. This course is primarily intended for non-science majors.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GENV 121

Introduction to Earth Systems Science

Through an investigation of the fundamental concepts of earth systems science from a geographic perspective, students will develop confidence in using the scientific method. Emphasis in the course is placed on understanding the origins and development of Earth's surface features; the characteristics and circulations of Earth's atmosphere, including weather systems and global climates; and introducing the biophysical principles governing vegetation distribution patterns on Earth. Lab exercises will provide students hands-on opportunities to further develop their scientific literacy as it relates to earth systems science and beyond. This course is primarily intended for non-science majors.

Course Credits: 3
GENV 131

Global Environment Issues

An investigation of the scientific principles behind environmental issues and practical inquiry-based approaches to environment concerns in our local and global communities. The course integrates theoretical knowledge about the environment with real-life activities in a multitude of settings outside of the classroom to help students learn about complex interactions between human populations and their environments; and to inspire critical thinking about environmental challenges for today and future generations.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 GENV 131

Global Environment Issues

An investigation of the scientific principles behind environmental issues and practical inquiry-based approaches to environment concerns in our local and global communities. The course integrates theoretical knowledge about the environment with real-life activities in a multitude of settings outside of the classroom to help students learn about complex interactions between human populations and their environments; and to inspire critical thinking about environmental challenges for today and future generations.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GENV 131

Global Environment Issues

An investigation of the scientific principles behind environmental issues and practical inquiry-based approaches to environment concerns in our local and global communities. The course integrates theoretical knowledge about the environment with real-life activities in a multitude of settings outside of the classroom to help students learn about complex interactions between human populations and their environments; and to inspire critical thinking about environmental challenges for today and future generations.

Course Credits: 3
GENV 182

Digital Earth

Principles of spatial and digital literacy applied to the geographic context of our contemporary world. In this course, students will discover the importance of place, spatial data collection, assessment of spatial patterns and principles of scale. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of geospatial data, and explore geospatial technologies such as GPS, mobile maps, satellite data and GIS. Students will discover digital cartography principles and spatial analysis techniques. Students will learn about applications of citizen science, digital humanitarianism and responding to humanitarian needs and crises through geospatial technologies.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): None. (3-0; 0-0)
2025-2026 GENV 182

Digital Earth

Principles of spatial and digital literacy applied to the geographic context of our contemporary world. In this course, students will discover the importance of place, spatial data collection, assessment of spatial patterns and principles of scale. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of geospatial data, and explore geospatial technologies such as GPS, mobile maps, satellite data and GIS. Students will discover digital cartography principles and spatial analysis techniques. Students will learn about applications of citizen science, digital humanitarianism and responding to humanitarian needs and crises through geospatial technologies.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GENV 182

Digital Earth

Principles of spatial and digital literacy applied to the geographic context of our contemporary world. In this course, students will discover the importance of place, spatial data collection, assessment of spatial patterns and principles of scale. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of geospatial data, and explore geospatial technologies such as GPS, mobile maps, satellite data and GIS. Students will discover digital cartography principles and spatial analysis techniques. Students will learn about applications of citizen science, digital humanitarianism and responding to humanitarian needs and crises through geospatial technologies.

Course Credits: 3
GENV 212

Urbanization Issues of Developing Countries

This course explores urbanization processes in developing countries, particularly in urban settings across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It provides a geographic perspective on the socio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental conditions under which cities of the Third World are rapidly growing and their relation to globalization issues. Case studies from selected areas examine such problems as unemployment, inadequate health services, housing shortages, and inadequate urban infrastructure.

Course Credits: 3
2025-2026 GENV 212

Urbanization Issues of Developing Countries

This course explores urbanization processes in developing countries, particularly in urban settings across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It provides a geographic perspective on the socio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental conditions under which cities of the Third World are rapidly growing and their relation to globalization issues. Case studies from selected areas examine such problems as unemployment, inadequate health services, housing shortages, and inadequate urban infrastructure.

Course Credits: 3
2026-2027 GENV 212

Urbanization Issues of Developing Countries

This course explores urbanization processes in developing countries, particularly in urban settings across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It provides a geographic perspective on the socio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental conditions under which cities of the Third World are rapidly growing and their relation to globalization issues. Case studies from selected areas examine such problems as unemployment, inadequate health services, housing shortages, and inadequate urban infrastructure.

Course Credits: 3
GENV 216

Plant Environments

An inventory of plant life across major habitats - particularly in the local area of British Columbia - this course provides insights into the ecology of these environments. Local field trips highlight natural habitats, agricultural and horticultural crops, and managed forests. Critical assessment of planetary stewardship forms a common theme.

Course Credits: 3
Prerequisite(s): Instructor's consent.
NB: Summer sessions only. Includes field work in the Gulf Islands. Not offered every year. See department chair.
Cross-listed: BIOL 216
2025-2026 GENV 216

Plant Environments

An inventory of plant life across major habitats - particularly in the local area of British Columbia - this course provides insights into the ecology of these environments. Local field trips highlight natural habitats, agricultural and horticultural crops, and managed forests. Critical assessment of planetary stewardship forms a common theme.

Course Credits: 3
NB: Summer sessions only. Includes field work in the Gulf Islands. Not offered every year. See department chair.