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The College of Information Science's main campus Bachelor of Arts in Games and Behavior (BA GB) gives students a comprehensive understanding of game design and its social implications without the need for extensive knowledge in computer programming.
120
Units to Complete Degree, Includes:
42 Upper-Division, 36 Major Coursework, 18 Minor or Dual Degree
Program Goals & Learning Outcomes
The BA in Games and Behavior is a dynamic program with a set of program goals (or student competencies) and learning outcomes targeting a broad understanding of important design principles and human behavior in serious and recreational games, as well as implications tied to gamification in society.
- Students will be able to identify and address users' needs and rights while designing, advertising, playing, evaluating and monetizing games and related software.
- Students will be able to design a game that incorporates best practices of ethical gamification in all stages with a particular eye towards analyzing and addressing human behavior and the potential impact of gaming on individuals and in society.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to design a game for various purposes, such as education, health and wellbeing, training, and entertainment by incorporating best practices related to gamification in all stages, including challenges and fun factor, balancing, level design, scoring and progression, user interface, interaction mechanics, narration, functionality, usability and playability.
- Students will exhibit understanding of, and skills related to, varied approaches, tools, systems, platforms, devices and processes, and their effective utilization for game development, that are well established and currently used in the games industry.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of user needs and rights, such as identifying target user groups for games, PR tools and platforms, analytics and metric tools, play testing and evaluation, monetization, models, information, protection, game-related permissions on different ethical competence, professional ethics, quality steering, assurance, monitoring and social media utilization.
- Students will demonstrate facility using basic research methods, such as research design, statistics and analysis; organization, identification and location of data and information including open- and closed-access sources; and presentation of findings in oral, written and multimedia form, including proper use of and citation of sources.
- Students will acquire the skills, knowledge and self-understanding to communicate with and effectively work and interact across cultures and with diverse people and groups.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of career and further education options and opportunities relative to their plan of study, and will set goals and make plans beyond their expected graduation.
- Students will be able to recognize and analyze ethical and policy concerns raised by new technologies and will be able to apply ethical thinking to real-world cases and craft effective solutions.
- Students will be able to identify and apply professional ethics and standards relevant to their career and aspirations.
Sample Four-Year Plan
120 units are required for graduation. A minor with a minimum of 18 units, or a double major, is required.
In addition to the required foundation, general education and minor or double major courses, BA GB students must meet the following requirements to complete the degree: 24 units of Core Courses; 12 units of Games and Behavior Electives; 3-unit Engagement course (ESOC 480).
- View or download BA GB overview and sample four-year plan in PDF format.
- Transfer students, map your transfer coursework for the BA GB here.
Click to view sample courses by year:
Year 1 | Fall
| ENGL 101: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| MATH (based on placement) | 3 units |
| UNIV 101: Introduction to the General Education Experience | 1 unit |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| First-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 14 units |
Year 1 | Spring
| ENGL 102: First-Year Composition | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Second-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Fall
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| General Education: Exploring Perspectives | 3 units |
| Third-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 2 | Spring
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Fourth-Semester Language | 4 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Fall
| UNIV 301: General Education Portfolio | 1 unit |
| General Education: Building Connections | 3 units |
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 16 units |
Year 3 | Spring
| Major Core Course | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 units |
| Major Elective Course | 3 units |
| Major Elective Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Fall
| Major Elective Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Minor Course | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 units |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 15 units |
Year 4 | Spring
| ESOC 480: Digital Engagement | 3 units |
| Major Elective Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| Additional Elective Course | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 12 units |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS | 120 units |
This is a sample plan and is subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc. The official degree requirements may be found in the University General Catalog and all University of Arizona students should refer to the Academic Advising Report for specific graduation requirements.
Curriculum & Courses
Bachelor's in Games and Behavior students take a mix of Foundations, General Education, Core Major, Major Elective, Engagement, Minor and Other Elective courses, subject to change based on catalog year, placement tests, AP/CLEP credit, transfer work, minor requirements, summer school, etc.
Click a link below to learn more and view course information:
Foundations
Specific unit requirements may vary based on placement and/or prior college-level coursework:
- First-year English or equivalent
- MATH Foundation: MATH 107, 112 or higher
- Second language fourth-semester proficiency
General Education
- Introduction to General Education (1 unit)
- Exploring Perspectives Courses (12 units, including at least one course from each domain: Artist, Humanist, Natural Scientist, Social Scientist)
- Building Connections Courses (9 units)
- General Education Capstone (1 unit)
Learn More About U of A General Education Requirements
Students who started before Spring 2022 will follow the previous U of A GenEd requirements:
- Tier 1 Individuals & Societies (6 units)
- Tier 1 Traditions & Cultures (6 units)
- Tier 1 Natural Sciences (6 units)
- Tier 2 Humanities (3 units)
- Tier 2 Individuals & Society (3 units)
- Tier 2 Arts (3 units)
- Diversity (3 units)
Choose four courses from the following:
BSIS students are required to take 18 units from a minor or dual major.
Elective courses may be needed to reach the 120-unit graduation requirement, of which 42 units must be upper-division (300-level or above) coursework.