Interactive Games and Media First Year Students

Welcome new students to the School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM) within the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (GCCIS). The faculty and staff in IGM are looking forward to working with you during your college career. You are joining an exciting and demanding college that provides the education that will help you meet the expectations and opportunities you will encounter in your career and throughout your life. We hope that your academic career at RIT will prove to be fruitful and challenging.

Additional information about getting prepared for your first semester at RIT is below. You can also call our main office at 585-475-2763 if you have additional questions.

We look forward to meeting you in the fall!

With Best Wishes,

David I. Schwartz, PhD
Director and Associate Professor
School of Interactive Games and Media

Advising Team

Linda Searing - lmsics@rit.edu

Mackenzie DeRider - mrdiao@rit.edu

Jill Flanagan - jafics@rit.edu

 

Elisabeth Foster - emfics@rit.edu

Test and Transfer Credit

As soon as is practical, request your official transcripts for transfer credit and official scores for Advanced Placement (AP) credit, International Baccalaureate (IB), and have them sent via mail to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as soon as possible. For more information, please visit www.rit.edu/admissions/transfer.

 

Fall Schedule

The IGM team will build your schedule and enroll you in fall semester classes later this summer.  Our academic advisors will be available to make any necessary adjustments to your schedule during Orientation.

A typical first semester schedule for Game Design & Development students will include (17 credits): 

  • IGME 105: Game Development and Algorthmic Problem Solving I (4 credits)
  • IGME 110: Introduction to Interactive Media (3 credits)
  • MATH 131: Discrete Mathematics (assuming a score of at least 35 on the Math Placement Exam) (4 credits)
  • First Year Writing or an Arts and Sciences Perspective course (3 credits)
  • An Arts and Sciences Perspective course (3 credits)
  • RIT365: RIT Connections (0 credits)

A typical first semester schedule for New Media Interactive Development students will include (17 credits): 

  • IGME 101: New Media Interactive Design and Algorithmic Problem Solving I (4 credits)
  • IGME 110: Introduction to Interactive Media (3 credits)
  • MATH 131: Discrete Mathematics (assuming a score of at least 35 on the Math Placement Exam) (4 credits)
  • NMDE 111: NMD Digital Survey 1 (3 credits) 
  • First Year Writing or an Arts and Sciences Perspective course (3 credits)
  • RIT365: RIT Connections (0 credits)

All fall courses are selected based on the following factors: 

  • Student score on the Programming Placement Survey (Game Design & Development students ONLY)
  • Your score on the Math Placement Exam (MPE)
  • Any incoming transfer credit, Advanced Placement scores, or International Baccalaureate scores
  • Availability of courses

 

Math Placement Exam

To ensure proper course placement, you are required to take the ALEKS Math Placement Exam (MPE). It is imperative that you take the exam as soon as you are notified. . To access the exam or for more information, please visit www.rit.edu/science/mpe/.

Academic Day

Fall semester classes begin on Monday, August 28.

Academic Day is Wednesday, August 23. This is where you will meet fellow first year students as well as faculty and staff at Academic Day. On this day during Orientation we will also review curriculum requirements and answer scheduling questions. Faculty and academic advisors will be available throughout your time at RIT to assist you with career planning and any other advising issues. You can find more information at www.rit.edu/orientation.

Code Zero

All students will be notified about the Code.Zero experience in early July. Code.Zero gives you the opportunity to prepare yourself for your introductory programming class via an optional, free, on-line class. This course is intended for students with no prior programming experience.  We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Four Year Track Checklist

Here are some things that we encourage you to do throughout your time here at RIT!

IGM Student Four Year Checklist

Parents and Family - get connected!

IGM recognizes that family and friends are a big part of a student's success here at RIT. With that in mind, we'd like to point out some items that could be great resources in supporting your student during their time learning with us:

Academic Advisors- Each student at RIT has a direct line for answers to questions about academic resources, course planning, or other challenges through their Academic Advisor.

The Academic Advisors are always willing to be of assistance but please note the guidelines surrounding what can be shared during your conversation. More information on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) can be found at www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/parentsandfamilies/ferpa-and-parent-access