Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Toronto: Long day at work? Go ahead and watch some TV, research suggests
TORONTO, Ontario, Jan. 20 -- The University of Toronto posted the following news:
* * *
Long day at work? Go ahead and watch some TV, research suggests
By Kristy Strauss
Hard day at work? It's perfectly fine to park yourself in front of the TV. It might even make recovery - an essential part of burnout prevention - easier.
Workplace stress can take a major toll on a person's health and research has shown that recovery is key to preventing burnout, depression and other negative health effects. But what happens when employees go home to chaotic environments - households where children are fighting,
... Show Full Article
TORONTO, Ontario, Jan. 20 -- The University of Toronto posted the following news:
* * *
Long day at work? Go ahead and watch some TV, research suggests
By Kristy Strauss
Hard day at work? It's perfectly fine to park yourself in front of the TV. It might even make recovery - an essential part of burnout prevention - easier.
Workplace stress can take a major toll on a person's health and research has shown that recovery is key to preventing burnout, depression and other negative health effects. But what happens when employees go home to chaotic environments - households where children are fighting,chores need doing and meals need cooking - making it nearly impossible to recover from the day?
"Household size is really about how many demands a person experiences when they go home. We tend to think that home might be a place of rest, but when you have more people - at least when you look at it in terms of number of children - it could create more demands for someone and so it's not necessarily a place for recovery," says Soo Min Toh, a professor of organizational behaviour at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
In her latest research, published in the Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, she found that adult screen time might be the (not so secret) remedy.
Across a series of studies, Toh and her co-author, Xian Zhao of Ohio University, found that watching television, scrolling on smartphones and playing video games after work may "buffer" the effects of stress in chaotic households, helping people feel more relaxed at home and, in turn, aid in their recovery from the day's stressors.
Toh and Zhao first used data from the American Time Use Survey, which is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and widely used by psychologists, economists and other social scientists. They examined how much time more than 61,000 American married adults spent watching TV, how many kids they had and the extent to which they felt tired and stressed.
Predictably, they found that households with kids reported feeling more fatigued and stressed. Yet, in a twist, even among those with kids at home, people who spent more time watching TV said they experienced less stress and tiredness.
The researchers also surveyed more than 100 Canadian post-secondary students about their levels of home chaos (rating statements such as "I can't hear myself think at home"). Students then filled out nightly surveys on smartphone use and daily moods. Those who reported higher levels of home chaos also reported more negative moods - but when they spent more time on their phones, those negative moods were less intense.
A final study looked at nightly video game use and participants' ability to focus on work the following day.
More than 100 Canadian post-secondary students were recruited and initially asked how many housemates they lived with. Over the following week, the students reported their time spent playing video games and their levels of reattachment to work the next morning. While people with more housemates had a harder time getting back into a work mindset the next day, those who played video games reported less difficulty reconnecting to work.
"There is a buffering effect of screen time to household demands, strain and chaos, number of people and responsibilities," says Toh. "When people use digital devices, it can provide a space or a break, or even a relief or detachment, from both the demands at home and at work."
Toh notes that the study didn't take digital device addiction into account, which could potentially have negative effects on recovery.
"We're not suggesting you should spend more time on your phone," Toh says. "There's that caution that if you do spend too much time on these devices, you might have more fatigue and you won't experience those recovery benefits."
Despite the risks of overuse, Toh believes the findings offer an important reminder: people shouldn't be so hard on themselves when it comes to their digital device use.
"Screen time can actually be helpful to recovery," she says. "It allows you to take a breather and be in this space where you get a break from all your responsibilities and that can be quite restorative for recovering our resources.
"We are really hard on ourselves and what we do in our free time. I think the message of this paper is, don't stress about it."
This article originally appeared on the Rotman Insights Hub (https://www-2.rotman.utoronto.ca/insightshub/healthcare-life-sciences/screen-time-burnout-recovery)
***
Original text here: https://www.utoronto.ca/news/long-day-work-go-ahead-and-watch-some-tv-research-suggests
University of Groningen: Alcohol, texting, and e-bikes
GRONINGEN, The Netherlands, Jan. 20 -- The University of Groningen posted the following news:
* * *
Alcohol, texting, and e-bikes
*
For decades, traffic psychologist Dick de Waard has been studying how people act in traffic. He studies everything thoroughly: from texting cyclists and drunk students to speed differences and e-bikes. Moreover, his advanced bicycle simulator allows him to safely replicate even the most high-risk situations.
On his twelve-kilometre bike ride to the University, Dick de Waard powers through, regardless of the weather. No e-bike, no racing bike. Just a reliable
... Show Full Article
GRONINGEN, The Netherlands, Jan. 20 -- The University of Groningen posted the following news:
* * *
Alcohol, texting, and e-bikes
*
For decades, traffic psychologist Dick de Waard has been studying how people act in traffic. He studies everything thoroughly: from texting cyclists and drunk students to speed differences and e-bikes. Moreover, his advanced bicycle simulator allows him to safely replicate even the most high-risk situations.
On his twelve-kilometre bike ride to the University, Dick de Waard powers through, regardless of the weather. No e-bike, no racing bike. Just a reliabletwo-wheeler. 'A lightweight model, though,' he says. 'On the Werkman Bridge, nicknamed the Museum Bridge, I zigzag between the crowds.' Laughing, he adds: 'My wife thinks I cycle recklessly.'
The early years
For over 35 years, De Waard has been studying how people behave in traffic, whether on foot, by bike, or by car. His career started in the late 1980s, when, as a student of experimental psychology, he ended up at the former Traffic Research Centre, where he investigated the effect of medication on driving behaviour. 'We had a car with a camera on the roof, and a driving instructor sat next to the test subject. Some sleep medications still had an effect the next day: people would swerve without realizing it.' During those years, De Waard discovered what made traffic psychology so appealing to him: its practical nature. 'Hit the road and start measuring,' he says. 'It's actually useful research.'
Mobile phone booth
Another early study looked at the effects of the car phone -back then it was mostly a handset without a screen. 'We called it a mobile phone booth. On quiet motorways, it turned out that calling had hardly any negative effects, unlike on busier roads.' That changed with the arrival of the smartphone. 'We did research on cyclists who were texting, when it was still allowed,' he shares. 'They swerved more and, due to their divided attention, were less alert. When I see someone cycling with a phone in their hand, I instantly recognize it from their wobbling path and road position -sometimes right in the middle of the lane or on the bike path.'
Ethical awareness
Over time, De Waard has witnessed a change in how research is carried out. 'In the 1980s, it was relatively easy to do research in traffic,' he explains. 'Nowadays, ethical awareness has grown, and for good reason.' Thanks to a grant from the province of Fryslan, the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences now has access to an advanced bicycle simulator. 'It's not just a spin bike, but a bike that can actually tilt and lean. In essence, a highly realistic lab.'
Simulator
With the simulator, De Waard can research behaviour that would be too risky to examine in real traffic. 'For example, I wanted to find out whether international students cycle differently from Dutch students. The ethics committee only allowed them to participate if they had at least six months of cycling experience in the Netherlands. That's only logical if you're conducting research on public roads, but it's exactly the phase where they're still adjusting that gets left out. And that's exactly the interesting part.'
Blood alcohol content
Not all his research studies are high-tech. 'One of the most enjoyable projects involved taking students to the Grote Markt to measure cyclists' alcohol levels,' he says. 'We were there from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next day. People thought it was great fun to take the breath test. On average, their blood alcohol content was around 1 promille, sometimes even 2, while the legal limit is just 0.5. Some people were too drunk to take the breath test, but oddly enough, they could still ride their bikes,' he laughs. 'Of course, it's not allowed and it's dangerous, but it's better to cycle than to drive after drinking.'
Interplay
Those who speak with De Waard quickly notice that he does not view traffic as a matter of 'people' or 'roads', but rather their interplay. That is the view he takes on traffic designs in Groningen, such as traffic lights that turn green for all cyclists at once. 'It's a smart idea and I'm a fan of it,' he says. 'Because the light is only for cyclists, the worst that can happen is that they bump into each other. But it has to be feasible. You need enough space to build up speed. It works well near the station, but not at the UMCG.'
Shared space
De Waard has a nuanced view of shared spaces, such as the one on the Grote Markt. 'The idea is appealing: everyone can move freely, both pedestrians and cyclists. But it only works if people are mindful of each other. Once speed differences become too great, it goes wrong.' Speed differences are, in any case, a thorn in his side. 'Just look at the German motorways,' he says. 'Some cars go 120, while others 220. That's absurd, unnecessary, and very unsafe.'
Low-traffic areas
De Waard is mostly satisfied with the situation in the Netherlands. 'We're a wealthy country, which is also reflected in our roads. Although there are more cycling casualties, we're still doing well when it comes to cycling. Our cities are designed with cyclists in mind, and that's exactly what makes them comfortable to live in.' He believes cities with low-traffic areas are not just a fad, but a logical development. 'There should be no reason to want to go by car to the city centre. In the 1970s, Groningen was a pioneer with its traffic circulation plan: cars couldn't go straight through the city but had to go around via the Diepenring. That made the city a more pleasant place to live, shop, and work. In the US, the opposite is true: everything revolves around the car.'
E-bike
And the e-bike, is it a blessing or a curse? 'For many elderly people, it's a necessity', according to De Waard. 'They can stay mobile, visit family and friends, and remain socially active. But there's a flip side: if they fall, they're more likely to get injured and end up in the hospital. This makes e-bikes seem more dangerous than they really are. It's not about the bike itself, but rather about the combination of speed, infrastructure, and, above all, the vulnerability of the rider.'
Watching out
De Waard laughs: 'Talking of the vulnerability of older people, I'm 61 myself now. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to listen to my wife a bit more'
More information
Dick de Waard (https://www.rug.nl/staff/d.de.waard/?lang=nl)
***
Original text here: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/latest-news/news/archief2026/nieuwsberichten/0120-dewaard
Potential for satellites and AI to help tackle critical invasive species problem
DARWIN, Australia, Jan. 20 -- Charles Darwin University posted the following news:
* * *
Potential for satellites and AI to help tackle critical invasive species problem
*
Satellite imagery and artificial intelligence can detect with high accuracy two invasive weed species in Australia, posing a new opportunity for defense against these pervasive plants.
Research conducted by Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) explored the potential for SkySat satellite imagery and AI algorithms to detect and map African lovegrass ( Eragrostis curvula ) and bitou bush ( Chrysanthemoides
... Show Full Article
DARWIN, Australia, Jan. 20 -- Charles Darwin University posted the following news:
* * *
Potential for satellites and AI to help tackle critical invasive species problem
*
Satellite imagery and artificial intelligence can detect with high accuracy two invasive weed species in Australia, posing a new opportunity for defense against these pervasive plants.
Research conducted by Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) explored the potential for SkySat satellite imagery and AI algorithms to detect and map African lovegrass ( Eragrostis curvula ) and bitou bush ( Chrysanthemoidesmonilifera ssp. rotundata ).
African lovegrass is a highly invasive perennial grass which contributes significantly to the $4 billion per annum required for direct control of all agricultural and environmental weeds.
Bitou bush, identified by the Australian Government as a Weed of National Significance, is an aggressive shrub which invades coastal dune vegetation. Bitou bush forms dense thicket to smother native plants and can significantly reduce coastal biodiversity.
Detection of these species, particularly African lovegrass, is costly and complicated due to infestations occurring at large scales and in mixed landscapes.
The academics fed SkySat satellite imagery of locations across New South Wales into two machine learning algorithms. One model could detect African lovegrass with 89.9 per cent accuracy and bitou bush with 86.1 per cent accuracy.
Co-author and CDU Spatial Analyst Glen Shennan, who has expertise in African lovegrass, said this method could become a critical component in the cost-efficient, rapid detection and monitoring of invasive plants in Australia.
"Ground sampling is very labor-intensive. If we can make drones and satellites work, it can cut down the cost enormously and you can do this repeatedly to see where the species are spreading," Mr Shennan said.
"You can identify vulnerable areas you want to prevent these species from spreading to, and you can direct management funds and mitigation funds to where it's most needed."
Mr Shennan said there was a desperate need for rapid, cost-effective methods to detect these species, in particular African lovegrass.
"African lovegrass is very opportunistic in the way it grows and can out compete native grasses," Mr Shennan said.
"It's not palatable or nutritious. Sheep and cattle avoid as far as possible.
"There's a lot of work going into managing it, but it is herbicide resistant and the only thing that will kill it, it adapts to very quickly.
"It's very fast growing, and grows whenever the weather is right, especially in droughty summers. It likes disturbed ground so if you have a fire come through, it's the first thing that will come back."
Mr Shennan said the accuracy of the results was significant for African lovegrass because it can be difficult to identify.
"It looks a lot like poa tussock when it's young. Even experienced botanists have trouble differentiating the two, which is where satellites and some types of drones come in," he said.
"They can identify different colours we can't see, and with this we hope we can identify its growth patterns."
The research was supported by the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. The study was also authored by CDU Lecturer in Remote Sensing Dr Richard Crabbe, and CSU Senior Lecturer in Livestock Production Management Dr Jane Kelly.
Future avenues of research include expanding the dataset, collaborating with public agencies, and refining the models to reliably differentiate between look-alike species.
Investigating the Potential for the Detection of African Lovegrass and Bitou Bush Using SkySat Earth Observation Satellites was published in the journal Weed Research.
***
Original text here: https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/potential-satellites-ai-help-tackle-critical-invasive-species-problem
Keele University: Debate series to explore societal challenges affecting universities
STAFFORDSHIRE, England, Jan. 20 -- Keele University issued the following news:
* * *
New debate series to explore societal challenges affecting universities
*
The societal issues affecting higher education, and how universities themselves can be part of the solution, will be explored in depth in a series of new public debates launching at Keele University this year.
Convened and hosted by Keele's new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kevin Shakesheff, the "Keele Debates" series has been centred around a range of themes designed to provoke "open disagreement" and constructive debate on the many factors
... Show Full Article
STAFFORDSHIRE, England, Jan. 20 -- Keele University issued the following news:
* * *
New debate series to explore societal challenges affecting universities
*
The societal issues affecting higher education, and how universities themselves can be part of the solution, will be explored in depth in a series of new public debates launching at Keele University this year.
Convened and hosted by Keele's new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kevin Shakesheff, the "Keele Debates" series has been centred around a range of themes designed to provoke "open disagreement" and constructive debate on the many factorsaffecting and influenced by the higher education sector in 2026 and beyond.
A range of speakers from across the worlds of politics, education, technology, and enterprise have been lined up for the debate series, which will focus on issues including internationalisation, AI, and graduate employability, and how universities can both adapt to these challenges and help to address them.
The first debate, titled: "The Global University: Are we exporting education or exploiting students?", will include influential speakers including:
* The Rt Hon Jo Johnson, former Minister of State for Universities
* Vivienne Stern, Chief Executive Officer at Universities UK
* Jessica Turner, Chief Executive Officer of QS Quacquarelli Symonds
* Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of SOAS University of London
* Paul Lovegrove, CEO Europe & Global Chief Operating Officer at Navitas
The debates will be open to all, with guests able to attend in person or online.
Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: "Higher education has a profound and transformative impact on society. Precisely because of that influence, universities must be open to challenge, scrutiny and debate, and be willing to ask difficult questions about how they serve students, communities and the wider world.
"The Keele Debates are designed to create space for disagreement and constructive dialogue across education, business and civic life. By bringing different perspectives together, we want to generate practical insight that helps universities adapt and continue to enhance lives locally, nationally and internationally as we look to the future."
The first debate will be held in the university's Westminster Theatre on Tuesday 17 th February starting at 6pm and also livestreamed.
To register your place, and for more information about the series, visit www.keele.ac.uk/keele-debates.
***
Original text here: https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/news/2026/january/keele-debates/societal-issues-higher-education.php
Interdisciplinary Simulation Advances Health Care Education
SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey, Jan. 20 -- Seton Hall University posted the following news:
* * *
Interdisciplinary Simulation Advances Health Care Education
*
Students in Seton Hall's M.S. in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and M.S. in Physician Assistant (PA) programs partnered with second-year medical students from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) to deepen their clinical and collaborative skills during neurology simulations at the Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in Nutley.
The simulations reflect a shared commitment across Seton Hall's health
... Show Full Article
SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey, Jan. 20 -- Seton Hall University posted the following news:
* * *
Interdisciplinary Simulation Advances Health Care Education
*
Students in Seton Hall's M.S. in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and M.S. in Physician Assistant (PA) programs partnered with second-year medical students from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) to deepen their clinical and collaborative skills during neurology simulations at the Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in Nutley.
The simulations reflect a shared commitment across Seton Hall's healthprofessions programs to expanding interdisciplinary education, preparing students to collaborate effectively in real-world clinical environments.
The events also highlight how shared resources at the IHS campus support this work, bringing together Seton Hall's College of Nursing (CON) and S chool of Health and Medical Sciences (SHMS) with HMSOM.
Simulation-Based Learning: Practicing Skills in a Safe Environment
The interdisciplinary events took place in the IHS Simulation Center's upgraded Hi-Fidelity Suite rooms, designed to resemble hospital units where simulations can be recorded and reviewed as part of students' pre-clinical learning experiences.
Simulations, which mimic true-to-life patient interactions in health care settings, allow students to practice professional skills in a safe environment, said Vikram Dayalu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, interim dean of the School of Health and Medical Sciences.
"These controlled scenarios allow students to build confidence and strengthen their assessment skills prior to clinical rotations," noted Dayalu.
The IHS Simulation Center also includes a Standardized Patient Suite designed to mirror medical examination rooms, along with skills labs outfitted with medical and rehabilitation equipment. In these spaces, students polish their patient evaluation techniques and clinical abilities as future doctors, nurses and health professionals.
Interdisciplinary Simulation Promotes Health Care Collaboration
Faculty said the simulations are part of ongoing efforts to expand interdisciplinary training opportunities for students across Seton Hall's health professions programs.
During two interdisciplinary simulations, Seton Hall's PA and AGACNP students joined second-year HMSOM medical students to take part in a trauma scenario that tested both their classroom knowledge and interprofessional skills on a healthcare team.
The Hi-Fidelity Suite, set up like an emergency room, featured a simulated patient known as a manikin -equipped with moving and speaking capabilities and operated by a staff member in an adjacent control room. Collaborating with their medical student peers, the future nurse practitioners and PAs assessed and stabilized the neurology patient.
Students Boost Clinical Confidence and Strengthen Interprofessional Skills
Kendra Pierre, a rapid response nurse in her second year of the AGACNP program, said the simulation improved her advanced nursing capabilities, including intubation and seizure management, while reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork.
"The simulation enhanced my understanding of team dynamics and role delineation during emergencies," Pierre said.
PA student Michelle Inga, who hopes to work in a neurosurgical intensive care unit or trauma center in the future, also appreciated the opportunity to put her classroom learning to the test.
"Experiencing a critical neurological case event firsthand while collaborating with medical students was the best way to become confident and comfortable while getting constructive feedback in a high-stress situation," Inga said.
Additional interdisciplinary simulations are anticipated in the spring semester, noted Michelle McWeeney, PhD, PA-C, assistant professor in the School of Health and Medical Sciences.
"Our students were grateful to participate in this experience and learn from neurology attendings," she added.
Categories: Health and Medicine, Research
***
Original text here: https://www.shu.edu/health/news/interdisciplinary-simulation-advances-health-care-education.html
Grain industry leader the new LISAF Director
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 20 -- La Trobe University issued the following news release:
* * *
Grain industry leader the new LISAF Director
Professor Blanchard brings more than 25 years of experience in agricultural and food sciences.
*
His research career includes extensive research experience at the CSIRO Grain Quality Research Laboratory, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Switzerland and Charles Sturt University.
Outside of academia, Professor Blanchard has extensive leadership in the grains industry, having twice chaired the Australasian Grain Science Association. He served
... Show Full Article
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 20 -- La Trobe University issued the following news release:
* * *
Grain industry leader the new LISAF Director
Professor Blanchard brings more than 25 years of experience in agricultural and food sciences.
*
His research career includes extensive research experience at the CSIRO Grain Quality Research Laboratory, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Switzerland and Charles Sturt University.
Outside of academia, Professor Blanchard has extensive leadership in the grains industry, having twice chaired the Australasian Grain Science Association. He servedon the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Southern Panel for seven years and as a GRDC Board Director for three years.
His contributions extend to strategic industry committees, including Grain Growers and Australia's National Committee for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
"I'm honoured to be joining the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food as its next Director, and excited to accelerate research and innovation that is strengthening Australia's food systems, from improving grain quality and sustainability, to boosting plant-based nutrition for consumers." Professor Blanchard said.
"I look forward to working with an exceptional team at La Trobe across farming systems, digital agriculture, protected cropping, plant breeding, agrifood science and nutrition."
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Chris Pakes welcomed the appointment.
"Professor Blanchard brings extraordinary academic standing, extensive research leadership, and enduring connections with industry and government," Professor Pakes said.
"His appointment will ensure LISAF remains at the forefront of innovation in sustainable agriculture and food systems."
Professor Blanchard succeeds Professor Tony Bacic, a globally respected plant biochemist whose leadership has been instrumental in establishing LISAF as a global leader in 'paddock-to-gut' research.
Under Professor Bacic's leadership, LISAF recently launched Australia's first ARC Research Hub for Protected Cropping, attracting $27 million in funding to address climate resilience and crop quality.
Professor Bacic's research contributions include groundbreaking work on cereal biology, food quality and crop productivity. He has extensive leadership experience in research, with involvement in several Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence and Corporative Research Centres.
His achievements have been recognised through his election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and numerous awards from both La Trobe and James Cook universities.
Professor Blanchard's appointment, commencing in April 2026, marks an exciting new chapter for LISAF, building on Professor Bacic's legacy and setting the stage for innovative research and industry partnerships that will strengthen Australia's agricultural and food sectors.
***
Original text here: https://latr-search.funnelback.squiz.cloud/s/redirect?collection=latr~sp-news&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latrobe.edu.au%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2026%2Frelease%2Fgrain-industry-leader-the-new-lisaf-director&index_url=http%3A%2F%2F1775026%2F&auth=oajvuLz%2F0rduP6V6gTPJ%2Fw&profile=media-releases&rank=1&query=%21FunDoesNotExist%3Apadrenull
Computer simulation & gaming program ranked best in state for game design
TULSA, Oklahoma, Jan. 20 -- The University of Tulsa posted the following news:
* * *
Computer simulation & gaming program ranked best in state for game design
*
The University of Tulsa's computer simulation & gaming (CSG) program, housed in the College of Engineering & Computer Science's Tandy School of Computer Science, has been ranked the No. 1 game design program in Oklahoma, according to publisher Animation Career Review.
The ranking list is based on surveys, the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, academic reputation and admission selectivity. Animation and special-effect
... Show Full Article
TULSA, Oklahoma, Jan. 20 -- The University of Tulsa posted the following news:
* * *
Computer simulation & gaming program ranked best in state for game design
*
The University of Tulsa's computer simulation & gaming (CSG) program, housed in the College of Engineering & Computer Science's Tandy School of Computer Science, has been ranked the No. 1 game design program in Oklahoma, according to publisher Animation Career Review.
The ranking list is based on surveys, the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, academic reputation and admission selectivity. Animation and special-effectstudios from across the nation use these rankings to recruit and hire graduating students from ranked programs.
"Our holistic approach to game creation is what really sets our program apart," said Akram Taghavi-Burris, M.Ed., program coordinator and CSG instructor. "Unlike programs that emphasize only design or development, UTulsa's curriculum is intentionally interdisciplinary, blending computer science, visual arts, sound, storytelling and emerging technologies."
The CSG program is composed of 30 credit hours of core fundamentals. Students start with exploring why people play games. From there, they develop skills in game programming, 3D modeling and level design. The program also offers a computer science and art minor.
With 24 credit hours reserved for specializations, students also have the option to focus on several concentrations: animation, game design, development, production, sound design, visual arts and simulation. This provides students with a broad foundation of skills while still allowing for specializations. By graduation, students are equipped with a versatile skillset for roles in entertainment, education, health care, aerospace and more.
Taghavi-Burris also emphasized that the CSG program brings students together across courses and disciplines to collaborate on a single, multi-semester, senior capstone game. Senior production students develop a complete game while working closely with 3D animation students who create cinematic cutscenes. In collaboration with UTulsa's School of Music, students in the video game scoring
course produce an original score, sound effects and dialogue. Over two semesters, senior production teams integrate these assets into a polished final game, giving students hands-on experience in a studio-style pipeline, preparing them for real-world production environments before graduation.
"CSG is more than just writing code. It is a creative and collaborative process," said Taghavi-Burris.
Students from all backgrounds and skill levels can pursue a CSG major or minor. For more information, visit the CSG program page here. For the latest news and updates, explore the CSG program blog here.
***
Original text here: https://utulsa.edu/news/computer-simulation-gaming-program-ranked-best-in-state-for-game-design/
