Virtual Reality TMUL 4320

Course description:

This course aims to understand the basic principles of virtual reality (VR); describe the historical development of virtual reality; Evaluate current virtual reality hardware and software; and design and construct a simple virtual environment. At the end of this course students should be able understand the VR concept and be able to manipulate with VR projects and types.

In the Lab, students will learn OpenGL and WebGL, real-time rendering, 3D display systems, display optics & electronics, IMUs and sensors, tracking, haptics, rendering pipeline, multimodal human perception and depth perception, stereo rendering, presence. Emphasis on VR technology. Hands-on programming assignments. The 3-unit version requires a final programming assignment in which you create your own virtual environment. The 4-unit version requires a final course project and written report in lieu of the final assignment. Prerequisites: strong programming skills and EE 103 or equivalent. 


Course Aims:

This course aims to enable the student to:
  • Understand how modern VR headsets "trick the brain" into believing it’s somewhere else.
  • Understand what makes content experienced through modern virtual reality headsets a truly new type of media distinct from all previous media forms.
  • Explore, critique and deconstruct VR experiences being created in the Oculus Share developer portal. 
  • Identifying stories that can be “told” better through an experience, then building them.
  • Get experience creating stories for various types of communications, including entertainment, journalism, advertising and public relations.
  • Know the unique ethical and health considerations that must be taken into account for any virtual reality experience. 

Course outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, student should be able to:
  • Use the Unity3D gaming engine.
  • Use 3D modeling tools.
  • Conceptualize and build a 3D story.
  • Create interactive game elements that pull a user through a story.
  • Use portable 3D scanners and incorporating the output into a story.
  • Produce 360 video
  • Incorporate 360-degree video into a story.
  • Export for the Web, Oculus Rift, Samsung GearVR and Google Cardboard.
  • Export for 2D body responsive video walls.