Virtual Reality
CP SC 6360
Note: Even though Robotics is listed as a prerequisite for this
course, it is not even remotely required. Programming ablity is
useful, as the assignments are largely interfacing with VR gear. C/C++
is the normal language used. Some graphics background is helpful, but
not required, and people have been very successful in the past with no
graphics/OpenGL experience.
| Schedule: | | MWF 11:50-12:40
|
| Location: | | WEB - 1450 (this is near the cafe in the new Warnock building) |
| Instructor: | | David Johnson |
| Email: | | dejohnso@cs.utah.edu |
| Office: | | 2875 WEB (ph) 585-1726 |
| Lab: | | Assignments will largely be done in MEB 2172. You will need U card access to this room, which the instructor will arrange at the beginning of the course. |
| Hours: | | I am generally available and through
appointment. |
| Text:
| | My notes and rely on academic papers and tutorials. Currently evaluating a possible text as well.
|
Objectives
This course will introduce students to the software, hardware, and
concepts involved with the current state of the art in virtual reality
(or virtual environments). This course will focus on using some of the recent consumer-grade equipment, such as the Kinect, Razer Hydra, and Nvidia Surround stereo. The main topics of the course will be hand/head/body tracking, physics simulation, and 3D interaction techniques. Some of the topics that likely will be presented include:
- 3D interfaces and interaction;
- visual, haptic, tactile, and auditory displays;
- position tracking;
- Collision detection and response;
- 3D displays, HMDs, tiled displays, stereo displays;
- collaborative, networked virtual environments;
- applications relating to virtual environments;
- augmented reality systems.
The course will also include readings from the various conferences and
journals where Virtual Reality research is published and exposure to
various VR toolkits and software systems.
Students should finish the course with:
- an understanding of theoretical approaches to and difficulties in VR systems;
- computational tools to apply VR techniques to real problems;
- the ability to read and evaluate scientific literature;
- practice in conveying research results to an audience.
Grading
Your course grade will depend on the following factors:
| | Programming Assignments | | 60% |
| | Final Project Paper and Talk | | 15% |
| | Paper Critiques and Discussion | | 5% |
| | Exam and Quizzes | | 20% |
Policies
Late Policy: Zero credit is given for late work, please just
submit what you have for partial credit if unfinished. However, you
may distribute three late days among your assignments (not the final
project). You must notify me of your intent to use this privilege by
the original due date. Also, additional leeway can be given for
officially sanctioned University activities.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Students are encouraged to discuss
approaches with one another and to help one another with computer
infrastructure questions, but not to share or view another person’s
code. Some assignments will be done in small groups, in this case full
collaboration is allowed within the group.
This is a graduate level course. As such, students are expected to
behave in a professional manner.
Accommodations: The University of Utah seeks to provide equal
access to its programs, services and activities for people with
disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable
prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services,
162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the
instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.