To introduce students to the new concepts, techniques and applications of virtual reality in multimedia and engineering.

Introduction (3 hours)
Virtual reality, Virtual reality systems, Realtime computer graphics, Overview of application areas.

Virtual Reality Systems (3 hours)
The virtual environment, The computer environment, VR technology, Modes of interaction

Virtual Reality Hardware (4 hours)
Sensor hardware, Display Systems, Acoustic hardware, Integrated VR systems.

Virtual Reality Software (3 hours)
Modeling of virtual worlds, Simulation, VR toolkits.

3D Computer Graphics (6 hours)
The virtual world space, Perspective projection, Stereo vision, 3D clipping, Color theory, 3D modelling, Illumination models, Shading algorithms, Hidden surface removal, Realism

Geometrical Transforms (5 hours)
Frames of reference, 3D transforms, Instances, Picking, Flying, Scaling the VE, Collision detection.

Animating the Virtual Environment (6 hours)
Introduction to animation, The dynamics of numbers, Updating real-time graphics, Shape and object inbetweening, Free-form deformation

Human Factors (4 hours)
Perception, Persistence of vision, Stereopsis, Sound perception, Equilibrium.

Physical Simulation (5 hours)
Simulation of physical systems, Mathematical modelling, Collisions, Projectiles, Introduction to dynamics, Motion kinematics.

References:

• John Vince, 'Virtual Reality Systems', Addison-Wesley (1995).