Introduction to Extended Realities

Catalog description

Foundational course introduces students to Extended Reality (XR) technologies, encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Students learn spatial computing fundamentals based on human-computer interaction principles and visual simulation techniques, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical experience with current XR platforms and development environments. The course traces the evolution of immersive technologies from early simulation systems to contemporary head-mounted displays, as well as mobile and web-based XR applications, examining both historical developments and current state-of-the-art implementations across industries including education, entertainment, healthcare and design. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, students study core concepts of computer graphics, real-time rendering and interactive systems essential for XR development. The practical component includes working with current XR hardware platforms and development frameworks, while exploring topics such as spatial visualization, 3D object representation, user interaction design and principles of immersive experience design. Students learn to apply these skills across diverse fields, from scientific visualization to immersive storytelling.