CS3VR: Virtual Reality, Games and Graphics

Module code: CS3VR

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Richard Mitchell, email: r.j.mitchell@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have knowledge of Matrices and Vectors, some programming skills. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is design to describe virtual reality in terms of the scientific issues, application areas and strengths and weaknesses of the technology. The module will enable students to gain experience of various software by designing suitable virtual worlds and/or games.Techniques for the creation of the virtual worlds and games using computer graphics are also covered.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Apply computing knowledge and intellectual skills in solving modelling of virtual worlds; 
2. Develop effective solutions in the context of the creation of a suitable interactive virtual world or game. 
3. Work successfully in a team where different specialisms are employed by members of a group to produce the world. 

Module content

The module will cover the following topics: 

• Virtual Realityand Games 
  • Human Factors – including both how humans sense the real worldas well as relevant social, legal and ethical aspects
  • Hence, how technology can reproduce a virtual world 
  • How to interact with virtual environments or games, including visual, audio and haptic senses 
  • Some optimisation methods for improving performance of such systems 
• Modelling 
  • Mathematical and programming techniques for modelling world 
  • Visually, matrix transforms used in creating models of objects 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be lectures across the term.  

Students will in their own time learn the relevant software, including the Unity game engine, modelling software such as Blender, so as to produce virtual world/games for the assignments. 

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Relevant examples will be provided allowing students to assess the mathematics behind computer graphics. 

Reassessment

Additional costs