This new programme is based at the School of Simulation and Visualisation, with a specialist pathway in 3D Modelling from September 2018. The programme will provide graduates with a highly relevant skill set in practical software and immersive systems (Virtual Reality) development, an understanding of how people and technology interact, combined with the creative insight essential to help create the future in immersive systems. This is a technology focused degree with a strong art-school foundation, combining rigorous taught components with studio based learning and critical thinking.
Visualisation and Virtual Reality has been an area of excellence for the School of Simulation and Visualisation since its formation (as the Digital Design Studio) almost 20 years ago, and is an area that is now seeing a surge of rapid development and adoption worldwide. With the entertainment market driving costs down, new opportunities are emerging for VR in broadcast and entertainment, medical, engineering and other domains, with major investments from companies as varied as Sky Broadcasting, Sony, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft.
Students can expect to benefit from the School’s continued research and commercial work (in e.g. archaeology and medical sectors) and relationships with major broadcasters, VR developers and private and public sector clients. Through the programme students will gain an understanding of major issues around core and specialist topics in Immersive Systems alongside practical skills for creating engaging and immersive interactive experiences.
The BSc in Immersive Systems Design will provide students with a foundation in theory and practical understanding of the methods, tools and techniques required to conceive, design and evaluate new interactive and immersive systems for traditional and mobile platforms.
The specialist pathway available for study starting 2018/19 is 3D Modelling, a core discipline for the development of content for Immersive Systems. Here students specialise in 3D modelling while gaining a broader range of technical skills. Technical artists combine knowledge of how software and hardware digital systems function with modelling and animation skills, and are highly valued team members on many Immersive Systems projects, due to their strong understanding of technical issues, problems and solutions related to real-time rendering and application development. An understanding of user experience and user evaluation further enriches and augments students abilities in modelling and design for specific activities.
