Introduction to Virtual/Augmented Reality and Telepresence

MM-806 (Fall 2025)

University of Alberta - Department of Computing Science

Course Information

👨‍🏫 Instructor Information

Teaching Assistant

TA: TBD

Responsibilities: Assignment grading, lab assistance, project guidance

📅 Course Schedule & Delivery

Virtual Attendance

Registration Required: Please register in advance using the Zoom registration link

Confirmation: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with meeting details

Technical Requirements: Stable internet connection, webcam (optional), microphone for participation

Course Description

Virtual reality and augmented reality can provide an immersive environment where many scenarios can be simulated with remarkable fidelity. These technologies have revolutionized numerous fields including manufacturing and engineering tasks, medical planning and training, art and design, rehabilitation, Physics, Biology and Chemistry concept exploration, gaming, education, and countless other applications that benefit from immersive virtual environments.

This course focuses on the multifaceted challenges of designing and implementing user-friendly virtual reality systems where users can interact intuitively and naturally. We'll explore the intricate use of interactive techniques and sensor-based devices, such as haptic feedback systems and head-mounted displays, in creating compelling virtual environments for scientific analysis, data visualization exploration, and telepresence applications.

Course Focus Areas

3D User Interfaces	Immersive Visualization	Haptic Systems	Motion Tracking
Virtual Environments	Human Factors	Real-time Rendering	Spatial Computing

Additionally, we'll examine how mobile users can participate in these applications, exploring the convergence of mobile computing, cloud technologies, and immersive experiences. The course covers both the technical implementation details and the human factors considerations that make VR/AR systems effective and engaging.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.   Understand VR/AR Fundamentals: Comprehend the theoretical foundations, historical development, and current state of virtual and augmented reality technologies

2.   Design Immersive Systems: Design and implement user-centered VR/AR applications using modern development platforms like Unity 3D

3.   Apply Human Factors: Integrate human perception principles and ergonomic considerations into VR/AR system design

4.   Implement Tracking Systems: Understand and implement various motion tracking and input technologies for immersive experiences

5.   Develop 3D Interfaces: Create intuitive three-dimensional user interfaces and interaction paradigms

6.   Optimize Performance: Understand and address the computational and hardware requirements for real-time VR/AR systems

7.   Evaluate Applications: Critically analyze VR/AR applications across different domains and assess their effectiveness

8.   Conduct Research: Plan, execute, and present original research in VR/AR technologies

Recommended Background

Recommended Background Knowledge

·         Linear Algebra: Vector and matrix operations, transformations

·         Physics: Basic mechanics, optics, and wave theory

·         Human-Computer Interaction: User interface design principles

·         Software Engineering: Object-oriented programming and design patterns

·         Game Development: Experience with game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine) is helpful but not required

Technical Requirements

Assignments & Assessment

📧 Submission Guidelines

📅 Assignment Schedule

Assignment	Topic	Due Date
Assignment 1	Unity Fundamentals & 3D Graphics	October 9
Assignment 2	VR Display Systems & Stereoscopy	October 21
Assignment 3	Motion Tracking & Input Systems	October 30
Assignment 4	3D Audio & Spatial Sound	November 13
Assignment 5	Virtual Reality and AI	December 5

Assignment Learning Outcomes

Each assignment is carefully designed to build upon previous knowledge while introducing new concepts. The progression moves from basic 3D graphics and Unity fundamentals through advanced topics like spatial audio and haptic feedback. Don't be misled by the relatively small weight assigned to homework grades in the final calculation—working through these problems is absolutely crucial for understanding the material and will significantly impact your comprehension of VR/AR concepts.

Practical Focus: All assignments emphasize hands-on implementation and real-world applications rather than purely theoretical exercises. You'll build working VR/AR prototypes that demonstrate key concepts covered in lectures.

Course Project

Project Phases

Phase	Description
Phase 1: Planning	Team formation, topic selection, initial proposal
Phase 2: Development	Implementation, iterative testing, regular check-ins
Phase 3: Evaluation	User testing, performance analysis, documentation
Phase 4: Presentation	Demo day, final report, peer evaluation

📋 Project Proposal Requirements

·         Project Title: Clear, descriptive title reflecting the VR/AR focus

·         Team Composition: Names, student IDs, and role assignments for all team members (3-4 students recommended)

·         Detailed Project Description: 2–3 pages overview including motivation, objectives, and expected outcomes

·         Technical Architecture: Diagram of the VR/AR interface functionality and system components

·         Implementation Plan: Preliminary system design with technology stack and development approach

·         Project Timeline: Detailed timeline with milestones, deliverables, and individual responsibilities

·         Resource Requirements: List of equipment, data, software licenses, and other resources needed

·         Risk Assessment: Potential challenges and mitigation strategies

·         Evaluation Metrics: How you will measure the success and effectiveness of your system

Project Categories

Students may choose from several project categories:

1.   Educational VR/AR Applications: Training simulations, interactive learning environments

2.   Healthcare & Rehabilitation: Medical training, therapy applications, surgical planning

3.   Entertainment & Gaming: Immersive games, interactive storytelling, virtual concerts

4.   Industrial Applications: Manufacturing training, architectural visualization, remote collaboration

5.   Research Tools: Scientific visualization, data exploration, experimental platforms

6.   Social VR: Virtual meeting spaces, collaborative environments, social interaction platforms

Project Timeline

Date	Milestone
October 6	Group formation and initial topic discussion
October 30	Formal project proposal submission
November 15	Mid-project progress report and demonstration
December 13-19	Final project presentations and demonstrations
December 19	Final project report due

Course Grade

The final grade for the course is based on our best assessment of your understanding of the material and your commitment and participation:

Activity	Weight	Description
Final Project	50%	Group project including proposal, implementation, demo, and final report
Assignments (5 × 10%)	50%	Individual programming and design assignments

Course Schedule

Module	Date	Topics	Slides	Assignments & Extras
1	Sept 7	First Class & Course Overview • Introduction to VR/AR concepts • Course structure and expectations • Historical perspective	Class Overview	Unity 3D installation guide
2	Sept 9-11	Introduction to VR/AR • Definition of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Virtualized Reality, and Telepresence • Generic Configuration of Virtual Reality Systems • Brief overview of VR applications	VR-Intro	Quiz1
3	Sept 16-18	History of VR • Evolution from Sutherland to modern systems • Key milestones and breakthroughs • Current state of the industry	VR-History	Quiz2
4	Sept 23-25	Computer Graphics Review • 3D transformations and coordinate systems • Rendering pipelines • Real-time graphics considerations	VR-Graphics	Quiz3 Quiz4 Quiz5 Quiz6
5	Sept 30-Oct 2	Lighting and Shading • Physically-based rendering • Real-time lighting techniques • Performance optimization	VR-Graphics	Assignment 1 Due: Oct 6 Quiz7 Quiz8
6	Oct 7-9	Introduction to Human Vision • Visual perception principles • Depth cues and stereopsis • Color theory and vision science	VR-Human Vision	Group Description Due: Oct 6
7	Oct 14-16	Visual Rendering Systems • Stereoscopic display systems (LCD, CRT, HMD) • Advanced visualization systems • New display technologies • Cinematic VR approaches	VR-Displays	Assignment 2 Due: Oct 20
8	Oct 21-23	Motion Tracking & Input • 3D position sensors (magnetic, ultrasound, optical) • Inertial measurement systems • Hand and body tracking • Input device evaluation	VR-Tracking	VR/AR project proposal work
9	Oct 28-30	Sound Rendering Systems • 3D audio principles and psychoacoustics • HRTF and spatial audio • Unity 3D audio spatializer • Performance considerations	VR-Sound	Assignment 3 Due: Oct 31
10	Nov 4-6	Haptic Rendering Systems • Tactile vs. force feedback • Haptic device types and characteristics • Haptic rendering algorithms • Multi-modal feedback design	VR-Haptics	Assignment 4 Due: Nov 13
	Nov 11-13	Reading Week
12	Nov 18-20	Computing Architectures • VR/AR hardware requirements • Graphics pipeline optimization • Distributed and cloud-based VR • Mobile VR considerations	VR-Hardware	Mid-project progress reports Assignment 5 Due: Dec 5
13	Nov 25-27	Modeling for VR • Geometric modeling techniques • Physics simulation and collision detection • Behavioral and AI modeling • Level-of-detail and optimization	VR-Modeling	Assignment 5 Due: Dec 5
15	Dec 2	Human Factors & Usability • VR sickness and comfort • Ergonomic design principles • User testing methodologies • Accessibility considerations	VR-Human-Factors	Project preparation
16	Dec 4	Augmented Reality • AR tracking and registration • Display technologies • Mobile AR platforms • Mixed reality applications	Augmented Reality	Final project preparations
17	Dec 9	Telepresence
Finals	Dec 15-21	Student Presentations and Demos Final Reports Due: December 19		Project Demo Week

Course Policies

Academic Integrity

Accommodation Services

Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodation should make an appointment with the instructor as soon as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.

Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring they have access to required technology and maintaining backup copies of all work. Technical difficulties are not acceptable excuses for late submissions unless they affect the entire class.

Communication Policy

·         Check email regularly for course updates

·         Use course email for assignment-related questions

·         Post general questions to the course forum

·         Schedule office hours for complex technical issues

Resources

📖 Recommended Reference Books

Title	Authors	Year	Description
Handbook of Virtual Environments: Design, Implementation, and Applications, 2nd Edition	K. S. Hale, K. M. Stanney (Eds.)	2014	Comprehensive coverage of VR theory and practice
3D User Interfaces: Theory and Practice	D. A. Bowman, E. Kruijff, J. J. LaViola, I. Poupyrev	2014	Essential guide to designing 3D interaction techniques
Understanding Virtual Reality: Interface, Application, and Design	W. R. Sherman, A. B. Craig	2012	Practical introduction to VR systems and applications

💻 Developer References

Unity3D Documentation

·         Unity Learn Tutorials

·         Unity 6 User Manual

·         Unity Learn Platform

·         Getting Started with Unity

VR Platform Documentation

·         Meta Horizon Developer Portal

·         Meta Quest Developer Community

·         OpenXR Specification

·         Meta Quest Help Center

AR Development Resources

·         ARCore Documentation

·         ARCore Developer Guide

·         ARKit Documentation

·         ARCore Extensions for Unity

🔬 Research Articles

Title	Topic	Link
"Stereoscopy and the Human Visual System"	Human vision and 3D perception	Research Paper
"Optometric and Perceptual Issues with Head-mounted Displays"	HMD design and human factors	Research Paper
IEEE VR Conference Proceedings	Latest research in VR/AR technologies	IEEE Xplore

🌐 Online Resources & Communities

Development Communities

·         Reddit VR Development

·         Reddit Oculus

·         Unity Forums

·         Meta Developer Community

Industry News & Insights

·         Road to VR

·         UploadVR

·         VRFocus

·         TechCrunch AR/VR

Technical Blogs & Tutorials

·         Immersive Learning News

·         Unity Blog

·         Meta Developers Blog

·         Khronos Group Blog

Academic Resources

·         ACM Digital Library

·         arXiv Computer Graphics

·         Google Scholar

Related Course Links

🎓 University VR/AR Programs

Institution/Program	Description	Link
EDX VR App Development Certificate	Professional certificate program in VR development	Course Link
Stanford EE267: Virtual Reality	Stanford's comprehensive VR course	Course Link
EPFL Virtual Reality Course	European perspective on VR technologies	Course Link
UIC Virtual Reality Course	University of Illinois Chicago VR curriculum	Course Link
University VR Courses Directory	Comprehensive list of academic VR programs	Directory

Professional Development

Unity Certification Programs

·         Unity Certified Programmer

·         Unity Certified 3D Artist

·         Unity Certified Instructor

Industry Conferences

·         IEEE VR Conference

·         SIGGRAPH

·         Augmented World Expo (AWE)

·         VR/AR Global Summit

Professional Organizations

·         IEEE Computer Society

·         ACM SIGGRAPH

·         Virtual Reality Society

Contact Information

This syllabus is subject to change with advance notice. Students will be notified of any modifications via email and course announcements.

Last Updated: August 2024
Version: 2.0