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MSc in Computer ScienceAugmented & Virtual Reality

The Augmented & Virtual Reality strand equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge to enable them to participate in the design and development of the technology that underpins fast moving video game market as well as providing transferable skills relevant for careers in the wider industries of interactive entertainment, new media and communication. This strand is a modified version of the well established and successful M.Sc in Interactive Entertainment Technology and is built on research expertise in the Trinity Centre for Creative Technologies. This Centre is based on a unique collaboration of Computer Science, Engineering, Drama and the Arts; The focus is on the creative technologies including film, interactive multimedia, games, and simulation.
 

Playlist of Sample Student Work

Career Opportunities

We expect graduates to be in high demand for research and development positions within leading multi-national companies and start-up companies alike. Previous graduates from our M.Sc. programmes have gone on to work for games or visual effects companies, whilst many others work in broader areas involving computer vision, computer graphics or interactive digital applications. We expect future graduates to be equally successful in securing employment in this industry. In some cases, our graduates have gone on to further postgraduate research, taking up funded PhD positions at TCD or other universities in Ireland abroad.

The following is a sample of roles secured by graduates after completing this course

Augmented & Virtual Reality Modules

Michaelmas Term (Sept-Dec)	Hilary Term (Jan-March)	Summer Term (April-August)
Machine Learning	Real-time Rendering	Dissertation
Research Methods and Innovation	Augmented Reality
Advanced Software Engineering 1	Advanced Software Engineering 2
Computer Vision	Real-time Animation
Computer Graphics*	Option 1
Mathematics of Light & Sound	Option 2

Option 1 and 2 are 5 credit electives module selected from other strands. Alternatively, students may take a single 10 credit elective, EE5C1 Digital Media Systems. Click on the links above for more detail on individual modules.

Summary Course Content

Along with the core modules in the first semester, you take two mandatory modules. The first of these is Computer Vision which will equip you with knowledge of a range of image processing, feature extraction and shape representation and transformation techniques.  It will build on the machine learning course by targeting these techniques in the computer vision domain. The second of these is Mathematics of Light & Sound which will delve into the maths needed for the synthesis and analysis of audio and video signals. Finally, Computer Graphics* will deal with basic modelling and linear algebra techniques before delving into the computer graphics pipeline, 3D graphics programming, projection and viewing techniques and illumination models.

All students students take a 10 credit course over both semester on Advanced Software Engineering  which explores the methods and techniques involved in large-scale software development encompassing Agile and eXtreme Programming (XP), Test-driven development and Re-factoring.   In Real-Time Rendering you will explore the graphics pipeline, GPUs as well as a variety of shading, illumination and rendering techniques.  The Augmented Reality module equips students with a solid background in alternative 3-D compositing techniques.  You will learn to develop interactive applications on both PC and mobile devices. The third core strand module explores Real-Time Animation  techniques which in addition to introducing blending, kinematics and motion capture will involve three programming assignments and the development of an project proposal in real-time animation.  Finally, option 1 and 2 allows you to once again broaden your core skills in augmented & virtual reality with a module chosen from the other strands in this MSc programme.

By April, you will have chosen your Dissertation topic, picked and consulted with your chosen supervisor and be ready to develop substantial time researching and prototyping your work.  We expect that the top projects should deliver publishable quality papers over this period.

Apply for Augmented & Virtual Reality Strand