The XR Certificate program at Ball State University is a brand-new immersive educational initiative designed to provide students with knowledge and skill sets to practice in the domain of Extended Reality (XR). Encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technology altogether, XR provides a way to merge the real world and digital worlds to provide new ways of understanding, living, working, and playing.
XR applications, experiences, and solutions are being developed across multiple industries and domains. VR is helping train engineers, AR is improving outcomes for surgical procedures, and MR is allowing new modes of artistic expression. From gaming to urban planning, XR elevates experiences. Knowing how to design, develop, and understand these experiences is becoming critically important.
The XR certificate program at Ball State University provides students with a fundamental understanding and knowledge of how to analyze, design, develop, and launch XR experiences. Students with diverse backgrounds and interests can integrate knowledge from the XR certificate to add a new dimension to their major needs and goals.
This certificate is open to all students. No previous design or software experience is required to register. Any student interested in the XR certificate program should reach out to Michael Lee for questions.
What you will learn
- Learn the fundamental concepts of XR
- UX/UI design principles in XR
- Software tools for XR application design
- Understand key issues around XR experience
Contact Us
- Michael Lee, Associate Professor in the Department of Media, michaellee@bsu.edu
- Josh Fisher, Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, Joshua.fisher@bsu.edu
Additional Information
XR Certificate Requirements
Core Sequence-9 credits
- CCIM 220-Introduction of XR
- CCIM 320-User Experience and Interaction Design for XR
- CCIM 420-XR Capstone
Electives-6 credits
- ARCH 261-Design Communications Media
- ARCH 263-Digital Design
- ARCH 498-Special Project in Architecture
- CS 120-Computer Science 1: Programming Fundamentals
- CS 215-Introduction to Game Design
- CS 315-Game Programming
- EMDD 211-Interactivity Design
- EMDD 214-Digital Sound Design
- EMDD 215-Usability
- EMDD 216-Design Thinking
- EMDD 375-Digital Storytelling
- MDIA 115-Media and Creative Process
- MDIA 335-Beginning Multimedia Production
- MDIA 351-Web Development
- MDIA 375-Visual Effects for Media
- MDIA 449-Motion Graphics and Media Storytelling
- MDIA 451-Multiplatform Web Development
- ADS 102-3D Foundations Studio
- ART 311-Animation: 3D Modeling, Texturing, Lighting, and Rendering
- ART 312-Animation: 3D Animation, Rigging, and Simulation
For course descriptions see the catalog.
View Catalog
Technology Suggestions
While there are no technology requirements, the following is suggested for students:
- Computer Specification Suggestions
- Operating System: Windows 10 (64 bit) or MacOS 10.14+
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher
- RAM: 8GB or more
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 / Nvidia GeForce 710 / AMD Radeon HD 6450 or equivalent and above
- Example Machines:
- MacBook Pro (2017 and newer)
- Dell XPS 15
- Microsoft Surface Book 3
- Asus ZenBook Pro 15
- Mobile Device Suggestions
- AR Capability: Students should have a smartphone capable of augmented reality (AR) functions.
- LiDAR Capability: While not mandatory for all AR tasks, having a phone with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology can offer enhanced AR experiences.
- Example Phones with AR and LiDAR:
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max (and subsequent models)
- iPad Pro 2020 & 2021 models (11-inch & 12.9-inch)
Note: Apple's devices are the primary consumer devices with integrated LiDAR. However, the landscape of smartphones is ever-evolving, and more models from other manufacturers might emerge with these capabilities.
Resources
When students enroll the XR certificate program, they will be able to access the following technology and resource. Notice that the permission to the resource will be given to students who are enrolled in any of the certificate program required course: CCIM 220, CCIM 320, and CCIM 420.
- AJ 380 CCIM computer lab - a computer lab equipped with the state of art computers.
- Unified Media Services
- HMD – Meta Quest 2. Students need to reserve it before they check out. Fill out the following online form to reserve and pick it up from UMS check out (link to check out system)
- Additional Adobe Software
- Library station