VR Educational Opportunities FAQ
Last Update: June 28, 1995
Asia:
Singapore, National University of
Institute of Systems Science
Contact: Dr. Gurminder Singh
Institute of Systems Science
National University of Singapore
Kent Ridge
Singapore 0511.
Email: gsingh@iss.nus.sg or issgs@nusvm.bitnet
FAX: (65)778-2571
Phone: (65)772-3651
Program:
Opportunities for MSc and PhD through this research are available.
The institute provides financial assistance to graduate students.
Specialties:
In terms of vr research, we are looking at the application of vr to
the training and practice of architecture design. Our emphasis is much
different from typical solid modeling approaches; instead we are
looking at languages for architecture design.
In the first phase we are focusing on the training aspects of
architecture design. The resulting system will be used to teach
architecture design at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Canada:
_Alberta, University of (CANADA)_
Institution: University of Alberta
Computer Graphics Research Group
Contact(s): Mark Green, Professor (mark@cs.ualberta.ca)
(403) 492-4584
Program(s): MSc, PhD Computer Science
Specialties:
The Computer Graphics Research Group specializes in three major areas: Visualization and Modeling and Rendering and Virtual Reality research. Visualization of high-speed ATM network traffic data/events. Investigate and implement 2D techniques and 3D techniques. Visualization is carried out using HP /IDACOM 75000 Broadband Series Test System. The Volume Rendering research has concentrated on 3D filtering techniques for 3D textures.
The Virtual Reality research has concentrated on developing software tools for the production of virtual reality applications. Since 1988, the VR group has been collaborating with researchers at the Banff Centre, providing computer tools that can be used by artists to produce 3D interactive art. One of the main products of the laboratory is the MR Toolkit, which is a software package for the production of VR applications. This software has been distributed to over 300 sites in 34 countries over the past three and half years.
_Toronto, University of_ (CANADA)
Institution: Computer Science Department
University of Toronto
Contact(s): Computer Science (416) 978-6025
Graduate Studies Admission (416) 978-5369
General Information (416) 978-2011
_VIRGINIA, UNIVERSITY OF (USA)_
Institution: Computer Science Department, User Interface Group
University of Virginia
Program(s): MS or Ph.D. in computer science
Specialties:
basic research in human perception
development of architectures and toolkits to support
real-time, immersive interfaces
working with partners in other dept.s to
develop demonstration applications
Resources:
2 SGI VGXs
many SUNS
several Polhemus, Bird, and ultrisound trackers
12 grad & undergrad students
researchers from CS, EE, and psychology
United States of America:
_Central Florida, University of (USA)_
Institution: Visual Systems Laboratory
Institute for Simulation and Training
University of Central Florida
12424 Research Parkway, Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32816
phone: (407) 658 5073 / 5074
fax: (407) 658 5059
Contact(s): Dr. J. Michael Moshell, Director (moshell@cs.ucf.edu)
Curtis Lisle, Assistant Director (lisle@ist.ucf.edu)
R. Dunn-Roberts, Visual Systems Scientist (richard@ist.ucf.edu)
Brian Scott Blau, Visual Systems Scientist (blau@ist.ucf.edu)
Jacki Morie, Visual Systems Scientist (morie@ist.ucf.edu)
Program(s):
MS / PhD Computer Science -- based on a curriculum rich in courses in
parallel computation, computer graphics, and machine vision. Research
assistantships are available for highly qualified candidates.
Specialties:
* automatic generation of terrain databases from multiple sources,
such as satellite imagery, stereo imagery, digital terrain elevations,
digital feature information, maps, etc.
* real-time dynamic geometric and physical modeling, such as
constraint based physics and dynamic terrain.
* research into advanced display technology, including video-switching
technology, head-tracking technology, and head-mounted displays.
* research into networking protocols to support simulations
distributed across heterogenous computational platforms. The
development of the Virtual Environment Real-time Network (VERN)
protocol has provided a generic platform for the development of
mass-participation distributed simulations.
Resources:
The VSL is split into four groups: Dynamic Environments Group, Virtual Environments Group, Visual Testbed Group, and Systems Group.
_Illinois, University of (USA)_
Institution(s): Electronic Visualization Lab
University of Illinois at Urbana Champain
1304 West Springfield Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Institution: Electronic Visualization Lab
University of Illinois at Chicago M/C 154
851 South Morgan, Room 1120
Chicago, Il 60607
312.996.3002
312.413.7585 fax
Contact(s):
Tom DeFanti, Electronic Visualization Laboratory, Director
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department
tom@eecs.uic.edu
Maxine Brown, Associate Directory, maxine@siggraph.org
Institution: Computer Science Dept.:
Phone: (217) 333-3527
Fax: (217) 333-3501
Contact(s): Graduate Admissions (acad@cs.uiuc.edu)
Barb Cicone, Admissions Officer (cicone@cs.uiuc.edu)
Professor Michael Faiman, Graduate Advisor (faiman@cs.uiuc.edu)
Program(s): MS, PhD and MFA degrees through the UIC Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department and the UIC School of Art and Design.
Specialties:
The Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) advances research in computer graphics and interactive techniques through its unique interdisciplinary blend of engineering, science and art.
_ Massachusets Institute of Technology (MIT)_ (USA)
Institution: Media & Robotics Lab
Contact: For additional information about the academic program contact Santina Tonelli (santa@media.mit.edu). Please include a postal mailing address in your email.
Program: The Program in Media Arts and Sciences
The Program in Media Arts and Sciences offers graduate studies leading to the Master of Science in Media Arts and Sciences, and the Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Media Arts and Sciences. Students from a wide variety of backgrounds, including electrical engineering, computer science, cognitive science, and learning sciences are encouraged to apply.
Specialties:
Interactive cinema, future television, others.
_North Carolina, University of_ (USA)
The UNC-Chapel Hill general web site (rather than the UNC Dept. of
Computer Science web site) has the listing of computer science
courses in the graduate school catalog.
That URL is: http://www.unc.edu/pubs/academ/gb/index.html
Institution: Department of Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Campus Box 3175, Sitterson Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3175
Telephone: 919-962-1700
FAX: 919-962-1799
Contact(s): Admissions and Graduate Studies (admit@cs.unc.edu)
919-962-1900
General Department Information (geninfo@cs.unc.edu)
919-962-1700
Program(s): MS / PhD in Computer Science
Specialties:
The GRAPHICS AND IMAGE LABORATORY supports research and teaching in
computer graphics, image processing, virtual environments, computer
vision, and pattern recognition.
Resources:
Specialized image-generating systems include two of UNC-CH's unique
Pixel-Planes 5 machines, scalable 3D graphics multicomputers
each containing more than 250,000 processors; two Silicon
Graphics Onyx computers with Reality Engine2 graphics; a Silicon
Graphics Power Series 460VGX computer; a Silicon Graphics Indy
workstation; several DEC 5000 graphics workstations; a larger number
of Hewlett Packard 700 series workstations; and high-precision color
monitors. Most displays can be viewed in stereo. Interaction devices
include an Argonne Robotic Manipulator, a Sarcos Telerobotic Arm, a
Phantom force display device, an optical ceiling tracking system,
Virtual Research and Kaiser head-mounted displays, head-mounted
displays that were designed and built by this department, Polhemus and
Ascension 3D tracking systems, a voice recognition system, joysticks,
mouse devices, data tablets, and other commercial and in-house-designed
manual input devices. The laboratory has extensive facilities for
recording, editing, and producing high-quality video.
_Rochester, University of_
Dept. of Computer Science
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY 14627 USA
Contact: Polly Pook
pook@cs.rochester.edu
(716)275-8479
Program: MS / PhD in Computer Science
For gradute admissions info write to the admissions secretary,
Peggy Frantz, at frantz@cs.rcochester.edu or phone 716-275-5478
Specialties:
The Univ. of Rochester is using virtual reality in human
psycho-physical studies. Our VR Lab is in the Computer Sci Dept and
is a center of inter-disciplinary work among pychologists, cognitive
scientists and computer scientists. For us computer scientists, these
studies inform computational models of vision, attention, planning,
goal interaction, manipulation, motor tasks, etc.
Resources:
The lab has a VR helmet and eye-tracking device, head and hand position
sensors (flocks), a go-cart for virtual-world driving, an EXOS dextrous
hand master, 2 VPL datagloves, an SGI and a few sparcs. There are also
two puma robot arms, a Utah/MIT robot hand and a robot "head" with
color binocular vision.
_Syracruse University_ (USA)
Institution: Virtual Reality Laboratory
Syracuse University
Contact(s):
Specialties:
We've started working in the areas of robotics, military intelligence,
information retrieval, 3D sculpting, and geographic imaging. Another
project on the drawing board is to hook the VR equipment into the
parallel machines located across campus in NPAC (the Northeast
Parallel Architectures Center) -- perhaps to the Connection Machine...
There is great potential for faculty and student involvement in
projects. For the future, I hope to work with faculty and students
intested in education, sensory research, scientific visualization, and
other areas, in addition to computer scientists, engineers, and other
more traditional participants in VR research. I am personally
interested in exploring the ergonomics of VR, and also in identifying
the issues for multi- user virtual environments.
Resources:
Right now [June 5, 1991] the lab equipment includes a DataGlove
(version 1) with a Polhemus tracker, several PowerGloves and serial
converter boxes, and some LCD shutter glasses. We're hoping to have
some VPL EyePhones soon. Located in the Advanced Graphics Research
Laboratory at SU, the VR lab makes use of Silicon Graphics IRIS
workstations, also Sun and Dec workstations. Amigas, Macs, PCs, and
so forth are all in abundant supply, in addition to connections to
campus and off- campus mainframe resources.
WASHINGTON, UNIVERSITY OF (USA)
Institution:
Human Interface Technology Lab:
University of Washington
Human Interface Technology Laboratory (HITLab) Seattle, WA 98195
PO Box 352412
Seattle, WA 98195-2412
Phone: (206) 543-5075
Fax: (206) 543-5380
Contact(s):
Program(s): MS, PhD in Engineering or Computer Science
Specialties:
Virtual Environment Operating System (VEOS); Retinal Display; Sci.virtual-worlds; Virtual Classroom; Many projects with industrial partners.
Resources:
Industrial Consortium (including Boeing, US West, Tektronix, Microsoft
and many more); Silicon Graphics Iris, Indigo; Dec Alpha; Sun 4,
Sparc; Macintosh; PCs; Division ProVision; VPL eyephones; VPL
dataglove; The Bird and Polhemus 3D tracking systems; spaceball; voice
recognition system; and more.