Emerging Tech@IU

At IU, you’ll find classes that use new and emerging technologies to turn the way you play into the way you get paid. Check out the dropdown menus below each technology to see examples of real classes that are currently available at IU or have been available in the past.*

*Some classes may no longer be available and/or may only be available on some campuses. This is not a complete listing of emerging tech courses.

XR

Extended reality (XR) is technology that creates simulated environments or adds digital content to the actual world, like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR). Check out how XR has been used in some real IU courses:

  • Studying VR’s use in medicine, education, military training, and artificial intelligence
  • Using VR technology to understand narration and representation in ancient Greece and Rome
  • Using XR as part of short stories and filmmaking, museum exhibits, and art installations
  • Serving the real estate and tourism industries with XR technology
  • Incorporating XR in forensic science to study crime scene evidence

  • INFO-I 304 Introduction to Virtual Reality (IUB) Virtual Reality has applications in fields as diverse as medicine, education, military training, trauma recovery, and artificial intelligence. In this course, students will learn the foundational skills needed to build virtual reality applications. We will focus on software programs for building virtual assets and realistic virtual environments.
  • INFO-I 442 Creating Virtual Assets (IUB) This course will explore advanced techniques for creating virtual assets for virtual reality applications.  Topics include 3D modeling, animation, motion capture, sound capture and editing, materials, textures, shaders, and scripting.  Students will learn how to export assets to virtual reality, augmented reality, video, still images, and 3D printed objects.
  • INFO-I 444 Artificial Life in Virtual Reality (IUB) This course will explore one powerful application of virtual reality: the study of life, evolution, and artificial intelligence.  Students will learn the basic building blocks of biological intelligence, how to build virtual worlds for assessing artificial intelligence, and how to populate virtual worlds with intelligent and autonomous artificial agents.
  • NEWM-N 339 Augmented Reality Design and Development (IUI) This course covers the design and development of computer games and simulations for augmented and virtual reality. To supplement and simulate the physical world, students learn methods for integrating 3D objects and animations into interactive mobile applications. They also propose new, disruptive applications in entertainment, education, and other industries.
  • NEWM-N 437 Science Fiction in Virtual Reality (IUI) This course covers advanced techniques in research, concept design, modeling, unwrapping, and texturing using the physically based rendering (PBR) pipeline to place science fiction characters, vehicles, and environments into virtual reality. Pre-production and production pipeline theories and practices are implemented to allow students to gain experience creating assets and animation for virtual reality using a game engine.
  • CLAS A418 / HER H418 Myth and Reality in Classical Art (IUI) Introduction to Classical iconography (the study of images) that explores approaches to narration and representation in Ancient Greece and Rome, specifically in relation to ancient society. What can ancient art tell us about the role of story-telling in ancient life? How did visual art serve as a means of powerful communication across cultures and centuries? How can emerging visual technology (Virtual Reality) help us better understand the ancient world?"
  • CLAS C205 Classical Mythology (IUI) Introduction to Classical Mythology, the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome. Learn about these important societies through the lens of the stories they told about themselves. Explore how emerging technologies (Virtual Reality, 3D printing) can help us better understand the ancient world.

3D Printing

From architecture to medicine, product design to science, 3D printing has applications in all kinds of industries. Here’s some ways you could experience 3D printing at IU:

  • Creating objects and characters using 3D modeling and problem solving
  • Developing digital fabrication and computer skills
  • Using 3D models to understand the ancient world and classical mythology
  • Creating sculptures, art installations, and media with 3D technology
  • Working with 3D models to understand design and architecture

  • INFO-I 442 Creating Virtual Assets (IUB) This course will explore advanced techniques for creating virtual assets for virtual reality applications.  Topics include 3D modeling, animation, motion capture, sound capture and editing, materials, textures, shaders, and scripting.  Students will learn how to export assets to virtual reality, augmented reality, video, still images, and 3D printed objects.
  • NEWM-N 449 3D Prototyping for Visualization and Abstraction (IUI) This course incorporates advanced modeling, sculpting, articulation, and printing of 3D printed objects from computer-generated images for both visualization and abstraction. It also includes strategies for the collection, evaluation, and editing of various datasets, and the creation of manipulatives that represent both the abstract and the informative.
  • CLAS C205 Classical Mythology (IUI) Introduction to Classical Mythology, the myths of Ancient Greece and Rome. Learn about these important societies through the lens of the stories they told about themselves. Explore how emerging technologies (Virtual Reality, 3D printing) can help us better understand the ancient world.
  • INMS-N 201 Digital 3D Art and Design 1 (IUSB) Exploration of digital three dimensional (3D) design. Students work with current basic 3D modeling techniques as well as mesh generated models. Students explore personal object and/or 3D character creation while solving assigned problems.

Video games

Someone had to create those games you play on your gaming system, computer, or phone—you can too!

If you find yourself on the IUB campus, you have the opportunity to join a globally unique and successful Game Design program with a complete BSc program. Students graduate with a published game, and have founded and managed their own LLC corporations. On graduation day, students are actually independent game developers with their own companies. No other university in the world offers this. 

However, on numerous campuses, IU has classes to help you learn how to:

  • Study game design psychology and how it’s used to develop games
  • Learn about game testing and evaluation to enhance gameplay outcomes
  • Create educational, artistic, or leisure games
  • Discover the structure, methods, and tools used in the gaming industry

  • CSCI-C 292 Introduction to Game Programming (IUB) This course explores the world of game development with a focus on programming for games. It provides an introduction to game programming using a state-of-the-art language (e.g., C#) in a game engine (e.g., Unity).
  • MSCH-C 200 The Videogame Industry: Systems and Management (IUB) Examines what games are and how they are made. Topics include the games industry: its creative dimensions and economic structures; its history and future; the organization of game development teams; the methods and tools used in game production. Students will gain a deeper and more detailed appreciation for this rapidly evolving, fascinating, and sometimes baffling industry.
  • MSCH-C 220 Game Technology (IUB) – This course provides a survey of current technologies for creating games. These tools are also appropriate for projects in virtual and augmented reality and interactive journalism. Students acquire competency in several game engines demonstrated by the creation of several digital game prototypes using recently released tools.
  • MSCH-G 310 Game Production 1 (IUB) - Students will learn how to make digital game prototypes gaining hands-on experience while working in teams and using game engines such as Unity and Unreal. Students will develop sound teamwork practices such as appropriate and timely communication, version control, and leadership; employ production methods such as agile and waterfall; and develop essential playtesting methods.
  • MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound (IUB) - A general introduction to concepts, techniques, and tools for creating audio, visual, and narrative assets used in computer games and digitally mediated environments, including sound editing and synthesis, frame-based and procedural animation, and non-linear story writing. Students will create original sounds, write and edit computer code, and author multiform narratives while studying their roles in emerging and complex systems.
  • NEWM-N 132 Game Design Psychology: Theory and Prototyping (IUI) This course explores the application of cognitive psychology and theories of learning and motivation to the design and prototyping of games. Students learn how to create games that are fun to play, and evaluate and improve games that may not be based on psychological concepts, theories, and findings.
  • NEWM-N 331 Game Testing and Evaluation (IUI) Students evaluate game quality and usability throughout the development cycle. Topics include sampling and recruiting play testers as well as identifying and adjusting factors to enhance gameplay outcomes, such as playability and enjoyment.
  • INMS-N 212 Interactive Game Design 1 (IUSB) Introduces fundamental principles of video game production using current introductory software.
  • CSCI-B 583 Game Programming and Design (IUSB) Programming techniques and data structures for game implementation, elements of game design, current trends in the game industry, game theory, social aspects, and elements of artificial intelligence in games.

Tech Resources

Software

Everyone with an IU email address has access to IUware and IUanyWare, where you can download software or stream it directly to your device. Additionally, lots of creative and STEAM software is available to students at IU*:

  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Stock and more!)
  • Autocad
  • Blender
  • Godot
  • ChemOffice Professional suite
  • CrystalMaker
  • Face Capture
  • FMOD
  • Fusion360
  • Maple
  • Matlab
  • Maya
  • Mocap Studio
  • Motion
  • Substance 3D (Adobe)
  • Unity
  • Unreal Engine
  • Wwise
  • Zbrush

*Some of this software is available only to students enrolled in specific courses that use it.

Tech spaces

No matter what campus you’re on, there is most likely a creative and hands-on space where you can explore some new and emerging technologies. Here are some examples of what’s available to you as a student at IU:

Tech resources and information

Suggestions and questions?

Do you see courses missing from these lists or do you have questions about this information? Email UITS Student Outreach at  it4u@iu.edu