The School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts (PVFA) at Texas A&M University (TAMU) provides several ideal pathways to study AR/VR. Options include BS, MS, and MFA degrees in Visualization. A recently launched Virtual Production (VP) minor is also available.
This new VP minor features courses such as Virtual Reality; Interactive Virtual Environments; Visual Computing; Virtual Production Techniques; Applied Perception; Creating Digital Environments; Game Level Design; Virtual Cinematography and Lighting; Data Visualization; Art Direction for Virtual Production; and Digital Rendering. Students in this 18 credit hour program also have the opportunity to complete a professional internship.
Across all PVFA programs, students also benefit from project-based studios; access to dozens of programming and production courses; interdisciplinary coursework; and collaborative projects.
The Visualization BS at TAMU provides the opportunity to focus in an area of interest through electives, a minor or concentrations such as Visual Computing, Interactive Design, and Animation and Virtual Production. The Visualization MS features formal focus areas such as Virtual Reality; Augmented Reality; Interactive Design; Data Visualization; Computer Graphics; and Gaming. The MFA in Visualization provides the opportunity to specialize in areas such as Virtual/Augmented Reality; Visual Effects; Visual Storytelling; Gaming; Data Visualization; and User Experience Design.
The BS program culminates with a capstone project and portfolio. The MS has both thesis and non-thesis options. Thesis students will complete a thesis and project. Non-thesis students will complete a final project. The culminating experience for the Visualization MFA is a complete body of work that focuses on the student's area of specialization.
The College of Engineering houses the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which also has several paths to study AR/VR. Options include BS degrees in Computer Science and Computer Engineering; the BA in Computing; a Computer Science minor; and the Game Design and Development minor.
Consisting of 17 credit hours, the Computer Science minor can be added to any Visualization program. Course examples include Programming Languages; Program Design and Concepts; Discrete Structures for Computing; Data Structures and Algorithms; and Computer Organization.
Consisting of 16 credit hours, the Game Design and Development minor can be added to any program in the College of Engineering. Course examples include Interactive Virtual Environments; Computer-Human Interaction; Programming; Computer Graphics; Introduction to Program Design and Concepts; and Multimedia Design and Development.
Students in the Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Computing programs have access to dozens of courses that support education and hands-on learning in AR/VR. Examples include Virtual Reality; Game Development; Computer-Human Interaction; Program Design and Concepts; Machine Learning; Artificial Intelligence; Computers and New Media; Data Visualization; Structures of Interactive Information; Robotics and Spatial Intelligence; Computer Graphics; and Computational Data Science.
Students in all programs have access to several labs that support AR/VR studies, research, and projects. Thes include HCI@VIZ; the recently launched Texas A&M University Virtual and Augmented Reality (TAMUVR); INDIE Lab; Soft Interaction Lab; MAESTRO Lab; the TEILab; and McNamara Lab.
Housed in the School of Architecture’s Department of Visualization HCI@VIZ is a lab that conducts research in human-computer interaction (HCI), human-centered computing, and interactive systems.
TAMUVR is an organization that focuses on AR/VR development, research activities, educational opportunities, discussion, and practical experience.
The INDIE Lab (Interactive Data and Immersive Environments) engages in human-centered research of interactive visualizations. The group actively collaborates with multiple departments and faculty across the university. Research areas include Virtual Reality, 3D Interaction, Visual Analytics, Information Visualization, and Educational Games.
The Soft Interaction Lab fosters experimentation with physical and virtual experiences, organic materials, and interaction technology.
MAESTRO Lab houses the MAESTRO VR Studio—an Immersive Mechanics Visualization Lab dedicated Immersive and Intuitive Data Environments projects. Focus areas include AR/VR and 3D Displays.
The TEILab and McNamara Lab conduct computer graphics and human-computer interaction (HCI) research to advance and enhance the fields of animation, visualization, and computer graphics.
Soon, Texas A&M University will house a Virtual Production Institute (VPI). This will be the nation’s first institute of its kind to integrate real-world scenarios and the latest AR/VR/XR technology to advance problem-solving across industries. The VPI facility will support large-scale mixed-reality environments; high-performance computing; performance capture; production stages; and technology-infused classrooms. Completion of the facility is set for January 2025.
Graduates of the College of Engineering and Visualization programs are prepared to pursue advanced roles in fields such as AR/VR, game design and development, software design, programming, UI/UX development, environment modeling, HCI, entertainment, multimedia design, AI, visual effects, and robotics.
Texas A&M alumni are routinely hired by companies and studios such Lockheed Martin, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Samsung, Google, Microsoft, IBM, General Motors, Pixar, Amazon, Oracle, Texas Instruments, DreamWorks Animation, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Reel FX, and Tektronix.
Texas A&M University serves more than 71,000 students at its main campus in College Station, and 8,000 students at branch campuses in Galveston TX; Qatar (Middle East); the School of Law in Fort Worth Texas; the Higher Education Center at McAllen Texas; and Health Science Center locations across the state. This makes TAMU the largest university in the state and one the largest in the nation.
Established in 1876, Texas A&M University is also the state’s first public institution of higher learning. The school provides more than 400 degree programs across 17 colleges and schools. Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).