Building Virtual Worlds and Simulated Environments

About This Course

This module equips students with the theoretical foundations and technical skills to design and construct immersive virtual worlds, integrating the core systems of geometry, light, physics, rendering, and interaction. Emphasising a synthesis of physical realism and interactive responsiveness, the course prepares students to build visually compelling, perceptually convincing, and functionally robust virtual worlds.

Students will engage with topics including spatial modelling, coordinate transformations, lighting models, physical simulations, and real-time rendering pipelines, with practical implementation in professional XR development tools such as Unity.

The course also addresses the optimisation of performance, balancing aesthetic fidelity with technical constraints across XR platforms. Project-based work encourages students to iteratively build, test, and refine virtual environments where users can move, see, and interact fluidly.

Learning Objectives

• Apply geometry, transformations, and spatial design to construct immersive environments.
• Implement lighting and rendering pipelines for visual realism.
• Simulate physics-based interactions using Unity's real-time engine.
• Integrate responsive interaction systems and spatial audio.
• Optimise rendering, performance, and system logic across XR platforms.
• Create, present, and reflect on a fully integrated XR world in a final main project.

Study Programs

This course is mandatory for the following study programs.

• M.Sc. Advanced Digital Reality

This course is offered as an elective for the following study programs.

• MBA Digital Technologies
• MBA Digital Transformation
• M.Sc. Applied AI
• M.Sc. Cybersecurity
• M.Sc. Digital Leadership

Micro Degree

• This course is offered as a micro degree.
• German UDS Micro Degrees are compatible with the European MOOC Consortiums Common Micro Credentials Framework.
• Micro Degrees will be rewarded with an equivalent of 5 ECTS.
• Micro Degrees are offered to non-regular students and require a fee of €900.

Requirements

To prepare, we recommend refreshing your understanding of the following:

• Programming basics (especially C# and Unity scripting),
• 3D geometry and transformations,
• core concepts in computer graphics, 
• human-computer interaction.

This will help you move more confidently into the technical aspects of XR system development.

General Information

• Teaching Format:
• • Project-based learning and technical implementation in Unity
  • Pre-recorded lectures with optional live sessions and feedback workshops
  • Hands-on weekly assignments and progressive system-building
• Total Workload Master: 125h (40h/85h) / 5 ECTS
• Total Workload MBA: 100h (30h/70h) / 4 ECTS
• Total Workload Micro Degree: 125h (40h/85h) / Equivalent to 5 ECTS
• Module coordinator: Prof. Dr. Daniele Di Mitri
• Examinations: Unity-based weekly assignments, final XR main project, project pitch, and a reflective design report.
• Offered: Odd quarters