Cyber Systems Design and Dynamics
Cyber Systems Design & Dynamics is a cutting-edge degree program that combines the technology of digital design, human-computer interaction, virtual and augmented reality, data science and intelligent computing systems architecture.
These immersive technologies blur the line between the physical world and a simulated or virtual environment known as extended reality. Immersive technology systems design is vital to the future because of its potential to revolutionize how we experience the world around us and collaborate with others through our interactions with technology. This technology will influence most industries and professionals in areas such as aerospace, education, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and entertainment as they revolutionize how tasks and jobs are performed. Robust, simulated environments will allow individuals to gain practical experience in a safe and controlled setting, leading to improved skills and decision-making abilities. In addition, the user experience through virtual and augmented reality will be more engaging and realistic through intuitive interactions such as natural gestures, voice commands and spatial interactions. These advancements in immersive system design will allow for improvement in global teams and remote work to feel physically present while collaborating.
Why Our Program?
This degree program provides students with the skills needed to craft mesmerizing 3D virtual worlds, bring together the digital and physical worlds seamlessly with cyber-physical systems and build immersive apps and design systems that use data to predict the future.
Hands-on projects and experiental learning are at the center of the curriculum, bridging theory with practical application. Students dive into creating real-world scenarios through collaborative experiences with Pure Imagination Studios.
This partnership allows K-State students in the CSDD program to exclusively work alongside Pure Imagination employees and together, they embark on creating original works in the realms of gaming, media, and interactive experiences, turning imagination into reality.
About Pure Imagination Studios
Pure Imagination Studios is an award-winning independent entertainment studio best known for combining proprietary technology with groundbreaking storytelling. The studio, which develops original content and whose work-for-hire clients include DreamWorks, FOX, The LEGO Group, Marvel Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Netflix.
Pure Imagination Studios will be co-located on campus and just steps away from the classroom.
Cyber Classroom Kit
Whether you are engaging in coursework from on campus, in a coffee shop or at home, your cyber classroom kit will provide you the technology you need to learn and interact with your professor and classmates in our virtual classroom. Upon enrollment, students receive their own Cyber Classroom Kit which contains tools and technology, and a Meta Quest 3 device, needed to be ready for the first day of virtual class.
Throughout the program, students will engage in coursework covering various aspects such as software design and development, machine learning, data engineering, 3D modeling, UX/UI design, narrative creation, and the psychological aspects of immersive technology.
The degree program offers high-flexibility and stackable credentials, with two specialization options:
- Immersive Systems Design
- Machine Learning and Autonomous Systems
Immersive Systems pathway:
This path will prepare students to tell a story and build it from the beginning by understanding narrative and human interaction. Students will take their ideas and use industry standard tools such as Unreal Engine to build games, applications, simulation systems, and other user experiences.
Machine Learning pathway:
This pathway is for students who are interested in artificial intelligence, data science and machine learning. Students will learn various machine learning algorithms and explore different machine learning frameworks such as deep learning, natural language processing and computer vision, and when to implement them.
Upon graduation, students acquire skills applicable to diverse industries, including aerospace, entertainment, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. This degree is an excellent investment for individuals aiming to excel in our increasingly technological world, especially for those who are tech-savvy and creative, seeking to redefine how people interact with digital environments.
Types of Careers
- Lead Gameplay Engineer
- Animator/Director
- Unreal VFX Artist
- 3D Effects Artist
- Game Engine Programmer
- XR Designer
- Immersive Content Creator
- UX Designer
- Machine Learner Engineer
- Autonomous Systems Developer
- AI Product Manager
- Computer Vision Engineer
- Augmented reality (AR)- overlays digital information or virtual elements onto the physical elements. AR enhances the user's perception of the physical world by adding computer-generated content, such as images, videos, or 3D models, to the user's view.
- Virtual reality (VR) – completely immersive, computer-generated environment that users can interact with. VR typically involves wearing a headset that covers the user's eyes and ears, blocking out the real world and replacing it with a simulated digital environment.
- Mixed reality (MR) - MR combines elements of the real world with virtual elements, allowing users to interact with both simultaneously. Unlike AR, which overlays digital content on the real world, MR integrates digital content into the real world in a way that the two can interact seamlessly.
- Extended reality (XR) - a broad term that encompasses all immersive technologies, including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality. XR is often used as a more inclusive term that represents the entire spectrum of experiences, ranging from fully immersive virtual environments to augmented experiences that enhance the real world. It's a term that acknowledges the continuum between the physical and digital worlds.
- Immersive technology - Immersive technology refers to technology that blurs the line between the physical world and a simulated or virtual environment, creating a sense of immersion or presence for the user. This type of technology is designed to deeply engage the user's senses, typically through visual, auditory, and sometimes haptic (touch) feedback, to create a more realistic and captivating experience. Immersive technology finds applications in various fields, including gaming, education, healthcare, training, and entertainment, offering users a more engaging and interactive experience compared to traditional forms of media and interaction.
- Intelligent computing systems - Intelligent computing systems refer to systems that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These systems leverage various computational techniques to mimic or simulate human cognitive functions, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making.
- Human computer interaction - refers to the design, implementation, and use of computer systems and technologies, with a focus on the interaction between humans and computers. It is a multidisciplinary field that involves aspects of computer science, design, psychology, cognitive science, and other related disciplines. The goal of HCI is to create effective, efficient, and enjoyable interactions between users and computer systems.
- Metaverse - a virtual reality space that combines aspects of social interaction, online gaming, augmented reality, and the internet. It is essentially a collective virtual shared space that is created by the convergence of physical and virtual reality. In the metaverse, users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users in real-time.
- Cyber Systems - Cyber systems refer to integrated combinations of hardware, software, networks, data, and human elements that work together to perform various functions in the digital domain. These systems are designed to process, store, transmit, and manage information using computer technology. Cyber systems are pervasive in modern society and play a crucial role in fields such as communication, finance, healthcare, transportation, defense, and many others.
- Spatial Computing - Spatial computing refers to technology that understands and interacts with the physical world around us in a way that mirrors how humans perceive and understand space. It involves using computer systems to interpret and respond to the three-dimensional environment. It's similar to giving computers the ability to understand and work with the space and objects in the real world, similar to how we humans naturally do. This can involve technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), where computers use information about the physical world to enhance or create a digital experience.
- Artificial Intelligence - Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the capability of machines to imitate intelligent human behavior. It involves the development of computer systems or software that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include problem-solving, learning from experience, understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and adapting to new situations. AI is a broad field that encompasses various approaches, such as machine learning, where systems can improve their performance on a task over time without being explicitly programmed, and deep learning, which involves neural networks with many interconnected layers to analyze and process data.
- Unreal engine - Unreal Engine is a powerful and widely used game development engine created by Epic Games. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for game developers to design, build, and deploy games across various platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and virtual reality systems. Unreal Engine is known for its high-quality graphics, realistic physics, and robust development environment.