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No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2015

ITC315 Physics Engine Development (8)

Abstract

This subject presents an introduction to physical systems and their motion from the perspective of the design and use of a game physics engine. Topics covered include the application of Newton's laws to particles, to interacting particle systems, to rigid bodies and to collisions between rigid bodies. You will study how these systems are modelled and how a game physics engine is designed for solving the equations of motion for these systems. You will write application programs that use a game physics engine to simulate the motion of physical systems.

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Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details prior to contacting their course coordinator: ITC315
Where differences exist between the handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Computing and Mathematics

Assumed Knowledge

Background knowledge similar to MTH219 and ITC226 and ITC363

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to explain how the motion of a physical system is represented;
  • be able to evaluate techniques for modelling the motion of physical systems and to select and use appropriate techniques for specific cases;
  • be able to compare and apply appropriate computational techniques for solving the equations of motion of physical systems;
  • be able to analyse and explain the design of a game physics engine;
  • be able to design and implement application programs that use a game physics engine to simulate the motion of physical systems.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • The major concepts and components of a physics engine.
  • Review of vector operations and calculus.
  • Newton's laws applied to particles and using a particle physics engine.
  • Interacting particle systems and computational solution of the equations of motion with varying forces.
  • Rigid bodies and the laws of motion for rigid bodies, and the mathematics of rotations.
  • Collision detection approaches.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.