VR in studies: University of Weimar equips first-year students with Meta Quest 3
Computer science students get VR glasses at the start of their studies in Weimar. The aim is to gain more experience in dealing with immersive technologies.
Meta Quest 3 will help computer science students in Weimar to acquire basic knowledge about XR systems in a practical way.
(Image: Meta)
From the start of the winter semester 2025/26, all first-semester students in the Bachelor of Computer Science at the Faculty of Media at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar will receive their Meta Quest 3 – regardless of whether they are working in labs or experimenting at home.
Encouraging the joy of experimentation
The campaign is entitled “VR Ready for You” and is intended not only to facilitate access to immersive technology, but also to promote the integration of virtual reality into everyday study practice. According to Prof. Dr. Bernd Fröhlich, Head of the Chair of Virtual Reality and Visualization, the aim is to familiarize students with the latest technology from day one: “Virtual reality is not a vision of the future for us, but a living reality during their studies.”
The Meta Quest 3 is currently one of the most powerful VR glasses in the mid-price segment and can be used independently. No powerful computer is required for operation; instead, the goggles work with Qualcomm's XR2 Gen2 chip. The significantly improved resolution compared to the previous model and pass-through cameras with depth sensor also enable mixed reality – digital content is superimposed on the real environment in color in real time. The price for a Meta Quest 3 is 550 euros.
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Applications for the winter semester are open
By equipping its VR hardware, the course aims to interlink theory and application consistently. According to Fröhlich, the aim is to promote independence and creativity. The Quest 3 is to be used for courses, group work and individual projects.
Students can use the hardware freely and implement their ideas. A VR club is also being planned, in which students will learn the basics of extended reality systems and supervise their projects.
The Bachelor's degree course in Computer Science at the Faculty of Media combines traditional computer science teaching with topics such as IT security, artificial intelligence, data science and visual computing. Practical modules include VR games with AI-controlled avatars and secure communication systems. The range of elective modules allows for further specialization, even across faculties. Applications for the winter semester are now open.
(joe)
