Module Directory

This module covers the fundamentals of simulating physical systems and teaches how to use physics engines to simulate a wide range of physical interactions. The course also covers many examples of implementing physics-based games, and students learn to do this both by using physics engines, and by implementing physics directly for simpler examples.

The module teaches the necessary mathematics, algorithms and data structures used in modelling and building efficient simulations of physical systems. The mathematics is covered in an accessible hands-on way and supported with many illustrative examples and accompanying graphical computer simulations where appropriate.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with a solid knowledge of writing physics-based games by briefly covering the underlying physics modules and mathematical equations, showing how these can be translated into code in a high-level language, or simulated using a physics-engine.


• To enable students to develop an understanding of key concepts through the creation and implementation of physics-based games on both a small, and larger scale.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Model physical systems using a mathematical approach.


2. Implement simulations of simple physical systems in a high-level language.


3. Implement simulations of complex physical systems in 2D or 3D using an appropriate engine.


4. Design and implement a physics-based game.

Indicative Syllabus

• A refresher on vectors and matrices as used in the course


• A refresher on physics principles such as velocity, acceleration, collisions, forces, gravity, elasticity.


• Modelling physical systems: the difference equations through numerical integration: rigid bodies, connected bodies.


• Writing software to directly implement simple simulations in a high-level language


• Collision detection and collision reaction


• Spring-Mass models, Rag-Doll Physics,


• Architecture of a physics engine, 2D and 3D engines


• Implementing simulations using a physics engine


• Example simulations ranging from simple to complex: cart-pole systems, 2D physics games, car racing, aeroplane flight, snooker.


• Game Case Studies


• Physics Game Design


• Physics Game Implementation

The course will be taught via lectures and extensive laboratory exercises, using Java as the main programming language, and will include the use of open-source physics simulators such as JBullet and JBox2D. Note students should either be strong programmers or have some previous Java programming experience to take this module.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour lecture per week
• One 2-hour practical (lab / in-class test) per week
• Several Moodle-based exercises per week (3 hours per week)
• Main assignment to create a physics based game (40 hours)

Students are expected to finish off their weekly lab work as self study (taking up to 3 hours per week)