Unreal Engine: Pathways to Mastery Series
Phase 1 — Foundations Unleashed!
The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Unreal Engine
Contact Us!
Program Facilitator
Ben Blau
Assistant Professor of Practice
Advisor
Authorized Unreal Instructor
248.204.2060
PROGRAM COST
$2,995
ALUMNI, FACULTY, AND STAFF PAY:
$2,695
About Unreal Engine 5
Unreal Engine (UE) is one of the world's most advanced 3D development platforms. Initially designed for video games, it now spans numerous industries including architecture, simulation, virtual production, automotive engineering, aviation, medicine, feature films, television/streaming, and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) applications.
Course Overview
Join our 12-week comprehensive professional development course to begin your journey in mastering Unreal Engine 5. This course is tailored for beginners and covers everything from setting up your first project to creating immersive environments, characters, and interactions.
Who Should Enroll?
- Game Developers: Enhance your skills in creating interactive and immersive gaming experiences.
- Virtual Production Artists: Learn to create real-time virtual sets and environments for film and TV.
- Architectural Visualizers: Develop stunning architectural visualizations and walkthroughs.
- Engineers and Designers: Utilize Unreal Engine for simulations, product designs, and interactive presentations.
- Educators and Trainers: Create interactive educational tools and training modules.
- Marketing and Advertising Professionals: Develop engaging and interactive marketing campaigns.
- Hobbyists and Enthusiasts: Dive into the world of 3D development and bring your creative visions to life.
Why Choose This Course?
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Designed specifically for beginners.
- Hands-On Projects: Work on real-world applications.
- Industry-Standard Tools: Gain access to professional tools and resources.
- Expert Support: Receive personalized feedback and guidance from experienced instructors.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and industry professionals.
Career Opportunities and Salary Ranges
Unreal Engine skills can lead to various exciting career paths:
- Game Designer: Design and develop game mechanics and interactive experiences. (Salary Range: $50,000 - $120,000 annually)
- 3D Modeler: Create detailed 3D models for games, movies, and simulations. (Salary Range: $45,000 - $100,000 annually)
- Virtual Production Artist: Work on virtual sets and real-time visual effects for films and TV. (Salary Range: $60,000 - $130,000 annually)
- Architectural Visualization Specialist: Develop photorealistic architectural renderings and animations. (Salary Range: $50,000 - $110,000 annually)
- Simulation Engineer: Create and test simulations for various engineering applications. (Salary Range: $65,000 - $120,000 annually)
- Media Designer: Design interactive marketing, education, and training media. (Salary Range: $55,000 - $105,000 annually)
(Sources: Built In and PayScale)
Embark on a new career path with the skills you'll gain in this Unreal Engine 5 course. Whether you're aiming to break into a new field or advance your current career, our course provides the tools and knowledge to help you succeed.
Enrollment
2025 Session Dates - Friday, January 10 to Tuesday, April 8
Weekly Cadence of 3 Sessions:
| Course Content for Self-Learning (Available Online): Every Friday at 9 AM | Course Practice Session: Every Sunday 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Live with an Instructor* | Course Learning Session: Every Tuesday 7 PM - 9 PM Live with an Instructor* |
*Recorded for future reference
All Eastern Times (ET)
Course Content Overview
Explore the history and impact of Unreal Engine, get acquainted with the Unreal Editor, and understand its essential tools.
Learn to set up a new project, configure project templates, and start your development journey.
Understand level design principles and create a level with geometry, textures, and lighting.
Master Unreal Engine's visual scripting system to create complex gameplay mechanics without coding.
Create and apply materials, explore material properties, and use advanced techniques for special effects.
Discover animation types, create animations, and use Animation Blueprints to control character movements.
Integrate sound into your projects, trigger sound effects, and control audio with Blueprints.
Design user interfaces, handle player input, and create interactions with objects in the game world.
Profile and optimize your projects to ensure smooth gameplay and high performance.
Import character models, create character Blueprints, and add abilities to your characters.
Create AI controllers, set up behavior trees, and implement perception systems for dynamic NPCs.
Learn techniques for building expansive and immersive open worlds using landscape creation, world composition, and level streaming.
Implement comprehensive audio and visual effects systems in your projects. Enhance user experiences with practical step-by-step tutorials.
Explore virtual filmmaking using Unreal Engine. Understand tools like the Sequencer and techniques for creating engaging virtual films.
Explore advanced virtual production techniques. Focus on integrating live footage with virtual environments and utilizing chroma-key and camera tracking.
Learn about the Movie Render Queue for rendering high-quality videos. Understand settings and techniques for optimal video output.
Review course highlights and explore resources for continuous Unreal Engine learning. Gain the confidence to expand your skills beyond the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Unreal Engine: Pathways to Mastery Series is a comprehensive professional development course designed to transform beginners into proficient users of Unreal Engine 5. It is ideal for individuals looking to build foundational skills in game development, virtual production, architectural visualization, and more.
This course is perfect for:
- Game Developers looking to enhance their skills in creating immersive gaming experiences.
- Virtual Production Artists aiming to create real-time virtual sets and environments.
- Architectural Visualizers who want to create stunning visualizations and walkthroughs.
- Engineers and Designers utilizing Unreal Engine for simulations and interactive presentations.
- Educators and Trainers developing interactive educational tools and modules.
- Marketing and Advertising Professionals interested in creating engaging interactive content.
You will learn:
- The basics of Unreal Engine and its interface.
- How to set up and manage projects.
- Level design, including geometry, texturing, and lighting.
- Creating and applying materials.
- Animation techniques and controlling character movements.
- Integrating and controlling sound.
- User interface design and interaction.
- Optimization and performance enhancement techniques.
- Customizing characters and adding abilities.
- Building AI NPCs and creating open worlds.
- Techniques for virtual filmmaking and high-quality rendering.
This course is designed for beginners. No prior experience with Unreal Engine is required, although basic computer skills and familiarity with 3D concepts can be helpful.
We will meet synchronously twice a week for two hours both days, using an online meeting modality (i.e., ZOOM).
The course spans 12 weeks, with weekly modules covering different Unreal Engine development aspects.
The course is taught by Ben Blau, an Unreal Authorized Instructor Partner for Epic Games. Ben brings years of experience in game development and higher education to provide comprehensive and engaging instruction.
You will receive personalized feedback and support from the instructor. Additionally, you will have access to a community of peers for networking and collaboration and extensive resources and materials to aid your learning.
To enroll, visit: zo23.com/register/fa24unrealmasteryseries. For more information, email us at prodev@zo23.com.