CS 277 st Stanford

The course code “SWE277P” appears to be a specific offering or variant of Stanford’s CS 277 (“Experimental Haptics”), where “SWE” likely stands for “Symbolic Systems Program” (a Stanford interdisciplinary program combining computer science, psychology, and engineering) and “P” indicates a pilot or special section. CS 277 at Stanford is an advanced graduate/undergraduate course focused on haptics—the technology behind touch feedback in virtual reality (VR), robotics, and human-computer interfaces. It covers theoretical topics like haptic rendering, simulation of rigid/deformable objects, psychophysics of touch, and practical implementation using libraries like CHAI3D for collision detection and deformable body simulation. Prerequisites typically include C++ experience and familiarity with graphics or robotics courses (e.g., CS 148 or ME 223A).

UCLA’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering (which includes Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering departments) does not have a direct one-to-one equivalent to this specialized haptics course. Haptics is a niche interdisciplinary field, and while UCLA has strong programs in robotics, VR/AR, and human-machine interfaces, no single course mirrors CS 277’s blend of theory, psychophysics, and hands-on haptic device programming. However, based on topic overlap, the closest equivalent is **EE 239AS: ASICs and FPGA Design for Machine Learning and AI Applications** (offered in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department), which touches on haptic-like interfaces through AI-driven sensory feedback systems. For a broader match, students often take a combination of courses or pursue haptics through research labs.

### Closest UCLA Engineering Equivalent

– **EE 239AS: ASICs and FPGA Design for Machine Learning and AI Applications** (4 units, graduate-level, offered Winter quarter)

  – **Why it’s similar**: This course explores hardware design for AI/ML applications, including sensory interfaces and real-time feedback systems that align with haptics’ focus on touch simulation in VR/AR and robotics. It covers FPGA prototyping for low-latency interactions (e.g., force feedback), collision detection algorithms, and integration with deformable object modeling—key applied topics in Stanford’s CS 277. While not exclusively haptics-focused, it provides practical skills in building touch-enabled devices using tools like Verilog/VHDL, similar to CHAI3D implementations in CS 277.

  – **Prerequisites**: EE M216A (Introduction to Digital Design) or equivalent; familiarity with C/C++ or Python.

  – **Key topics**: Hardware acceleration for AI, real-time sensory processing, interface design for immersive systems.

  – **Note**: If you’re an undergrad, petition for enrollment as it’s primarily for graduates. For a more introductory angle, pair it with EE 113 (Digital Signal Processing) for signal handling in touch feedback.

### Alternative Options at UCLA for Haptics-Like Topics

If EE 239AS doesn’t fit your level or schedule, consider these related courses in UCLA Engineering (all in Computer Science or Electrical & Computer Engineering):

– **CS 285: Robot Teamwork** (4 units, graduate): Covers multi-agent systems and human-robot interaction, including haptic feedback for collaborative VR environments. Overlaps with CS 277’s simulation of interactions.

– **CS M179/M269: Computational Models of Neural Systems** (4 units, upper-division/graduate): Focuses on psychophysics and sensory modeling, directly paralleling CS 277’s touch perception topics.

– **EE 236B: Digital Speech Processing** (4 units, graduate): Includes tactile signal processing for interfaces, useful for haptic audio-touch integration.

### Recommendations

– **For hands-on haptics**: Join UCLA’s Bionics Lab (in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering), which researches haptics in medical robotics, VR rehabilitation, and brain-machine interfaces. They often involve undergrad/grad students in projects similar to CS 277’s final open-ended haptic application.

– **Check availability**: Use UCLA’s Course Descriptions or Registrar’s site for the latest offerings (as of September 2025). Transfer credit or equivalence can be evaluated via the Engineering Undergraduate Office if you’ve taken CS 277.

– **Online supplement**: Stanford offers a free intro haptics course on edX (“Introduction to Haptics”) using their Hapkit device, which covers basics before diving into UCLA equivalents.

If this isn’t the course you meant (e.g., if “SWE277P” refers to something else like a software engineering project), provide more details for a refined search!

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