CSc 4820/6820

Computer Graphics Algorithms


COURSE SYLLABUS

FALL, 2008
INSTRUCTOR: Ying Zhu

 

 


CLASS HOURS:         Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:00pm – 2:40pm

                                    Aderhold Learning Center 330

 

OFFICE:                      34 Peachtree Street (One Park Tower) #1441

OFFICE HOURS:       to be announced

OFFICE PHONE:       (404) 413-5713

EMAIL ADDRESS:     yzhu (at) cs.gsu.edu

WEB PAGE:                http://www.cs.gsu.edu/~cscyiz

 

 


(Last updated on May 15, 2008)

 

The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.

DESCRIPTION

This class introduces fundamental concepts of computer graphics with an emphasis on interactive real-time graphics algorithms that are used in developing 3D games and simulations. Topics in areas of modeling, rendering, and animation will be covered. The focus is on teaching how to write graphics programs using the OpenGL library. Basic C programming is required for this course.

 

I teach another 3D graphics course in the Spring – CSc4840/6840 “Computer Graphics Imaging”, which is quite different from this course (CSc4820/6820). The focus of the “Computer Graphics Imaging” course is on modeling and animation using Blender – a free open source 3D content creation suite.

COURSE OBJECTIVES                                                                                                             

By the end of the semester students are expected to have a general understanding of the following:

  1. The fundamentals of 3D graphics pipeline
  2. 3D transformation, camera manipulation, lighting, texture mapping, frame buffer operations, etc.
  3. The basics of Graphics Processing Unit, shaders and shader programming
  4. The fundamentals of 3D modeling and animation.
  5. The current state of the art in computer graphics and expected near term advances.

 

In the end, students will be able to develop relatively sophisticated 3D graphics programs.

PREREQUISITES

  • CSc 2311 (Principles of Computer Programming II), or CSc 3320 (System-Level Programming), or equivalent C programming experience. 
  • Math 3030 (Mathematical Models for Computer Science)

TEXT AND REFERENCES

(The 5th edition of this book is also fine.)

  • References (Optional):
  • Various online resources will be used to supplement the aforementioned teaching materials. I will try to integrate the latest information as the course progresses.

 

TENTATIVE COURSE TOPICS

The covered topics will include, but not limited to, the following:

·        3D graphics applications

·        3D graphics pipeline

·        2D and 3D transformations

·        Viewing and projection

·        Color theory

·        Lighting and shading

·        Anti-aliasing

·        Transparency and fog

·        Texture mapping

·        Rasterization

·        Graphics Processing Unit and Programmable shaders

·        Polygonal mesh modeling

·        Subdivision surfaces,

·        Parametric curves, surfaces, and other modeling techniques

·        Animation

·        Ray tracing

·        Radiosity

·        Graphics hardware, graphics systems, virtual environments, and augmented environments

 

The above topics are tentative and may change as the course progresses.

 

GRADING PLAN

 

(This is a tentative grading plan and may be updated before the class begins.)

 

For CSc 4820 students:

  • Mid-term exam: 20%
  • Homework assignments: 25%
  • Projects: 50%
  • Class participation 5%

 

For CSc 6820 students:

  • Homework assignments: 15%
  • Projects: 50%
  • Graduate student project 30%
  • Class participation 5%

 

The grading scale is as follows:

  • A: 90+
  • B: 80 - 89
  • C: 70 - 79
  • D: 60 – 69
  • F: < 60

 

Each student's letter grade for the course will depend directly on the numerical scores earned on the projects and exams.

Make-up exams are given at the discretion of the instructor. Students who are unable to take an exam for a valid reason should notify the instructor before the exam time.

WITHDRAWAL

 

October 1 is the last day to withdraw and possibly receive a “W”.

 

LECTURE NOTES

All lecture notes will be posted online before each class.

PROJECTS & ASSIGNMENTS

 

There will be four programming projects and five homework assignments. CSc 6820 students need to complete an extra project. Details about the assignments and projects will be posted on the course web site.

 

Assignments and projects are due on the assigned date. Late submissions may result in reduction of grades. Students should keep copies of their projects and assignments until after they receive their grades.

 

TEACHING ASSISTANT

 

To be announced.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Attendance to all lectures is highly recommended.  If you miss a class, you still are responsible for the material covered that day, including project or homework assignments and changes in schedules.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS 

 

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Disability Services and obtain a formal letter from that office authorizing special handling of the student.  They should then schedule an appointment with the instructor to make appropriate arrangements.  

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE  

 

Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class and/or exam should notify the instructor in advance and discuss acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence.

UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACADEMIC HONESTY

 

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the University's policy on academic honesty, which is located in section 409 of the faculty handbook.