Background
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Students will need prior knowledge of programming, algorithms, and math. Computer graphics is one of the most mathematical courses in computer science. We need to use geometry and linear algebra to discuss how to represent geometric objects and to transform and project them. Programming projects will be done using C or C++ and OpenGL. Prior knowledge of C or C++, and experience writing and debugging programs is essential. No prior knowledge of OpenGL is assumed. |
Text
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There is no
required text. As reference for material covered in class, we will provide
notes, slides, and links to other material. Lecture
notes of Dave Mount will be particularly useful. The following
recommended books will also be useful to you, but none of these are required. Recommended:
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Course Work
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There will be about six or seven problem sets assigned during the semester. Some of these will involve paper and pencil exercises on core mathematical material in the class, and some will involve implementing graphics algorithms. Homework is due at the start of class. Problems due on Thursday will be subject to a late penalty of 10% if turned in 24 hours late. They will receive a 30% penalty if turned in by 11am the next Monday, and may not be turned in later than that. Problems due on Tuesday will receive a 10% penalty if turned in 24 hours late, and a 20% penalty if turned in by 11am on Thursday. They may not be turned in after that. This policy enables us to discuss solutions in a timely fashion.
There will be a quiz and two exams: one midterm and a comprehensive final. These will be weighted for the final grade as: homework 35%, midterm 20%, final exam 35%, quiz 10%. A hardcopy of each homework assignment should be turned in at the start of class, including printouts of all code. Grading comments will be made on these hardcopies. In addition, all code developed for programming assignments should be zipped into a single file, and mailed to the TA by the start of class. If you are unable to turn in a hardcopy on time for some reason, it is acceptable to email the full assignment to the TA on time, and turn in a hardcopy later. Homework assignments are to be written up neatly and clearly, and programming assignments must be clear and well-documented. Homeworks and exams may have special challenge problems. Points from the challenge problems are extra credit. This means that we do not consider these points until after the final course cutoffs have been set. Students participating in class discussion or asking good questions will also receive extra credit. |
Academic Honesty
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All class work is to be done independently, except as noted in the assignment. You are allowed to discuss class material, homework problems, and general solution strategies with your classmates. When it comes to formulating/writing/programming solutions you must work alone. If you make use of other sources in coming up with your answers you must cite these sources clearly (papers or books in the literature, friends or classmates, information downloaded from the web, whatever). It is best to try to solve problems on your own, since problem solving is an important component of the course. But I will not deduct points if you make use of outside help, provided that you cite your sources clearly. Representing other people's work as your own, however, is plagiarism and is in violation of university policies. Instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with harshly, and usually result in a hearing in front of a student honor council, and a grade of XF. (Note, this and other course policies are taken from those of Prof. David Mount). |
Absences
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We will follow the college policy on absences, which is: Students claiming an excused absence must apply in writing and furnish documentary support (such as from a health care professional who treated the student) for any assertion that the absence qualifies as an excused absence. The support should explicitly indicate the dates or times the student was incapacitated due to illness. Self-documentation of illness is not itself sufficient support to excuse the absence. An instructor is not under obligation to offer a substitute assignment or to give a student a make-up assessment unless the failure to perform was due to an excused absence. An excused absence for an individual typically does not translate into an extension for team deliverables on a project. |
Academic Accommodations
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Any student eligible for and requesting reasonable academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide, to the instructor in office hours, a letter of accommodation from the Office of Disability Support Services within the first two weeks of the semester. |