Computer Science 324E
Elements of Graphics and Visualization
Spring 2007 
Unique ID 54920
Class Web Page: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/fussell/cs324e

Material:
This is a hands-on class in computer graphics programming.  We will
concentrate on teaching the principles of three dimensional computer
graphics, and we will explore these principles through a number of
programming assignments in Java using the Java 2D and Java 3D APIs.
We will also do some projects involving ray tracers and other 3D APIs.

Professor: Don Fussell
fussell@cs.utexas.edu
Office hours: TBD

Teaching Assistant: TBD
Office hours: TBD

Lecture: MW 2:00-3:30
PAI 3.14

Lab: Painter 5.38
You will need a CS Elements account to use the lab; see the course
Web page. 

Required Textbook: Computer Graphics using Java 2D and 3D,
H. Zhang and Y Liang, Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0-13-0351180-0
You will probably also want to own a reference book for Java. Your textbook 
from CS303E should be fine. 

Required Background:
This is not an introductory programming course. You are expected to be able 
to write simple Java programs. No background in computer graphics is required. 

Format: 
There will be frequent programming assignments and two tests. 

Some of the programming projects will be open ended, requiring some
creativity and initiative on your part.  You should think of these as
being more like a creative writing assignment for an English class
than like a problem set for a Math class.  There is not a `right
answer' and everyone's program should be unique.  Concept, appearance
and performance will contribute to your project grades, as well as
correctness, code design and documentation.

Although you should talk to each other and to anyone else about the
assignments, the programs you hand in are expected to be entirely your
own work. Copying large sections of code from another student is 
cheating. Check with us before copying large sections of code from 
any other source. 

The tests will count equally towards your grade.  They will
be open book, open notes.

The letter grades for the course will be assigned on a curve, which
will preserve the order of students' numerical performance.

Grading:

Projects 55 % 
Exams 40 % 
Participation 5 % 

Late projects will lose 5 % on the first day, and 20 % on each
subsequent late day (including weekend days). 

We reserve the right to modify the grading formula to the benefit of the 
students or to discourage cheating. 

There will be no makeup exams. If you cannot take an exam because of a
religious holy day or other exceptional circumstance, you must notify
the professor and receive a written (or email) acknowledgment of that
notification at least fourteen days prior to the dates you will be
absent.  For religious holy days that fall within the first two weeks
of the semester, notice should be given on the first day of the
semester.