In order to understand the material in this course, you will need to have a good working knowledge of data structures such as linked lists, trees, symbol tables, and dynamically allocated structures. You will need to know how to implement these data structures in C or C++. This course will also draw on knowledge of the 2D and 3D geometry of vectors and coordinate systems, and on the use of matrix algebra for coordinate transformations. To successfully complete this course, you should be familiar with material related to the above topics covered in M229 (Matrices and Linear Equations), CS200 (Algorithms and Data Structures), and CS314 (Software Development Methods).

There is one required textbook for this course:

• Interactive Computer Graphics: A Top-Down Approach Using OpenGL, Fourth Edition

Below are two common references for OpenGL which students may optionally wish to use. Latest editions of these are marginally better than older versions, but for much of what is covered in this course the updates are not critical.

• OpenGL Programming Guide, Addison Wesley Professional Press (Optional)
• OpenGL Reference Manual, Addison Weslet Professional Press (Optional)

Students are responsible for doing the assigned reading prior to the lecture in which the material is to be covered. Reading assignments are announced in class. Students in doubt about reading assignments are encouraged to ask for clarification in lecture. The readings will also be keyed to topics as the course progress web page develops over the semester.

Students may also be assigned reading in outside sources available publicly through the web. These assignments will be made if and when appropriate.

The following are the dates for the two midterms and the final exam. Make-up exams are only given for extraordinary circumstances (e.g., illness, death of family member). Please plan accordingly.

The following are the basic topics covered in CS410. In keeping with the design of the textbook, many of these topics are exemplified through their use within OpenGL.

There are five formally graded elements to this course. At the end of the semester the final grade will be based upon a weighted sum of points earned in each of these areas. The specific weighting is:

There will be approximately five short, roughly ten minute, quizzes given at the start of class. These will be distributed, somewhat roughly, throughout the semester. There is a formal writing component to this class and there will be two short essays, approximately five pages, assigned. One will come early in the semester, the other toward the end. The largest single element of the course is the semester programming projects. There are typically three such projects. There are also three major written exams, two midterms and one final exam. These exams are taken in the classroom and are closed book, closed notes, etc.

The following are the late and makeup policies for the course.

Midterm and Finals:

Make-up exams are only given for extraordinary circumstances.

Quizzes:

No make-ups will be given for missed quizzes.

Projects and Essays:

Unless otherwise specified, programming assignments and essays are to be submitted electronically via RamCT. Details of how this is done will appear with the first assignment. Always check the assignment page for due dates; normally, assignments are due at 11:55 PM on the due date. Late assignments submitted within 48 hours of the time required will receive a 10% late penalty. Electronic submission will be closed 48 hours after assignments are due; students not having submitted assignments after 48 hours receive an automatic zero on the assignment.

All students are expected to conduct themselves professionally. We (the instructors and GTAs) assume you are familiar with the policies in the student information sheet for the department. Additionally, you are computing professionals and should be familiar with the code of conduct for the primary professional society, ACM. You can read the ACM Code of Conduct HERE.

We work to maintain an environment supportive of learning in the classroom and laboratory. Towards that end, we require that you be courteous to and respectful of your fellow participants (i.e., classmates, instructors, GTAs and any tutors). In particular:

• Please turn off the ring on your cell phone. If you are expecting an emergency call, sit near the door and slide out discretely to take it.
• If you plan to use a laptop during class, please sit toward the back of the classroom and turn off any sound from the machine. The tap-tap of the keyboard and the images showing on a screen can be distracting to those sitting around you.
• In class use of electronic devices in general, and laptops specifically, is permitted as a courtesy so that you may better participate and learn. If at any time the instructor judges that an electronic device is becoming a distraction, the student will be asked to turn it off and put it away.
• Laptops and all other electronic devices must be shut and put away during exams and quizzes.