Syllabus
Computer Graphics - COMP 446
2:00 MWF, Science 80
Spring 2003
Instructor: Frank McCown
Contact: 279-4434, HU Box 10764, fmccown@harding.edu
(Home: 279-9332)
Home Page: http://www.harding.edu/fmccown (Syllabus, Outline, class grades, useful
links)
Office Hours: Lee
120-A: 10:45 – 11:45, 3 – 4 MWF and
9:45 – 11:45 TT or by appointment
Mathematical and programming
techniques central to computer graphics will be presented. Topics include:
scaling, transformations, translations, rotations, reflections, projections,
windowing, rendering, surface generation and hidden surface removal. The OpenGL API for Windows will be used for
programming assignments. Prerequisites:
Comp 245 (Data Structures) and Math 313 (Linear Algebra).
Exams
Two
regular exams (each worth 100 points) will be given in class as well as a final
comprehensive exam (150 points) covering the entire course and, in more detail,
the information presented since the 2nd exam.
If
for any
reason you are not able to take an exam, you must notify me before
the exam (or as soon as physically possible).
Failure to do so will result in a zero for the exam. A message on my voice mail is preferred. If an official school function takes you out
of class on an exam date, it is your responsibility to make arrangements one
week prior to the exam as to when you will take the exam. Usually it will be given early, not late.
Quizzes, Assignments, and Projects
Quizzes
over reading assignments will be worth 10 points each. Other 10 point assignments will be given as
homework and averaged into the quiz scores.
The lowest quiz/assignment score will be dropped when computing the
average. All quizzes will be taken
using WebCT outside of class. It is
available at http://webct.harding.edu.
Three
major projects will be assigned using the OpenGL API for Windows. Visual Studio .NET will be the compiler of
choice although older versions of Visual C++ may be used (just make sure your
program works in VS.NET before turning in).
Programs will usually be due at the beginning of the class period. A maximum of 10% will be taken off each day
a program is late, up to 50%. All
source code should conform to “Tips to
Writing Clean Code” (a separate hand-out).
Most
programming assignments will be turned in using the Electronic Assignment
Submission systEm (EASE) that is accessible from http://www.harding.edu/fmccown.
Programs must be submitted to EASE before class on the day it is
due in order to avoid late penalties.
* It is
important that you check your Harding e-mail regularly (everyday) because I
occasionally give hints or corrections to homework assignments via e-mail.
You will complete a 150
point individual project of your choosing which covers topics/techniques not
covered in class or subjects which could be developed to a greater extent. The project will typically be a program and
will be presented orally (20 minute presentation) to your classmates during the
last few weeks of class. Ideas for your
project shall be submitted to me for approval no later than Wednesday, April
2. The project will be due Wednesday,
Apr 23. No late projects will be
accepted.
Grades
Standard
letter grades: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89% C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = 0-59%
Final grades
will be computed using these weights:
Programs: 30%
Quizzes and Assignments: 15%
Final Project: 15%
Exams: 25%
Final Exam: 15%
Expectations
Of
course I expect everyone of you to hold to the highest standard of personal conduct and integrity... that means you will not cheat on tests or
programs. Cheating is the willful
misrepresentation of someone else's work as your own. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, submitting
work identical to someone else's, submitting part or all of a programming
assignment identical to someone else's, or using unapproved sources of
information, e.g., notes, textbook, your neighbor's exam, etc., during a quiz
or exam. This is a serious matter. Anyone found cheating will receive an F for
the course.
This
does not mean you can’t help others with their programs; everyone will at some
time struggle and need assistance from fellow students. But simply giving someone your source code
to copy isn’t going to help either of you.
Warning: students who “work
together” on a programming assignment (working on one program and each making a
copy) are in danger of having one grade divided between them. Programs are individual assignments and are
the responsibility of the individual.
Come by during office hours (or we’ll arrange a time) for assistance on
programs.
If
you ever need assistance in this class or anything else, please don’t hesitate
to come by my office or give me a call.
If it’s an emergency and you really need help in the evening, feel free
to call me at home, only please do not call after curfew.
Students with Disabilities
It
is the policy of Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities,
pursuant to federal and state law. Any
student with a disability who needs accommodation (for example: in seating
placement or in arrangements for examinations) should inform me at the
beginning of this course. Students with
disabilities are encouraged to contact Student Support Services, located in
Room 109 of the Claud Rogers Lee Building, at 279-4028.
“And whatever you do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God
the Father.”