Getting Started
The course web has a lot to read. Here is a suggestion as to where to start (and a recommended order you could look at them).
Read more…Getting Started
Learning Goals
This class is meant to teach you about Computer Graphics. Computer Graphics is the study of how we make pictures with computers. The focus of the class is teaching you the key ideas of computer graphics.
The class will also teach you about how to do interactive graphics programming. We will use web technologies for this. On one hand, doing interactive web programming is a means to an end: you need to program graphics in order to really learn it. But, learning to build interactive applications for the web is a useful skill in its own right.
Read more…Course Overview
Here is a brief overview of what the class is and how it works. You may also want to see the Getting Started page.
Read more…Getting Help
The course staff is available to provide help!
Read more…Technical Requirements
Because this class is being delivered remotely, you will need to provide your own equipment for class. The requirements aren’t much different than any other class. You’ll need a capable computer, a decent internet connection, a camera, and the ability to do audio and video for communications.
Read more…Outline of Spring 2020
This class will cover roughly the same material as we did in the Spring of 2020 (and the Spring of 2019). In Spring of 2020, we lost a little time as we transitioned to remote instruction when the COVID pandemic began, so at the end, we missed a few topics (we didn’t talk about rendering).
This is the course outline for the Spring of 2020. It shows you the topics we covered - which will be very similar to the topics we cover this year.
Read more…
Books
You are not required to purchase books for this class.
All required readings will be provided online. Some of the readings are provided under academic fair use, and are only for students in the class. For this reason, they will be provided via the course Canvas page.
Read more…Javascript in CS559
Programming assignments in CS559 will use the Javascript programming language. We will help you learn Javascript, if you aren’t already familiar with it.
Read more…Tools for 559
Git and GitHub in CS559
In CS559 this semester, we will use GitHub as a mechanism for distributing framework code (the starter code for assignments) as well as to have students hand in their assignments.
If you’ve never used Git, some of this might not make sense yet, since we are using Git terminology. See Learning Git and GitHub below for help in getting started.
Learning enough about Git is a requirement for the class. Technically, knowing the basics of Git is a pre-requisite (since it is covered in CS400). However, we will help you learn.
Read more…Policies
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU)
We will use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU) for synchronous class meetings and consulting sessions. It is useful to take some time to set BBCU up so you can use it most effectively. Use this link to access it.
Summary:
- Set it up correctly and test your audio/video beforehand
- Mute yourself (and turn off video) for “whole class” parts, except when you are talking
- Raise your hand if you want to speak to the whole class (breakouts can be conversational)
- Use chat, status, and emoticons to communicate when you are not speaking.
- The “room” for the lecture will open 15 minutes before class for pre-class conversation. There is a second “discussion” room that students can use outside of class time.