Course Overview

This page is a brief overview of what the class is, and a summary of the basic information you need to thrive in it.

What is this class about?

Computer Graphics is how we use computers to make pictures. This class is about how to program computers to draw. It is not about what pictures you should draw (that’s art). The class is about how you program picture making, not how you use tools to make pictures. This class is how to write graphics programs not about how to use them.

You can see the Learning Goals page for a discussion of what we want you to learn in this class, and a summary of the key topics. You can also see what we’re going to cover in class from the Calendar.

To practice the graphics ideas, we will implement them with web programming. So, along the way, you will learn the basics of web programming and JavaScript (if you don’t know it already). See the Javascript in CS559 page which explains why we use JavaScript, as well as how to learn it.

What is “Accelerated Honors”?

Accelerated honors classes are specially designated sections of a class that provide a more rigorous/intensive experience of similar material.

Accelerated Honors is the University term for an advanced section of a class that is open to students who are not necessarily enrolled in an honors program.

The Accelerated Honors section of CS559 will be a more rigorous introduction to the topic of Computer Graphics than the regular section. It is meant to provide a more intensive learning experience for students with a deep interest in the topic. It will provide a learning opportunity in a smaller class (we will limit it to about 30 students) with a self-selected group of students committed to exploring the topic in depth. Everyone in class has signed up to take the harder class.

The Accelerated Honors (AH) section will add to the content of the regular CS559 class. You can see the The Plan for the Accelerated Honors Section.

Students who enroll in the AH section are committed to doing the extra work and engagement in order to have the opportunity to learn more.

How will the class work?

This class is experimental.

The basic idea is we will use a flipped classroom model to sprint through the content of the regular class in the first 9 weeks of the semester, and leave the remaining 5 weeks for student-directed learning (projects and class activities around topics that the class chooses).

During the content weeks, students will be given resources to learn the materials. They will be asked to complete a content survey before the Tuesday lecture (i.e., due on Monday) and the results will be used to shape a discussion of the content in class. Students are required to turn in a draft of their programming workbooks before Thursdays class (which will be a workshop).

During the portfolio weeks, students will prepare portfolios with work that shows their skill with the material.

In the second phase of the class, there will be similar assignments around student chosen topics.

Students are required to take a midterm and (non-cumulative) final exam.

See The Plan for the Accelerated Honors Section for a more thorough description, and Types of Assignments and Classes for a description of assignment types.

Basic Class Information

Instructor: Professor Michael Gleicher. Office hours Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 (or by appointment) in 6385CS (my office). Check my web page to see if I am out of town. (I will be out of town on 2/19, for example).

Teaching Assistants: The two sections (AH and regular) of CS559 share TAs. Alex Peseckis is the TA with primary responsibility for the AH section. See the regular section staff page for contact information. The other TAs can help with general questions (such as figuring out GIT, or basic graphics things), but not the honors assignments.

Lectures: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 11am-12:15pm, 2195 Granger Hall (Business). See the attendance policy .

Grading: Final grades will be based on the quality of the portfolio assignments (including the final project), with penalties for not adequately completing Engagement activities (including attendance). See Grading (and late policy) and Types of Assignments and Classes.

Exams: There will be two exams. An evening midterm on Thursday, March 6th, and a Final Exam in the University assigned exam block.

Books: Students are not required to purchase any books. Chapters for required readings will be provided online, either through the course Canvas or the University Library.

Academic Conduct: Students are expected to uphold high standards of academic integrity and to collaborate in appropriate ways. See Academic Conduct.

GitHub: Students will use GitHub and GitHub classroom to complete assignments. See Types of Assignments and Classes for which assignments use GitHub, and Git and GitHub in CS559 for an explanation of how GIT works for class. Students are expected to have GitHub accounts and to use the same GitHub username for the semester.

Use of AI Tools: Students are allowed to use AI assistants for some of their work. Surveys and exams explicitly prohibit the use of AI assistance. Use of AI assistants is allowed for programming assignments. See Course Policy on the use of Generative AI Tools.

Schedule: See Calendar.

Overview of Class Policies

See the Policies for CS559H topic for details of different class policies. Some key points:

1. Students are responsible for the content on the course web and Canvas.
2. Attendance is required (and part of your Engagement grade). If you miss class, fill out the CS559AH attendance form. (see Class Meetings and Attendance)
3. We will communicate using the Course Web, Canvas, and Piazza. Announcements will be made on Canvas. (see Communications Policy)
4. Grades will be based on student portfolios (including final projects) and exams, with penalties applied if aspects of Engagement are not satisfactory. (see Grading (and late policy))
5. Students are responsible for learning from the provided materials, including completing surveys to indicate what they need help with.
6. Online engagement includes content surveys, other surveys, and submitting draft assignments. These activities count towards students’ engagement grades (final grades will be penalized for unsatisfactory work). The late policies for these engagement activities are often extremely strict because students must complete them to be prepared for class. (see Grading (and late policy)).
7. Students are expected to uphold high standards of academic integrity (see Academic Conduct).
8. Students should use “plain” JavaScript for the programming assignments. (see Javascript in CS559)

When in doubt, ask.