605.667.81 - Computer Graphics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted on the Course Outline page. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Apply the basic mathematics required for 2-D and 3-D computer graphics.
• Create an interactive computer graphics program.
• Apply modeling, viewing, and projection transformations to create 2-D and 3-D computer graphics scenes.
• Implement several basic modeling techniques to define, store, and render objects in a 2-D or a 3-D scene.
• Implement several computer graphics techniques to improve scene realism including color, lighting and shading, and texture mapping,
• Utilize a scene graph to encapsulate computer graphics scene representation, control rendering flow, and allow simple animation of objects.
• Utilize OpenGL 3 Core Profile and GLSL shaders to create interesting 3-D scenes.
• Summarize the key components of computer graphics architecture and explain the core algorithms that comprise the “graphics pipeline”.
• Discuss the wide range of applications of computer graphics.

Course Goals

This course develops the framework necessary to implement computer graphics applications; including the mathematics required, modeling techniques, and scene rendering methods using a scene graph. Interactive 3-D computer graphics applications are developed using OpenGL and GLSL shader language.
Techniques to provide realism to 3-D scenes are developed, including projections and transformations, lighting, and texture mapping.

Textbooks

Angel, E. & Shreiner, D. (2012). Interactive computer graphics: A top-down approach with shader based OpenGL (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley.
ISBN-13: 978-0132545235
ISBN-10: 0132545233

Required Software

Programming assignments are integral to success in this course.  All assignments must be completed on a common platform.  I support MacOS, Ubuntu Linux, and MS Windows.  A C++ build system is required; I recommend a standard, free IDE (XCode for MacOS, Visual Studio Community Edition for MS Windows, CMake, etc.) and I will do my best to support the development environment of your choice.

Additionally, you will need an OpenGL library, which is standard on most platforms.  We will work together during the first week of the course to make sure every participant configures an adequate development environment.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 1-3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading on web sites, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1-2 hours per week), and completing the programming assignments (approximately 3–7 hours per week).
This course will consist of four basic student requirements:

1. Programming Exercises (50% of Final Grade Calculation)
   • Programming assignments are assigned during the first 10 modules. Each programming exercise is worth 5 points or 5% of the final grade computation. These assignments emphasize the materials within the module and are used to iteratively create an interactive, 3-D computer graphics framework using OpenGL, GLSL, along with a scene graph and geometry methods that will be needed. Requirements for each programming exercise are detailed and a reference application is supplied to demonstrate the final scene and behavior that is being implemented. Each submission must include working code (a compiled executable) as well as the entire set of source code (including all include files). Source code should be commented to the function or method level and a Readme file should be included if the exercise is not complete or behaves differently than the reference code.
   • All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar and Assignment Pages. Each programming exercise builds upon the prior exercise and reference code is provided at the start of each module. Late submissions will generally not be accepted. See the Late Policy below for some flexibility.
   • Partial credit may be given for parts of the assignment that were attempted but not completed. In such cases the code must be commented and may have sections “commented out” that show the attempt. Please note such attempts in a Readme file attached with the assignment. Parts of an exercise that show no attempt result in a 0 for that part of the assignment.
   • Each programming exercise has grading criteria included (different point values for each part of the exercise). The general grading guidelines for detailed part of a programming exercise is broken into 3 parts:
     • Accuracy of the result - 65%. For each feature, the principle grade is on the accuracy of the image and interactive behavior, i.e., does the program create the desired graphics feature properly and result in the correct image.
     • Approach and efficiency - 25%. Computer graphics is often about efficiency so there can be deductions for inefficient or poorly written code. While the code produces the correct image, it may not be efficient or could be improved in some manner.
     • Comments and code organization – 10%. Sloppy code with lots of code that is commented out or not used makes it harder to grade and does not look professional. This can result in deductions.
2. Final Project (20% of Final Grade Calculation)
   • A final project will be assigned during Module 10, to be completed during the last module. The final project will be completed by individual students, or teams of 2 students working together, to design a computer graphics scene and implement it using the features and techniques developed during the course. In addition, several new features are required, with some flexibility on which features to develop based on needs for the scene. Grading criteria for the project is generally the same as for the programming assignments with several differences (each point is worth that percentage of the entire grade):
     • Design/Plan - 1 point. An initial design or plan is to be submitted during Module 12. This is mostly an exercise to ensure the project planned is not too ambitious or too simple, so the grade is based entirely on submitting the plan in time and working with the instructor to revise it, if needed.
     • Status check - 1 point. A status check is to be submitted during Module 13. This is a simple image along with a written description of remaining work. This is graded entirely on submitting by the required date.
     • Scene Originality - 3 points. The programming exercises are all “fixed” scenes and behaviors that students must match. The final project allows a scene definition or theme of the student’s choosing. This grade is subjective – basically the grade is to encourage students to think about how to use the tools and features developed to create an interesting scene, not just a trivial extension of the scenes developed within the programming exercise.
     • Individual/Team Presentation – 2 points. Students are required to present their projects to the rest of the class. We will hold a live meeting at the end of Module 14 to allow students to do this. However, if a student or group is unable to attend, they can submit a short video presentation. This allows students to share their final project and describe the scene as well as the technical approach. This is more about sharing your work than a critique of presentation skills.
       
3. Exam (15% of Final Grade)
   • A single exam will be available in Module 12. You will have one week to complete the exam. You may use the course text as well as any of the programming exercise’s source code to complete the exams. The exam will be a mix of application of material to solve problem(s), technical rationale for choosing design approaches, and demonstrating understanding of the impacts of various techniques and features on the scene and final image.
   • Exam questions may have multiple parts with different point values. Questions (or parts of questions) that have no answer will receive no credit. Partial answers or incomplete answers may receive partial credit.
   • Qualitative questions are evaluated based on these criteria:
     • Technical accuracy. Inaccurate or faulty arguments will cause deductions. (40%).
     • Completeness. Following through with a complete answer (not skipping key points or arguments). (40%)
     • Written quality and inclusion of required diagrams or drawings. (20%).
   • Quantitative questions and problems are graded based on these criteria:
     • Correctness. The correct answer is presented. (75%)
     • Approach. The approach may lead to a correct answer but may be inefficient or overlay complex: a better approach exists. (25%)
   • Note that where a problem has multiple parts, an incorrect answer in one part that is correctly applied in further parts will not receive additional deductions.
     • 100–90 = A—All parts of question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rich in content; full of thought, insight, and analysis].
     • 89–80 = B—All parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
     • 79–70 = C—Majority of parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].
     • <70 = F—Some parts of the question are addressed; Writing Quality/ Rationale/ Examples/ Outside References [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight displayed].
4. Application Survey (10% of Final Grade Calculation)
   • Students will survey or study a computer graphics application or topic of their choice. These application survey presentations will be due during Module 13. This is worth 10% of the final grade. Requirements for the application survey and grading criteria are detailed in Module 5. This is not meant to be a lengthy research paper. Rather, it is intended to show the breadth and diversity of applications of computer graphics and to do a quick introduction to a couple of different computer graphics techniques. The main criteria for grading is that the requirements for screenshots and images are met with some discussion that relates the images to the computer graphics topic that is selected. Using computer graphics terms that are not defined within the presentation will also cause deductions of up to 1 point. References are required, absence of references will cause deductions up to 1 points. Also, discussions that sound more like an advertisement or use technical jargon will cause deductions up to 1 point.
     
5. Participation (5% of Final Grade Calculation)
   • Online courses are designed to be relatively self-paced and self-directed.  However, due to the nature of the course material, many students have difficulty learning on their own.  For this reason, I provide multiple options in which the students can interact with each other and with me, the professor. These include the following:
     • A discussion forum for each module
       • Students should first post their questions there.
       • Students are encouraged to answer others’ questions, but I will monitor these discussions regularly and post answers as soon as possible, and definitely within 24 hours.
     • Weekly live virtual meetings in which I will briefly review the lectures, field questions from students, and provide a forum in which students can interact.
       • These meetings will be recorded and posted in the modules for later viewing.
       • These meetings are optional.
     • Office Hours
       • Once a week, I will host a one-hour live virtual meeting to help students with specific issues.
       • If any student is unable to attend the prescribed Office Hour time, I will do my best to schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting at another day and time at the request of the student.
         
   • I understand that everybody learns differently. The participation grade is somewhat arbitrary and I tend to be liberal giving full points to most students.  Please make this an easy decision for me by being active in either the discussions or the live virtual meetings. If you feel you do not need help from the professor, then please help another student. This is an extremely challenging course.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the Calendar and the Assignment Pages. I will post grades within one week after assignment due dates. Reference code will be provided at the start of the next module since each programming assignment builds upon the prior assignment.

I generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work.
Point grades are assigned to each programming assignment, the exam, and other assignments. The point totals add up to 100 with the following, final letter grades determined as follows:

Score Range	Letter Grade
100-97	A+
96-93	A
92-90	A−
89-87	B+
86-83	B
82-80	B−
79-77	C+
76-73	C
72-70	C−
69-67	D+
66-63	D
<63	F

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Item	% of Grade
Programming exercises	50%
Final Project	20%
Exam	15%
Application Survey	10%
Participation	5%

Course Policies

Late Policy:

Each student will have 5 discretionary late days to use throughout the course. If a student needs extra time to complete an assignment, the student may request to use some or all of these days without incurring a grade penalty for that assignment. The student must inform the professor via email before the due date of the intent to use late day(s), including the number of days requested.  The professor will respond with a denial or approval of your request and if approved, the new due date for the assignment for that student.

Example:

An assignment is due on Tuesday the 22nd at 10pm EST.  A student requests and is granted 2 late days.  The student can submit the assignment before Thursday the 24th at 10pm EST without any grading penalty.  The student can use the remaining 3 days for other projects throughout the course.

A few exceptions to the late policy:

Final Project

A request to use late days for the Final Project will be denied. This is due to the student’s requirement to present the project to the class and the professor’s requirement to submit final grades before a certain day/time.

Programming Assignments for Modules 1-10

I provide new code for each module.  The solution to the previous module assignment is included in the new code base.  If I suspect a student used the provided solution in the submitted project, the student will receive no points for that assignment.  If this happens more than once for any given student, I will report that student to my department for plagiarism.



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Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.