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Course Descriptions

Visualization

(faculty, see Department of Architecture)

(VIZA)

611. Concepts of Visual Communications I. (2-4). Credit 4.

Theory and practice of visual communication using a variety of media to explore perception, form-making, color, and historic and personal sources of creativity. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

612. Concepts of Visual Communications II. (2-4). Credit 4.

Further exploration of perception, vision and self-expression for communication through visual images; image-making processes include conventional and digital media. Prerequisite: VIZA 611 or approval of instructor.

613. 3-D Modeling and Animation. (3-2). Credit 4.

Principles of 3-D computer animation with an emphasis in aesthetics and techniques for 3-D modeling, color, texture, lighting, motion control and rendering. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

614. Form/Installation/Environment. (1-2). Credit 2.

Aesthetic and functional concerns involving public spaces; interdisciplinary investigation of audible, visual and form potential of environmental space utilizing models and electronic imaging technology; ethical responsibilities regarding the environment and its use. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

615. Computer Animation. (3-2). Credit 4.

Intermediate level computer animation—focusing on production of sync-sound three dimensional computer generated animation which may or may not integrate video and photographic elements. Prerequisite: VIZA 613 or approval of instructor.

616. Rendering and Shading. (2-2). Credit 3.

Exploration of advanced rendering and shading techniques for the attainment of a desired visual effect; topics may include shading languages, attainment of visual realism, integration of rendering and modeling tools, and non-photorealistic rendering. Prerequisites: VIZA 613 and 653 or approval of instructor.

617. Advanced Animation. (2-4). Credit 4.

Development of advanced three-dimensional computer animation with emphasis on successful storytelling and visual communication; may include story development, expressive character design, motivation, acting, speech animation, choreography, stage lighting, storyboards, soundtracks, story reels, production efficiency, and successive refinement. May be taken twice. Prerequisites: VIZA 615; approval of instructor.

618. Facial Modeling and Animation. (2-2). Credit 3.

Design and analysis of articulated 3D models for creating facial animation; includes designing expressive 3D faces, exaggerations, facial expressions and facial animation techniques. Prerequisite: VIZA 613 or approval of instructor.

622. Design Communication I. (2-4). Credit 4.

Theory and practice of visual communication employing a variety of digital and conventional media; emphasis on creating effective, self-expressive images employing the combined use of a variety of media. Prerequisite: VIZA 612 or approval of instructor.

623. Design Communication II. (1-4). Credit 3.

Development of concepts and forms in visual communications; organization of complex problems in production; synthesis of skills, information tools and methodology. Prerequisite: VIZA 622 or approval of instructor.

625. Multi-Media Web Design. (2-2). Credit 3.

Examination of aesthetic, narrative, technical strategies; multi-media content on the web; methods of integrating imagery, animation, sound; non-linear multi-media narration. Application of multi-media techniques for navigation, interaction, animation, vector drawing, video, audio. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

627. Design Communication III. (2-2). Credit 3.

Advanced methods in video, photography and/or animation production; application of image strategies used in contemporary media. May be taken twice. Prerequisite: VIZA 622 or 643 or approval of instructor.

629. Digital Media: Inspiration and Process. (2-2). Credit 3.

Exploration of artwork and literature that has informed contemporary creativity provides a broad basis for discovery through reading, writing, studio projects; students will demonstrate a knowledge of creative strategies including, but not limited to mapping, database, allegory, sampling, and generative systems. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

641. Visual Storytelling. (2-2). Credit 3.

Exploration of visual storytelling techniques for the attainment of desired storytelling effects; includes character development, using shots, camera, lights, props and background elements, master plots, one and multi-panel cartoons, comics, storyboards, animatics and storyreels. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.

643. Videography. (2-4). Credit 4.

Vision and perception represented through use of video presentation methods and techniques; theory and practice of staging, lighting, sound, camera, editing, script generation, special effects in production and post-production video practices. Prerequisite: VIZA 612 or approval of instructor.

644. Time Based Media. (1-4). Credit 3.

Advanced theory and production of art forms with motion, tempo, sequencing and duration as integral components; projects may include in-depth creation using a single medium or may emphasize a combination of media such as video, audio, networked communication, animation, performance or installation. May be taken twice. Prerequisite: VIZA 643 or approval of instructor.

647. Color Photography. (1-4). Credit 3.

Theory and practice of still color photography; appropriate uses of color processes related to digital photography and other graphic media; exploration of vision through the photographic image as a medium of self expression. May be taken twice. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

652. Computing for Visualization I. (3-2). Credit 4.

Introduction to digital computing environments as used in visualization practice and research; human-computer interface, operating system tools, and programming for graphics. Prerequisites: CPSC 110 or equivalent; approval of instructor.

653. Computing for Visualization II. (3-2). Credit 4.

Techniques of design and problem solving for the construction of visualization software systems; advanced operating system tools for system maintenance; fundamentals of 2-D computer graphics, including user interface design and programming, mathematical elements, image and file structure, and software development techniques. Prerequisite: VIZA 652 or approval of instructor.

654. The Digital Image. (3-2). Credit 4.

Tools and techniques for generation, handling and analysis of two dimensional digital images; image representation and storage; display, media conversion, painting and drawing; warping; color space operations, enhancement, filtering and manipulation. Prerequisite: VIZA 653 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 646.

656. Image Synthesis. (3-2). Credit 4.

Principles of image synthesis from 3-D scene descriptions; topics may include local and global illumination, shading, shadow determination, hidden surface elimination, texturing, raster graphics algorithms, transformations and projections. Prerequisite: VIZA 653 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 647.

657. Computer Aided Sculpting. (2-3). Credit 3.

Mathematical and artistic principles of 3-D modeling and sculpting; includes proportion skeletal foundation, expression and posture, line of action; curves, surfaces and volumes, interpolation and approximation, parametric and rational parametric polynomials, constructive solid geometry, and implicit representation. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 648.

658. Experimental Visual Techniques. (2-2). Credit 3.

Theory and experimental techniques for computer graphics, animation, video, and other forms of electronic visualization including innovative hardware and software systems, artificial life, virtual reality, volume methods and hypermedia. May be taken twice. Prerequisite: VIZA 654 or 656 or approval of instructor.

659. Physically-Based Modeling. (2-2). Credit 3.

Physical simulation as used in choreography, geometric modeling, and the creation of special effects in computer graphics; a variety of problems and techniques are explored which may include particle-methods, modeling and simulation of flexible materials, kinematics and constraint systems. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 649.

665. Digital Compositing. (3-2). Credit 4.

Principles of Digital Compositing—Image based lighting and modeling, camera calibration, shape reconstruction, reconstruction of transparency and specularity and digital compositing of computer generated animations with video images. Prerequisite: VIZA 613 or approval of instructor.

670. Computational Geometry. (3-0). Credit 3.

Design and analysis of algorithms for solving geometrical problems; includes convex hull problems, Voronoi diagrams, range searching and proximity problems. Prerequisite: CPSC 311 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 620.

672. Computer Graphics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Representation of 3-dimensional objects, including polyhedral objects, curved surfaces, volumetric representations and CSG models’ techniques for hidden surface/edge removal and volume rendering; illumination and shading; antialiasing; ray tracing; radiosity; animation; practical experience with state-of-the-art graphics hardware and software. Prerequisite: CPSC 441 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 641.

673. Robotics Programming. (3-0). Credit 3.

Manipulator dynamics, position control, hybrid position/force control, and impedance controls; advanced topics in manipulator motion planning, assembly planning and grasp planning; cell decomposition; retraction; back projection; hypothesize-and-test; and potential field methods; subassembly stability; task-level and fine motion planning; grasp stability; grasp synthesis; dexterous manipulation. Prerequisite: CPSC 452 or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CPSC 643.

675. Geometric Modeling. (3-0). Credit 3.

Geometric and solid modeling concepts, Freeform curves and surfaces (splines and BeZier) with their relational, intersectional and global mathematic properties; parametric representation of solids, topology of closed curved surfaces, boundary concepts and Boolean/Euler operators; construction and display of curves and surfaces, and solid models. Prerequisites: CPSC 441 and 442 or equivalent. Cross-listed with CPSC 645.

679. Advanced Topics in Physically Based Modeling. (2-2). Credit 3.

Current research and advanced methods in choreographing motion for animation using a physics-based approach; mainstream research literature in animation; theoretical and methodological topics addressed, through both study and implementation. May be taken twice. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 6.

Individual problems involving application of theory and practice in Visualization. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and department head.

689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified field of design communication and/or electronic media. May be repeated for credit.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Research for preparation of thesis. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.