VIZA - Visualization

VIZA 611 Concepts of Visual Communications I

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 612 Concepts of Visual Communications II

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. Exploration of perception, vision and self-expression for communication through visual images; image-making processes include conventional and digital media. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

VIZA 613 3-D Modeling and Animation

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 614 Form/Installation/Environment

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. 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: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.

VIZA 615 Computer Animation

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Intermediate level computer animation--focusing on production of three dimensional computer generated animation which may or may not integrate video and photographic elements. Prerequisite: VIZA 613 or approval of instructor.

VIZA 616 Rendering and Shading

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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. Prerequisite: VIZA 613 or approval of instructor.

VIZA 617 Advanced Animation

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. 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. Prerequisite: VIZA 613 or approval of instructor.

VIZA 618 Facial Modeling and Animation

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 622 Design Communication I

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. 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. Prerequisites: VIZA 465 or equivalent; graduate classification or approval of instructor.

VIZA 623 Design Communication II

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 625 Multi-Media Web Design

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 626 Generative Art and Design

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours. Theory and creative application of generative systems in studio art practice; chance based systems include random numbers and noise; biologically inspired systems include genetic algorithms, L-systems, and artificial life; systems drawn from complexity theory include, cellular automata, fractals, finite state machines, catastrophe theory, reaction diffusion systems, and chaos. May be taken 2 times for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

VIZA 627 Design Communication III

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Advanced methods in video, photography and/or animation production; application of image strategies used in contemporary media. May be taken twice. Prerequisites: VIZA 613 or VIZA 622 or VIZA 643; approval of instructor.

VIZA 629 Digital Media: Inspiration and Process

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. Exploration of artwork and literature that has informed contemporary creativity provides a broad basis for discovery through reading, writing, studio projects; demonstrate a knowledge of creative strategies including, but not limited to mapping, database, allegory, sampling, and generative systems. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.

VIZA 630 Contemporary Art Studio/Seminar I

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. Critical, theoretical and historical readings on art and artists prompt visual and textual responses; development of personal ideas, methods, and processes; research, writing, discussion and preliminary studies contribute to a final, in-depth body of work situated within the context of contemporary art. Prerequisite: Graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

VIZA 631 Contemporary Art Studio/Seminar II

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. Theoretical and critical tools for contemporary digital art practice and technology-based cultural production; project proposal and development; exhibition planning, site selection and installation. Prerequisite: VIZA 630 or approval of instructor.

VIZA 641 Visual Storytelling

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 643 Time Based Media I

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. Visual language and cinematic structure explored through time based projects; historical, critical, and practical exploration of the interaction of camera, lighting, sound, editing, special effects, and mise en scene. Prerequisites: VIST 465 or equivalent; graduate classification in visualization or approval of instructor.

VIZA 644 Time Based Media II

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 647 Color Photography

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours. 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 two times for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.

VIZA 654/CSCE 646 The Digital Image

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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: Graduate classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CSCE 646/VIZA 654.

VIZA 656/CSCE 647 Image Synthesis

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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: Approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CSCE 647/VIZA 656.

VIZA 657/CSCE 648 Computer Aided Sculpting

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. Mathematical and artistic principles of 3-D modeling and sculpting; includes proportions, 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 representations. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CSCE 648/VIZA 657.

VIZA 658 Experimental Visual Techniques

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.

VIZA 659/CSCE 649 Physically-Based Modeling

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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 Listing: CSCE 649/VIZA 659.

VIZA 662 Physical Computing for Art and Design

Credits 3. 1 Lecture Hour. 4 Lab Hours. Theory and creative application of digital technology in studio art and design practice to create dynamic environments, interactive objects, and tangible interfaces in the physical world; technologies involved include microcontrollers, basic electronics, sensors, actuators, motors, wireless and internet data communication, light, sound, and wearable devices. May be taken 2 times for credit. Prerequisites: Graduate classification in Visualization or approval of instructor.

VIZA 665 Digital Compositing

Credits 4. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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.

VIZA 670/CSCE 620 Computational Geometry

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Design and analysis of algorithms for solving geometrical problems; includes convex hull problems, Voronoi diagrams, range searching and proximity problems. Prerequisite: CSCE 311 or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CSCE 620/VIZA 670.

VIZA 672/CSCE 641 Computer Graphics

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. 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: CSCE 441 or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CSCE 641/VIZA 672.

VIZA 673/CSCE 643 Robotics Programming

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. 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: CSCE 452 or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: CSCE 643.

VIZA 675/CSCE 645 Geometric Modeling

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. 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: CSCE 441 and CSCE 442 or equivalent. Cross Listing: CSCE 645/VIZA 675.

VIZA 676/CSCE 679 Data Visualization

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Foundation principles of data visualization and hands-on experience in design and evaluation; includes abstract data visualization, 3D visualization, infographics, data narratives, principles of visual data encoding and interaction techniques. Cross Listing: CSCE 679/VIZA 676.

VIZA 677/CSCE 650 Virtual Reality

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Theory and practice of virtual reality (VR); interactive 3D virtual environments, immersive technology, perceptual realism, and embodied interaction experience; overview of VR with topics including input devices, output devices, 3D interaction techniques, augmented reality, the role of realism in VR, navigation techniques, design guidelines, and evaluation methods; hands-on experience designing VR experiences emphasizing application, demonstration, or research purposes. Cross Listing: CSCE 650/VIZA 677.

VIZA 679 Advanced Topics in Physically Based Modeling

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours. 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: Graduate classification or approval of instructor.

VIZA 680 Professional Practice in Visualization

Credits 4. 2 Lecture Hours. 4 Lab Hours. Preparation of a portfolio, creating an internet presence, use of social media, interviews, negotiation, business practices, and fundamentals of teaching. Professional practice in pursuit of career paths for the Master of Fine Arts in Visualization. Prerequisites: Graduate classification in visualization and approval of instructor.

VIZA 681 Seminar

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Survey of visualization-related disciplines, theories, methods, facilities and resources; reports and discussion of current works in progress; review of selected published scholarly articles; presentations on graduate pedagogy and teaching methodology.

VIZA 684 Professional Internship

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Practical experience in a studio/museum/gallery setting working with allied professionals; minimum fifteen week internship with a minimum of 600 hours continuous employment; departmental pre-approval through the departmental internship coordinator required; post approval evaluation conducted following the internship. May not be repeated for credit.

VIZA 685 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 6. 1 to 6 Other Hours. Individual problems involving application of theory and practice in Visualization. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and department head.

VIZA 689 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. 0 to 4 Lab Hours. Selected topics in an identified field of design communication and/or electronic media. May be repeated for credit.

VIZA 691 Research

Credits 1 to 23. 1 to 23 Other Hours. Research for preparation of MS thesis. Prerequisites: Graduate classification in visualization and approval of instructor.

VIZA 693 Professional Study

Credits 1 to 9. 1 to 9 Other Hours. Research and writing combined with MFA studio projects; prepare and present a public exhibition of a final body of work; submit a related scholarly journal paper as approved by the committee chair. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Graduate classification in visualization and approval of instructor.