SCHOOL

University of Patras

ACADEMIC UNIT

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

LEVEL OF STUDIES

Undergraduate and graduate

COURSE CODE

ECE_AK709

SEMESTER

7

COURSE TITLE

Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality

INDEPENDENT TEACHING ACTIVITIES
if credits are awarded for separate components of the course, e.g. lectures, laboratory exercises, etc. If the credits are awarded for the whole of the course, give the weekly teaching hours and the total credits

WEEKLY TEACHING HOURS

CREDITS

Lectures

3

3

laboratory exercises

3

3

Add rows if necessary. The organisation of teaching and the teaching methods used are described in detail at (d).

6

6

COURSE TYPE

general background,
special background, specialised general knowledge, skills development

Specialised general knowledge

PREREQUISITE COURSES:

There are no prerequisite courses. However, it is advisable that students have attended the courses “Computational Geometry and 3D Modeling”, “Physics”, “Numerical Analysis” and “Linear Algebra”.

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION and EXAMINATIONS:

Greek. Instructions may be given in English in case those foreign students attend the course.

IS THE COURSE OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS

Yes

COURSE WEBSITE (URL)

https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/EE844/

Learning outcomes

The course learning outcomes, specific knowledge, skills and competences of an appropriate level, which the students will acquire with the successful completion of the course are described.

Consult Appendix A

·     Description of the level of learning outcomes for each qualifications cycle, according to the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area

·     Descriptors for Levels 6, 7 & 8 of the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and Appendix B

·     Guidelines for writing Learning Outcomes

·                     Knowledge on the computer graphics pipeline, information visualization and virtual reality

·                     Knowledge on drawing basic geometric primitives and 3D models

·                     Mathematical background on representation, 3D transformation, and projection of 2D and 3D objects

·                     Mathematical models of shading, global illumination along with practical implementations in a programming environment

·                     Color, texture and shadow management

·                     Knowledge on practical implementations of synthetic motion of rigid and articulated objects

·                     Knowledge on virtual reality systems, projections, interaction, feedback

General Competences

Taking into consideration the general competences that the degree-holder must acquire (as these appear in the Diploma Supplement and appear below), at which of the following does the course aim?

Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology

Adapting to new situations

Decision-making

Working independently

Team work

Working in an international environment

Working in an interdisciplinary environment

Production of new research ideas

Project planning and management

Respect for difference and multiculturalism

Respect for the natural environment

Showing social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues

Criticism and self-criticism

Production of free, creative and inductive thinking

……

Others…

…….

·                     Preparation of engineers in the field of Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality on real-time graphics and 3D object representation

·                     Familiarization with the mathematical models and their practical implementation in a programming environment

·                     Use of object-oriented programming for the demonstration (lab), development (assignments) of the practical applications of the course

·                     Familiarization and use of modern software libraries of computer graphics (OpenGL, game engines)

·                     Design and implementation of computer graphics and virtual/augmented reality systems

·                     Use of computer programming and specialized libraries for the development of 3D real-time computer graphics applications

·                     Basic Concepts: Introduction in computer graphics and virtual reality, graphics pipeline, I/O graphics devices, drawing algorithms, polygon drawing, anti-aliasing. Affine transformations, 2D and 3D transformations, homogenous coordinates, viewport transformations.

·                     Common procedures: Line and polygon culling algorithms in 2D and 3D. Projections. Stereoscopic vision. Z-buffering. Shadows, texture. Basic shading principles. Color.

·                     Advanced topics: Ray tracing, global illumination, motion, articulated motion, virtual reality simulations, physics-based simulations. Virtual, augmented and mixed reality.

DELIVERY
Face-to-face, Distance learning, etc.

Face-to-face

USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Use of ICT in teaching, laboratory education, communication with students

·                     Lectures using PowerPoint slides. Visual demonstration of basic concepts using videos or Mathematica scripts

·                     Problem-solving seminars for the instructive solution of typical and synthetic problems

·                     Demonstrations and implementation examples in the lab.

·                     Laboratory exercises (6-8, personal exercises). Topics: drawing, representation, transformations, shading, texture, synthetic motion

·                     Internet access to electronic version of lectures (e-class) material

·                     Possibility of design and implementation of a heavy course-assignment in the areas of the course

TEACHING METHODS

The manner and methods of teaching are described in detail.

Lectures, seminars, laboratory practice, fieldwork, study and analysis of bibliography, tutorials, placements, clinical practice, art workshop, interactive teaching, educational visits, project, essay writing, artistic creativity, etc.

The student's study hours for each learning activity are given as well as the hours of non-directed study according to the principles of the ECTS

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Description of the evaluation procedure

Language of evaluation, methods of evaluation, summative or conclusive, multiple choice questionnaires, short-answer questions, open-ended questions, problem solving, written work, essay/report, oral examination, public presentation, laboratory work, clinical examination of patient, art interpretation, other

Specifically-defined evaluation criteria are given, and if and where they are accessible to students.

·                     Obligatory delivery (electronically) and assessment of the personal deliverables of the laboratory exercises

·                     Written examination on problems and theoretical questions.

·                     Possibility of design and implementation of a heavy course-assignment in the areas of the course that substitutes the written exam. Deliverables of the course-assignment are a written report and the implementation (code). Open to all presentations of the course-assignments are also foreseen.

·                     Minimum grade for passing the course: 5.

- Suggested bibliography:

·          Θεοχάρης Θ., Πλατής Ν., Παπαϊωάννου Γ., Πατρικαλάκης Ν.: «Γραφικά και Οπτικοποίηση», Εκδόσεις Συμμετρία, 2010

·          Bakers H. «Γραφικά Υπολογιστών με Open GL», Εκδόσεις Τζιόλα, 2010.

·          Gortler S.J. «Foundations of 3D Computer Graphics», MIT Press, 2012.

·          Burdea G.C, Coiffet P. «Virtual Reality Technology», Willey-Blackwell, 2003.

·          SIGGRAPH tutorials

- Related academic journals:

·          IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics

·          ACM Transactions on Graphics