This course examines current topics in Computer Graphics. This is intended to allow faculty to pilot potential new undergraduate offerings. Specific course details (such as prerequisites, course seminar, format, learning outcomes, assessment methods, and resource needs) will be determined by the faculty member(s) who propose a specific seminar course in this area. Specific course instances will be identified as belonging to the Computer Graphics and Visualization cluster.

Foundations of Computer Graphics is a study of the hardware and software principles of interactive raster graphics. Topics include an introduction to the basic concepts, 2-D and 3-D modeling and transformations, viewing transformations, projections, rendering techniques, graphical software packages and graphics systems. The course will focus on rasterization techniques and emphasize the hardware rasterization pipeline including the use of hardware shaders. Students will use a standard computer graphics API to reinforce concepts and study fundamental computer graphics algorithms. Programming projects and a survey of the current graphics literature will be required. Note: students who complete CSCI-510 may not take CSCI-610 for credit.

This course will investigate the theory of global illumination (GI) in computer image synthesis. Seminal computer graphics papers will be used to explore the various components of the GI pipeline and explain how the path of light in a virtual scene can be simulated and used to create photorealistic imagery. The course will emphasize the theory behind various GI rendering tools and libraries available for image synthesis. The student will put theory into practice via a set of programming assignments and a capstone project. Topics will include light and color, three-dimensional scene specification, camera models, surface materials and textures, GI rendering methods, procedural shading, tone reproduction, and advanced rendering techniques. Readings and summaries of Computer Graphics literature will be required.

This course will investigate the application of virtual reality software and technology within a given domain. Working in sets of technical teams, students will collectively investigate and solve a large-scale visualization task within that problem domain. Focus of individual student teams may include (but is not limited to) distributed VR framework, viewing applications, interaction with VR devices / displays, and audio in virtual environments. Students will be required to read and summarize selected articles from VR literature, as well as papers specific to the problem domain being investigated, to assist in making design decisions. A report or survey of one aspect of using a virtual reality system within the given domain is also required. Students should have a strong programming background and a proficiency in a 3D API (OpenGL, DirectX, or Java3D). Students with expertise in distributed systems and an interest in Graphics or virtual reality are also encouraged to register. Offered every other year.

This interdisciplinary course is designed for College of Art and Design and Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences students to work in collaboration to produce a semester long interactive music project. The students will work with upcoming young musicians in the Rochester area in teams consisting of programmers, designers, CG artists, photographers, and filmmakers, depending on class enrollment. The students will examine how digital technology is changing the way we experience and consume music. Students are introduced to the resources and tools necessary to produce an interactive music experience while working with professional musicians.