SYLLABUS

Bowie State University

School of Arts and Sciences

Department of Computer Science

                       

COSC 729/490:  Selected Topics in COSC: Virtual Reality and its Applications

Spring Semester 2011

 

INSTRUCTOR:                                  Dr. Sharad Sharma

CLASS HOURS:                               Tuesday: 7:30PM 10:00PM CSB 312

OFFICE HOURS:                               Tuesday: 4:30 – 7:30 PM, or by appointment

OFFICE LOCATION:                       Computer Science Building, Room 317

E-MAIL:                                             ssharma@bowiestate.edu 

COURSE WEBSITE:                         http://www.cs.bowiestate.edu/sharad/vrml/

 

Required Text:     Burdea, Grigore C., and Coiffet, Philippe.  Virtual Reality Technology, 2nd ed.  Wiley-Interscience, 2003

    

Reference Book(s):

1.        Sherman, William R., and Craig, Alan B., Understanding Virtual Reality: Interface, Application, and Design, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2003.

2.        Roy S. Kalawsky: The Science of Virtual Reality and Virtual Environments, Addison-Wesley, 1994, ISBN 0-201-63171-7

3.        Kelly L. Murdock, 3ds Max 8 Bible, Addison-Wesley, 2008,  ISBN: 978-0-471-78618-4

4.        Jed Hartman, Josie Wernecke, Rick Carey: The VRML 2.0 Handbook - Building Moving Worlds on the Web, Addison-Wesley, 1996, ISBN 0-201-47944-3

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

The goal of this course is to introduce students to Virtual Reality (VR) hardware, software, and provide an opportunity for them to apply this knowledge to applications for education and games. This course applies cutting-edge VR technology currently available in academia and industry. Students will design, model, and script the VR environment by developing a complete VR application as a group project.

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TEACHING MODES

 

Traditional classroom instruction involving in-class lectures/demonstrations and laboratory assignments. Pertinent course documents, assignments, grades and special announcements will be posted on the course website.  This will be supplemented by lecture demonstrations for modeling and scripting VR environment.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

The course will focus on applications of Virtual Reality (VR) and provide 3 D modeling and VRML scripting exposure. VR is a tool and an interface of interaction between people and information technology by offering new ways of communication, interaction, visualization, and expression of ideas. At the end of this course, students will be able to

  • Understand the basic principles of VR.
  • Describe the historical development of VR.
  • Understand potentials and limits of VR
  • Understand the process of creating virtual environments.
  • Identify and describe applications for current virtual reality hardware and software.
  • Design and develop a complete VR application through group projects.

 

 

 

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

 

25-Jan

Introduction

Assignment 1: 3D Max

Due: 8 Feb

1-Feb

Virtual Reality Input Devices/3DMax

 

8-Feb

Virtual Reality Output Devices

  Assignment 2: 3D Max

Due: 15 Feb

15-Feb

Virtual Reality Output Devices

Assignment 3: 3D Max

Due: 1 March

22-Feb

Geometric Modeling Principles for VR

Assignment 4: VRML Due: 8 Mar

1-Mar

Computer Graphics Principles for VR

Due: Assignment 3

8-Mar

Programming in VR

  Assignment 5: VRML, Due: 29 Mar

15-Mar

Mid Term Exam

 

22-Mar

Spring Break

 

 

29-Mar

Open Lab/Project Proposal Presentation

  Due: Project Proposal Report & Presentation

5-Apr

Human Factors in VR

 

12-Apr

Human Factors in VR

Mid Project Demo 1

19-Apr

Traditional Applications in VR

 

26-Apr

Emerging Applications in VR

  Mid Project Demo 2

3-May

Traditional Applications: Emerging Applications (Cont/-)

Due date for Report

10-May

Group Project Presentations/ Demo, Presentations.

  Due date for Project

17-May

Final Exam

 

 

 

         GRADES

 

90-100%                 A

80-89%                   B

70-79%                   C

60-69%                   D

Less than 60%      F
 
GRADING CRITERIA: The overall grades will be determined based on a combination of tests, projects, and attendance/attentiveness as described below:

 

 

Assignments (5)                                                    30%

Mid-term Exam                                                       20%

Group Project (1)                                                   30%

Final Exam (Comprehensive)                               20%

  

 

Group Projects: A major part of this course is the group project. Lectures will prepare the class for the development of VR applications in any area. Groups of 2 to 4 students will select a topic of their own choice and submit a project proposal for evaluation and approval by the teaching instructor. The groups will then develop a complete VR application, and demonstrate the application to the class. The project topics are determined by the creativity and imagination of the students. Project deliverables and related due dates are explained in detail on the course website. Each project will be graded as follows:

  • Presentation to class --- 20%
  • Demonstration to teaching instructor & staff --- 60%
  • Project report --- 20%

The project grade for each group member may be modified by taking into account a member's contribution to the project. Projects, Mid-term and Final exams are mandatory.  Mid-term will not include the grades of projects.                    

 

* There will be no make-ups for Mid-term Exam and Final Exam.

* Late submissions for assignments/homework:  10 marks will be deducted every day until submission.

* Any changes to the above will be posted on the course website.

* Exams are given in the class room during class time.
* Exams are closed notes, closed book, open mind.

 

SPECIFIC STUDENT REQUIREMENTS:

 

1.                    Students are expected to maintain regular attendance at class/Labs and examination periods.  If a student misses a test (with an excused absence), it is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor for make-up.  Generally make-ups are permitted only in emergency and special situations and within a week of the test.

2.                    Students will be expected to finish their homework/assignments before coming to the class.

3.                    Students may need to spend a fair amount of time outside class to work on the projects.

4.                    Each student can choose their own hardware/software to work on the computer projects.  However, if they choose to use an off campus facility, they should be able to demonstrate the run session on campus.

5.                    Students are responsible for making up all assignments missed because of excused absences.

6.                All homework and assignments are to be turned in on or before the due date, even if class is cancelled for any reason or you are not able to attend class. Assignments may be submitted in class, slipped under my office door, or given to me during my office hours. It is each individual student's responsibility to submit homework and assignments on time.                  

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

Students are expected to maintain regular attendance.  After three unexcused absences, students will be referred to the chairperson. Students are responsible for updating themselves with any changes to the contents of the syllabus that the instructor brings to the attention of the class.

 

ADA Statement:  Students with disabilities who wish to receive ADA accommodations should report to the Office of Special Populations, Martin Luther King Building, Room 136 (301-860-3292).

 

Cheating, copying: Any assignment that looks like it was copied, in whole or in part, from another student, an assignment from another term, a program on the web, etc. will receive a 0.

 

Policy on Cell Phones, etc.

The ringers of cell phones, pagers and any other electronic devices must be turned OFF or set to vibrate during class time. Only calls of an urgent or emergency nature should be taken and you should step outside the classroom to do so. If you do not observe this policy, you may be asked to leave the class for that day and an unexcused absence will be incurred.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Please take your English Proficiency Examination as early as possible!

After completing ENGL 101 and ENGL 102, students must take and successfully pass the Bowie State University English Proficiency Examination. Transfer students who completed their English composition requirements at another university should take the English Proficiency Examination during their first semester of enrollment at the University.

 

CLASS CANCELLATIONS

Classes will be cancelled when University is closed due to inclement weather, which will be announced over public radios/TV or through campus information (301-860-4000) or public safety (301-860-4040).


IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Dept of Comp Sc (Secretary):                           (301) 860-3960

Dept of Comp Sc (Fax):                                        (301) 860-3979

Bowie State University (Main):                          (301) 860 4000

In case of inclement weather (snow etc.) please call (301) 860 4040 to find out if the university is open.