CSC 188 – Syllabus

Course Instructor: Paul Young
Office: C224A, Parkland College
Phone: 217-351-2403
E-mail: pyoung@parkland.edu

 

Introduction
This is the second in a series of three courses in 3D computer animation.  This course instructs students in the artistic and technical elements associated with creating three-dimensional computer animation.  Concepts include the fundamentals and perception of moving imagery, cinematography and film techniques, and the description, editing, application, and the basics of creating motion in 3D computer animation.  Concepts are taught using Maya from Alias, the same commercial software system(s) used by professionals in the industry.  This course is meant to provide the student with direct hands-on experience and as such will be organized and taught within a studio environment.  Parkland College is an authorized Maya academic provider. Prerequisites: CSC 187

Time/Place
Section 002: 3:30 - 5:50 TR
Parkland College, Room D227

Textbook     
Course Class Notes (required) - On-line class web page
Learning Maya Foundation (required) - Parkland College Bookstore

Web Page
Information regarding the class including instructor, syllabus, schedules, notes, and project information can be accessed from the class web page by either following the CSC 188 link from the instructor's home page at: http://virtual.parkland.edu/pyoung or directly at http://virtual.parkland.edu/pyoung/csc/188

Format
This class is based on a format of lecture, discussion, studio, and critique.  It is expected that additional time, on a weekly basis, will be spent on your assignments and projects.  It is also expected that students read, review, and practice material in the course lecture notes assigned for each session before coming to class.  It is important that the group functions as a class, learning from each other as well as the instructor.  Therefore, everyone should be working on the same assignments at the same time.  Understanding that there might be technical expertise differences, it is expected that more experienced users will be willing to help beginning users with the software.  Conversely, more experienced users should elicit creative evaluations from beginning users during their working process.

Grading
Course work will consist of large-scale project assignments and smaller exercises and tutorials.  The final grade will also reflect the student's class attendance and participation.

Projects

70%

Exercises

30%

Total

100%

A = 100-91 (exceptional work beyond the class requirements)
B = 90-81 (excellent technical and creative abilities exhibited)
C = 80-71 (all work accomplished on time and minimum goals achieved)
D = 70-61 (minimum goals not achieved, late presentations)
F = 60 or less (failure to finish assignments or doing "D" work late)

The instructor reserves the right to lower these criterion, but will never raise them.

 

Exercises/Tutorials/Studies
Exercises, tutorials, and small-scale studies will be given to introduce and develop the student's understanding, proficiency, and operation of the animation software.  Exercises/tutorials/studies will be graded on a credit/no credit basis.  No credit will be given on exercises or tutorials for students absent from class.  Since unforeseen circumstances may arise preventing a student from attending class, one "no-credit" exercise/tutorial will be dropped from the final grade determination.   All exercises/tutorials/studies are due on the assigned due date.  No credit will be given for work not completed by the assigned due date.

Projects
Projects will be regularly assigned to apply the concepts discussed in lecture and introduced in exercises and tutorials.  Project assignments form the basis of the student's portfolio work in 3D computer generated imagery.  Given this importance, projects will be graded on the use of

Projects are due on the assigned project due date and will be class critiqued on the due date.  Project imagery must be complete and stored in the designated location on the due date before class critique begins.   Students will not be allowed to complete projects during class critique.  Projects not completed by the due date before class critique begins will receive an F for the project grade.  If a student anticipates missing class during the due date and class critique, it is the student's responsibility to notify the instructor beforehand.    The absent student must have their project imagery prepared for the class critique in the designated location on the assigned due date.   Failure to prepare project imagery by an absent student will also result in an F project grade.   Students have the option of continuing to work on and improve each project after the assigned due date and class critique for (possibly) a better grade.   Grades for re-worked projects will be no more than one full letter grade higher than the original project grade at the assigned due date (re-worked project grades will never drop in grade).   All re-worked projects are due at the end of the semester.

Attendance
Students are expected to be present for all class sessions - for the entire period.  Structured as an art studio class, peer learning and interaction is highly encouraged.  It is expected that all students participate in this studio learning environment.  For this reason, attendance is mandatory.  A student’s final grade will be lowered by one full letter grade after three unexcused absences.  Attendance will be taken promptly at the beginning of each period.  It is your responsibility to inform the instructor when you may not be in attendance.  The attendance policy in this course is in keeping with the policy stated in the Parkland College Catalog.  It says: "Regular and prompt attendance is expected at all classes," expect in cases involving illness or emergency which should be brought to the attention of the instructor.  "Regular attendance and consistent study habits are considered necessary for academic success in college. Faculty members have prerogative of lowering grades for excessive absence."

 

Computer Science and Information Technology website
You can find information about the Computer Science and Information Technology Department courses and programs by visiting our website: http://www.parkland.edu/csit.html

 

College Orientation
Orientation to College (ORN 101) is a class that anyone can benefit from taking - it covers goal-setting, career development, study strategies, library skills, time management and many other useful skills. Most sections begin the second or third week of the semester and at mid-semester. If you have any questions, please contact Ted Powers (Ext. 2312).

 

Student E-mail
Students should access their Parkland e-mail accounts at http://stu.parkland.edu/ at least weekly to obtain information about courses or college announcements.  Students can go to the information desk or call 217-351-2561 for help with their student e-mail accounts.  There is someone available at this number to answer questions from 2-4pm M, T, W, F.

 

Academic Honesty
Unethical conduct during examinations of in preparation of assignments designated by the instructor will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.  All material handed in with your name on it is to be your work. If it is not you will fail that assignment and will be faced with disciplinary action.

 

Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to monitor his/her progress in this course. If after consulting with the instructor, the student feels it becomes necessary to withdraw from this course, it is the responsibility of the student to do so. Please check with the office of admission to find out the final day for withdrawal with “W” grade from courses ending at midterm. If you have questions about the withdrawal procedure, see your Parkland College catalog.

 

ADA Statement
If you feel you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (including special testing, auxiliary aids, non traditional instructional formats), please inform the instructor as soon as possible and/or contact one of the following for assistance: