GOAL:     Provide the student with the understanding and ability to create 3D real-time virtual environments.

 COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• To understand the fundamental theory virtual reality software and technology.

• To understand the basic principles, concepts and vocabulary of virtual reality.

• To be able to use of virtual reality simulations as an environmental visualization tool.

• To understand the influence of virtual reality simulations on environmental design and scientific inquiry.

Lectures, Readings and Demonstrations:  The instructor will provide lectures, readings and demonstrations on subject matter related to the course and the student’s project as appropriate.  

Daily Grades & Work Log: Daily homework assignments will be given on a regular basis.  It is the instructors expectation that the student will keep a WEB based log of their coursework in this class. All homework assignments and projects are to be posted to this web site and will be graded by the instructor.  Late postings will not be accepted.  The instructor may ask the student to write and WEB publish short research or position papers as needed to clarify and advance the students learning.

Exams:  The exams will be given covering the reading assignments and class lectures. The focus will be to test the student’s understanding of vocabulary, concepts and principles covered in the course.

Individual Project: Each student be required to do a independent project utilizing the knowledge, skills and techniques you have developed in the course.  The instructor in collaboration with the student will determine appropriate content for the student to develop for this project. The student will submit for approval a project proposal and appropriate supporting documentation (photos, diagrams, drawings) in a format and style to be determined by the instructor. The focus of the project will be for you to showcase you ability to create graphic content for a virtual reality simulation that is compelling.  The student will post their project progress on their Web work log. This posting should include the project proposal and background research, verbal and visual descriptions of the student’s progress and the final submittal.

Team Project:  The majority of visualization projects are based around a multi-disciplinary team effort. The students will work with other students from Computer Science in the development and implementation of a collaborative project.  The Student Teams will work with the faculty to identify an appropriate project and submit a project proposal for approval.  The focus of the project will be for the students to demonstrate their teamwork, graphic content and programming acumen through the development of a compelling virtual reality simulation.  The student will post their project progress on their Web work log. This posting should include the project proposal and background research, verbal and visual descriptions of the student’s progress and the final submittal.

Prelim Grades: The majority of the work in this course is self-paced. The student will be required to post weekly the work progress of their projects. Biweekly the student shall make a presentation of the current state of their work to the instructor, other students and all faculty participating in the course. These prelims will be graded and averaged to create this portion of your grade. The preliminaries grade will be a 100, 75, 50 or 0 depending on the level of work demonstrated.  These preliminaries are very important and will impact your final grade. Ten (10) points (one letter grade) will be deducted from you Final Project Grade for Prelims you fail to submit on time. Prelims will not be accepted late. Therefore, it is to you best interest to turn in something for every week.