LTEC 3220
Dr. Cox
Computer Graphics
Fall 2010
Syllabus
Moodle
This course is using Moodle for course discussion, exams, and assignment posting. Be sure to login into the LT moodle and select the course you are registered for. The moodle section might not be available until the first day of the course.
Instructor
See the moodle course for instructor contact information.
Texts
Adobe® Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book
ISBN Web 13: 978-0-321-61834-4
Available online via UNT Library (use your EUID for access)
Software
This course will focus on using Adobe Photoshop since it is currently one of the primary standards.
You can download and start using Photoshop from Adobe for 30 days while you are waiting for your license purchase to arrive. You must have a valid license after the 30 days to continue to use the full trial.
Note: If you are planning on taking more than one CECS/LTEC course (i.e. web authoring, computer graphics, media design, instructional systems design, etc) we suggest that you buy the ADOBE® CREATIVE SUITE DESIGN PREMIUM package which includes InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Acrobat 9 Pro, and more. It is less expensive to buy this package that includes all the software than buy individual software licenses for each course.
You can buy Photohop from journeyed (below), at the UNT bookstore, or other locations on the web.
- Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5 Student Edition Windows - $199
- Adobe Photoshop Extended CS5 Student Edition Macintosh - $199
The normal sales price for this software is $999, so the student price is an $800 discount.
Photoshop is available for student use in the LT ECRL
Pre-Requisite
None
Course Description
Application of computer graphics to the preparation and presentation of mediated materials. Includes principles of graphics communication, concepts in computer graphics, graphics input systems, graphics manipulation software and graphics output systems.
Course Requirements
There will be assigned homework problems. Design projects will require the students to spend time at the computer. To plan a minimum of six to nine hours a week (in a normal semester) of outside preparation is a safe time allocation for successfully completing this course.
Server Space
The course will be using classes.lt.unt.edu for assignment upload and presentation. The instructor will provide additional details on using the server.
If you have problems getting to the classes.lt.unt.edu page check the following solutions depending on your browser Internet Explorer or Firefox.
Course Topics and Objectives
The goal of this course is to prepare students in the mechanics and design of computer-based graphic images. This course is a necessary foundation for those interested in developing multi-media, web pages, or computer presentations. The course will emphasize the importance of various file format mechanics and how those file formats influence presentation outcomes.
The content of the course will emphasize basic design techniques, use of color, fonts, artwork, etc to enhance the intended message. The student will demonstrate mastery of the concepts by creating images and other products. While the course should not be considered a "how to do" power point or photoshop, these applications will be the primary tools used in the course along with some others. It should be noted that the course is not a message design course, but it is a course that will require mastery of the design of graphic messages.
Other topics will include text design, image acquisition and manipulation, format conversions, 3D graphics, and others as time allows.
- Create computer graphic projects utilizing accepted design practices.
- Describe major color theories related to computer graphics.
- Describe the difference between vector and bitmapped graphics.
- Identify various graphic file formats.
- Convert one graphic format to another.
- Demonstrate competence in the design of text for computer graphics.
- Demonstrate competence in the application of text, clip art, and photo images.
- Demonstrate competence in the manipulation of photo images.
- Create graphics related to Internet and web applications.
- Create cell animation.
- Create graphics appropriate for inclusion in printed documents, screen backgrounds, and web pages.
- Be able to share (upload and download) graphic files using secure means.
Grading
The class lectures will cover the assigned reading materials. Selected topics and assigned projects will also be discussed in class.
A total of 100 points for the course will be allocated as follows
| 4 Quizs | 40 points |
| 5 Assignments | 60 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Letter grades will be the higher grade resulting from the following two standards:
| >=90 | A | Top 10% | A | |
| >=80<90 | B | Next 20% | B | |
| >=70<80 | C | Next 40% | C | |
| >=60<70 | D | Next 20% | D | |
| <=59 | F | Last 10% | F | |
Homework
- Homework will result in projects uploaded for review to the course server. Projects are expected to contain the elements required in the assignment. See the assignments for full details and requirements.
- This course uses a hybrid-mastery learning approach*. Thus, students get more than one opportunity to show that they can master the materials required in assignments. Students may choose to redo assignments that do not meet 100% of the assignment requirements at the due date.
- Assignments are due on the date assigned.
- Assignments that are not present (no project) will be assigned a grade of 0 (zero) and cannot be redone.
- Assignments that are present, but do not meet 100% of the requirements will be assigned a grade of 50% (grade points to be rounded down).
- Students may elect to correct assignments and resubmit for a re-grade. Resubmits are available as follows:
- Assignment 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 - two times
- Assignment 4 - no redos
- All assignment redos must be resubmitted by the time of the next assignment due date, unless the student has made prior arrangements with the instructor.
- Resubmitted homework when corrected and meets the assignment requirements will count 80% of the original points (grade points to be rounded down).
- Resubmitted assignments are typically graded with the next due assignment, except for the final project assignment. There is no redo for the final project assignment.
- Discussion Assignments
- Assignment Postings are due the day of the assignment due date. No redos are allowed on assignment postings.
- Replies to assignment postings can be made up to three days after the due date of the assignment.
- Discussion postings can be made before the due date of the discussion assignment.
- Any assignments not turned in by the date of the final assignment will be assigned a grade of zero, unless the student has made prior arrangements with the instructor.
- Students are encouraged to carefully check the logic and the output of their programs before submitting them for review and grading.
Meeting Information
The instructor may schedule online sessions as needed during the course. The course will be using Adobe Connect Pro and there is a short tutorial available on its use. See the course management system for details.
Class Attendance
Participation and punctuality are professional behaviors expected. Educational or Instructional technology is not "doing computer projects" - it is much more. Hence, you need to be involved in class discussions and learning activities. Student may be dropped from the course, with notice from the instructor, due to lack of particpation or non-attendance online.
Due dates, for all assigned materials, will be announced in advance. Changes, on the assignment's requirements or due dates may be announced at later dates, in class forums, therefore reading the class forums is required. It is the student's responsibility to keep up with these updates and to have all assignments ready on time.
You must notify your instructor in advance if any exam is to be missed. If an exam is missed without prior notification, 20% will automatically be deducted from the exam grade.
Mastery Learning Note
As discussed above, this class uses a hybrid mastery learning approach. As students take the course they are given assignments which allow them to show their mastery of the materials being covered. In a pure mastery learning approach, we would hold off on proceeding to the next assignment until all students had shown mastery and at worse case, students falling behind would be held back until a later course. Since this isn't possible in a college course, this hybrid approach expects students to meet the goals of each assignment and then grades are assigned based on their mastery. Students can then decide if they wish to improve their mastersy (as reflected in their grade) or continue on to the next assignment to show their level of mastery on the next assignments content. While the assignments build on one another, students can show less mastery in one assignment and still show better mastery in a proceeding assignment.
UNT POLICIES
Academic Dishonesty and Integrity
Refer to the UNT Student Rights and Responsibilities Academic Dishonesty and Integrity. These include:
- Cheating intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
- Plagiarism the deliberate adoption or reproduction of ideas, words or statements of another person as one's own without acknowledgement.
- Fabrication intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
- Facilitating academic dishonesty intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate a provision of the institutional code of academic integrity.
You are encouraged to become familiar with the University's Policy of Academic dishonesty found in the Student Handbook.
ADA Policy
The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found here. Also, you may visit the Office of Disability Accommodation in the University Union (room 321) or call them at (940) 565-4323.
Add/Drop Policy
Refer to the UNT Office of the Registrar concerning Add/Drop Periods for this semester.
Important Notice for F-1 Students taking Distance Education Courses
Federal Regulation
To read detailed Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations for F-1 students taking online courses, please go to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations website. The specific portion concerning distance education courses is located at "Title 8 CFR 214.2 Paragraph (f)(6)(i)(G)" and can be found buried within this document: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=8&PART=214&SECTION=2&TYPE=TEXT
The paragraph reads:
(G) For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken on-line or through distance education and does not require the student's physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An on-line or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. If the F-1 student's course of study is in a language study program, no on-line or distance education classes may be considered to count toward a student's full course of study requirement.
University of North Texas Compliance
An F-1 visa holder within the United States may need to engage in an on-campus experiential component for this course to maintain compliance.
It is the student's responsibility to do the following:
- Submit a written request to the instructor for an on-campus experiential component within one week of the start of the course.
- Ensure that the activity on campus takes place and the instructor documents it in writing with a notice sent to the International Student and Scholar Services Office using appropriate ISSS form available.
Because the decision may have serious immigration consequences, if an F-1 student is unsure about his or her need to participate in an on-campus experiential component for this course, s/he should contact the UNT International Student and Scholar Services Office (telephone 940-565-2195 or email internationaladvising@unt.edu) to get clarification before the one-week deadline.