Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module COMP51315: VISUALISATION AND VR FOR DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

Department: Computer Science

COMP51315: VISUALISATION AND VR FOR DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

Content

  • Theory and practice of computer graphics: mathematics of 2D and 3D computer graphics; graphics input and output devices
  • Standards for digital imaging: still, video, graphics and VR standards; examples could include JPEG, GIF, MPEG, VRML, X3D, and Java3D
  • Visualisation methods: algorithms and data structures for visualisation; VR techniques for navigation, interaction and exploration of data
  • Group project: technical project using the latest standards to create an interactive visualisation system

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Specialist knowledge: lectures and directed reading in graphics, digital imaging standards, visualisation and VR
  • Practical design skills: group project application of knowledge to design of a substantial visualisation system
  • Management: group project, management skills exercised to plan execute and deliver working visualisation system
  • Design integration: group project will require integration of technical elements from this and other modules
  • Engineering of software systems: lectures on visualisation methods and group project; as a vehicle for advanced software engineering lifecycle techniques (e.g. RAD)
  • Professional skills: group project implementation and write up will exercise professional skills
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • The module comprises 1 week's intensive directed reading and laboratory exercises; 1 week of lectures, tutorial, and reading, and 2 weeks undertaking a major laboratory assignment. The overall workload conforms to the standard SLAT requirement of 150 hours equivalent to 15 credits.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 10 2 per day in week 2 1 hour 10 ■
      Tutorials 4 weekly 1 hour 4 ■
      Seminars 4 weekly 1 hour 4 ■
      Practicals 5 daily in week 1 6 hours 30 ■
      Laboratory 10 daily in weeks 3 and 4 6 hours 60 ■
      Preparation and Reading 42
      Total 150

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Laboratory report Component Weighting: 100%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Laboratory report 2500 words 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      Staged written feedback of laboratory and practical work by staff/demonstrators

      ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University