SYLLABUS — CS53000, Fall 2013

COURSE INFORMATION
INSTRUCTOR TEACHING ASSISTANT

TBA

COURSE PHILOSOPHY

Scientific Visualization is concerned with the creation of visual representations of numerical datasets obtained through measurements or computations. Research in Scientific Visualization investigates new ways to produce computer-generated images that effectively support the analysis and interpretation of large and complex data. The course provides an introduction to the principles of this discipline and describes the most prominent techniques used in practice. In particular, the course presents both basic and more advanced algorithms that support the visual representation of 2D, 3D, and time-dependent datasets corresponding to scalar, vector, and tensor attributes, as well as the depiction of non-spatial data. The lectures emphasize the practical applications of these techniques in science, engineering, and medicine.

Basic notions of computer graphics and visual perception are introduced at the beginning of the semester for completeness. Programming assignments revolving around interesting datasets offer a hands-on exposure to the most commonly used visualization techniques.

TEXTBOOK

There is no textbook for CS53000. The relevant material will be provided by the instructor. Following texts are purely optional. Do not hesitate to contact the instructor if you would like additional information about these books and their connection to the course.

PREREQUISITES

CS 251 or consent of the instructor.

EVALUATION PROJECTS

Each project involves a programming task to be implemented with the help of the Visualization Toolkit. VTK is an open source software library that provides a versatile programming infrastructure for visualization. While the library itself is written in C++, it can be used in scripting languages. Python, Tcl/Tk, Java (and of course C++) are all available options to complete the programming assignments in this course. The VTK installation contains a tutorial and a number of examples that constitute a nice introduction to the software. Beyond the implementation itself, the focus of the evaluation will be on the student’s understanding of the task and insightful use of the algorithms covered in class. All aspects of each assignment are to be completed individually!

Submission

Your project submission should include

Grading

Your project will be graded on the basis of following criteria

LATE POLICY

Projects are to be electronically submitted by the due date listed using turnin. Each student is allowed five (5) extension days, which can be applied, without penalty, to any combination of projects during the semester. After that a late penalty of 20% per day is assigned. Use of a partial day is counted as a full day. Use of extension days (including number) must be stated explicitly in the subject line of an email to the instructor, otherwise late penalties apply. Extensions cannot be used after the final day of classes (December 7, 2013). Extension days cannot be rearranged after they are applied to a submission. Use them wisely! Assignments will NOT be accepted if they are more than five days late (regardless of whether extension days are applied to that particular assignment or not). Additional extensions are granted only due to serious and properly documented medical or family emergencies.

EXAMS Format Material COURSE SCHEDULE

**The following schedule is tentative. Adjustments will be made as necessary.


Week
Dates
Topic
 Assignment/Notes
1
Aug 20-22
 Overview / Graphics Primer / Introduction to VTK Project 0 handed out. It is optional and only intended to help you check your installation of VTK
2
Aug 27-29
 Data Representation  
3
Sep 3-5
 Human Vision / Color Perception Project 1 will be handed out (Topic: Data representation, color mapping, and interactivity)
4
Sep 10-12
 Color Mapping  
5
Sep 17-19
 Isosurfaces Project 1 due. Project 2 handed out (Topic: Isosurfaces)
6
Sep 24-26
 Volume Visualization: Volume Rendering  
7
Oct 1-3
 Volume Visualization: Transfer Functions Project 2 due: Project 3 handed out (Topic: Volume rendering and transfer functions)
8
Oct 8-10
 Midterm Exam No class on October 8: October break
9
Oct 15-17
 Vector Visualization: Basic Techniques  
10
Oct 22-24
 Vector Visualization: Dense Techniques Project 3 due. Project 4 handed out (Topic: Vector visualization)
11
Oct 29-31
 Tensor Visualization  
12
Nov 5-7
 Information Visualization Project 5 handed out (Topic: Tensor visualization)
13
Nov 12-14
 Topological Methods in Visualization  
14
Nov 19-21
 Visualization in Medicine Project 5 due.
15
Nov 26-28
 Selected Topic (TBA) No class on November 28: Thanksgiving Vacations
16
Dec 3-5
 Selected Topic (TBA) / Final Review Dead Week
17
Dec 9-14
 Final Exam Week Date and location of final exam TBA

COURSE POLICIES

Refer to Gene Spafford’s web page. The principles and rules described therein apply to CS53000.

COURSE RESOURCES COUNSELING

If you are experiencing personal problems or stress, Purdue provides counseling services through the Purdue CAPS Center. See https://www.purdue.edu/CAPS/ for more details.

CAMPUS EMERGENCIES

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances beyond the instructor’s control. Here are ways to get information about changes in this course.