# Schedule


Welcome to CS559! Computer Graphics is how we use computers to make pictures. This class is about how to program computers to draw. It is not about what pictures you should draw (that's art). The class is about how you program picture making, not how you use tools to make pictures. This class is how to write graphics programs not about how to use them.

Section 1 information: Link
Section 2 website: Link

Week Date Lectures Workbooks
1 Sep 3 Introduction, 2D Drawing -
2 Sep 8, 10 Coordinate Systems and Transformations -
3 Sep 15, 17 Transformation Math and 2D Shapes -
4 Sep 22, 24 2D Curves, Splines -
5 Sep 29, 1 Intro to 3D, 3D Basics -
6 Oct 6, 8 3D Transformations, 3D Rotations -
7 Oct 13, 15 Shapes in 3D, Skinning and Morphing -
8 Oct 20, 22 Meshes, Texture, and Lighting -
9 Oct 27, 29 More Texture, How 3D Drawing Works -
10 Nov 3, 5 Graphics Hardware, Shaders -
11 Nov 10, 12 Lighting Math, Anti-Aliasing, Perlin Noise -
12 Nov 17, 19 Particle System Optimization, Animation System -
13 Nov 24 Motion Capture, Cloth Simulation -
14 Dec 1, 3 High Quality Rendering, Ray Tracing -
15 Dec 8, 10 Project Presentations -


📗 The lectures will be in-person and recorded on Zoom.
📗 Example of past projects: Link.
📗 Textbooks: Fundamentals of Computer Graphics, 5th Edition: Link, and Real-Time Rendering, 4th Edition: Link.

# Grading Scheme (Subject to Change)


Component Frequency Number Points Each Total
(Q) In-class Quiz Weekly 15 1 15
(W) Workbook Biweekly 7 10 70
(P) Project One 1 10 10
(I) Presentation or Interview One 1 5 5


📗 The in-class quizzes must be completed during the lectures, either in person or on Zoom.
📗 Project presentation (live during lecture or pre-recorded) will be rated by other students and the course staff. Project interviews will be conducted and rated by course staff.

From To Letter Grade
91 100 A
86 90 AB
81 85 B
76 80 BC
71 75 C
61 70 D


📗 There will be no curves or adjustments to the final grades.

# Course Websites and Forms


📗 This webpage (for lecture notes).
📗 Course website (for admin): Link
📗 Canvas (for grades): Link.
📗 TopHat (for quizzes): Link.
📗 Piazza (for discussion): Link.
📗 Lecture Zoom: Zoom.

📗 Consulting Hours Form: Form.
📗 Individual Appointment Form: Form.
📗 Workbook Regrade Form: Form.
📗 Late Submission Form: Form.

📗 Past semesters: Link.
📗 Professor Michael Gleicher: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2015, 2014, 2010.
📗 Professor Eftychios Sifakis: Link, 2018.





Last Updated: April 18, 2026 at 2:43 AM