Considerations in teaching a two quarter computer graphics sequence

Abstract

With the increasing emphasis on the use of Computer Graphics in Computer Science and other application areas, more schools are beginning to offer advanced courses in Computer Graphics, either at the undergraduate or the graduate level. Whereas there are many good textbooks for an introductory course the same is not true for an advanced course, The course content and external references for such a second course are in a state of rapid flux. The content of the second course also directly affects the content of the first course. Another issue is how many tools, in the sense of a graphics software support package, to provide for the students. This paper discusses the author's experiences in teaching both an introductory and a second Computer Graphics course for several years, how his courses have changed, and his recommendations both for course content and reference material.