Syllabus for SSE 643

Advanced Graphic Interfaces

Spring Semester 2010 (10S)

Instructor: Dr. Paul E. MacNeil

Office:       Suite 223a, School of Engineering

Phone:       478-301-2185

                  478-301-2732

Email:        macneil_pe@mercer.edu

Textbooks and Supplies:

This syllabus presents four options. The option you select will have a large influence on your experience in this course. Please read the sections on Texts and Software (immediately below) before you make your selection. The four options are:

1. Java using the Java3D framework. This is the only option that has a langauge-specific text. You will have to search the internet for some of the resources you will need.
2. Java using the JMonkeyEngine facility. Read http://www.jmonkeyengine.com/wiki/doku.php/chapter_1_-_getting_started before selecting this option. Tutorial materials are available online.
3. C# using the XNA framework 3.1 and Visual C# 2008 Express Edition (not the 2010 beta!). Tutorial materials are available online.
4. C++ using Dark GDL and Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition (not the 2010 beta!). Tutorial materials are available online.

Texts (including web sites):

• "Game Design " (1st ed.) by Thompson et al., Wiley, ISBN 0471968943 (Required) Check Out This Text
• Killer Game Programming in Java (1st ed.) , by Andrew Davison, O'Reilly Media, Inc., ISBN 0596007302 (2005) Check Out This Text at Amazon.com (Required if you are programming in Java using Java3D; if you are programming in C# or C++, or in Java using JMonkeyEngine, you will use other sources.)

Back to Top

Software (including web sites):

• An Internet ftp client of your choice.  Core FTP LE is free and works well http://www.coreftp.com/ .  (Required, but your choice)
• The Java 3D framework (for the Java3D option)- free download - https://java3d.dev.java.net/ (Java SDK required), or
• JMonkeyEngine (for the JMonkeyEngine option)- free download - http://www.jmonkeyengine.com/ (Java SDK required), or
• XNA/Visual Studio C# (for the C# option)- http://creators.xna.com/en-US/ which is used with Visual Studio C# 2008, or
• Dark GDK/Visual Studio C++ (for the C++option) - http://gdk.thegamecreators.com/ , which is used with Visual Studio C++ 2008.
• The Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/express/product/default.aspx

Other Useful Resources (including web sites):

• Microsoft XNA Development Center

Catalog Description (Course Purpose):

The development of graphic user interfaces more sophisticated than those covered in the prerequisite course. Development environments and application libraries specifically designed for interface development may be included. Topics may vary significantly depending on the student's choice of programming language (e.g., C#, C++, or Java).

Please note that this course is conducted *asynchronously* with regard to the face-to-face class meeting schedule. That is, the course begins on January 12, 2010, for *all* students.

Course Objectives:

Breadth and Depth in Defining, Analyzing, and Solving Complex Problems:

• After successfully completing this course, you should be able to demonstrate a basic capability to apply advanced graphic interface development techniques to solve complex problems.

Communicate Technical Aspects of the Solution for Complex Software Engineering Problems to a Technical Audience:

• After successfully completing this course, you should be able to demonstrate a basic ability to communicate regarding the application of advanced graphic interface development techniques to a technical audience.

Prerequisites:

SSE 550 or permission of the program director.

Class Location:

• The Macon face-to-face meetings take place in the Engineering Building Room 216b. (Directions to the Macon campus, and a map of the Macon campus can be found at  http://www2.mercer.edu/Admissions/macon.html and  http://www2.mercer.edu/About_Mercer/MaconMap/default.htm [look for Building 34 on the map], respectively.)
• The Online Learning asynchronous "meetings" take place in Cyberspace; i.e., on the Internet.

Grading:

Credit will be given only for original work.

More information about grading is contained in the recently-updated General Project Rubric.

Back to Top

Assignments:

• Purpose of projects:
• Use the projects to develop your capabilities, and
• Use the projects to demonstrate your capabilities.
• Study the assigned book(s) and other assigned documentation/tutorials, and try out some of the examples from them; this work is _not_ part of any project. Then grow your capabilities by doing projects that build on these capabilities.
• Deliverables for all projects:
• Your report should be organized in such a way as to make the topics that you want credit for covering easy to find, and demonstrate your capabilities clearly and convincingly. Everything you want considered for credit, including code and tests (including test results), should be included in the report.
• Each project can be a single, integrated project that tries to actually do something, or a collection of exercises that demonstrate your capabilities but don't accomplish anything else, or any combination of these two alternatives that you find convenient.
• You may include other material outside of the report, if you wish, but this material may or may not be considered in evaluating your work.
• For each capability that you demonstrate within a report or major section of that report, you may present only the final result of your work; you need not demonstrate every step in the development of that result.
• Some suggestions for doing a project are contained in the One Way to Do a Project page.

• Project Delivery

• Project 1 may be delivered entirely via the FTP site (which will be announced when it is ready), or you may deliver your Project 1 report via the wiki, with any supporting material submitted via the FTP site.

• The Project 2 and 3 reports will be delivered via the course wiki, so use Project 1 to learn how to use the wiki.

• Project 1 (solo):

• Part 1: Advanced Graphic Interfaces

  • Java Options: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the topics covered in Chapters 1 through 13 of the (Java) text for Option 1, or (Option 2) develop an appropriate plan for using JMonkeyEngine to develop your capabilities, and complete the first third of your approved plan. Submit your plan early, please, for review.
  • C# Option: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in topics covered in the XNA Game Studio Express Documentation. Use the course listserv and /or threaded discussion capability to report your intended project scope, and to help to manage that scope.
  • C++ Option: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the topics covered in Tutorials 1 through 3 of the (Dark GDK) documentation. Use the course listserv and /or threaded discussion capability to report your intended project scope, and to help to manage that scope.
  • TBD.

• Part 2 Web 2.0/Wiki

  • Learn to edit pages for our wiki, so that you will be able to collaborate on and deliver your Project 2 and 3 reports at the appropriate time. See the wiki page.

  • Document your learning and accomplishments with wiki development in screen shots, and include this documentation in your Project 1 report.

  • Retain this documentation at least until you graduate, in case you need it for a later course.

  • Project 1 may be delivered entirely via the FTP site (which will be announced when it is ready).

  • The Project 2 and 3 reports will be delivered via the course wiki, so use Project 1 to learn how to use the wiki.

• Project 1 is not complete, and Part 1 will be not be graded, until Part 2 is acceptable.

• Project 2 (solo):
• Java Options:Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the topics covered in Chapters 14 through 28 of the text (Option 1), or (Option 2) complete the second third of your approved plan.
• C# Options: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in topics covered in the XNA Game Studio Express Documentation and/or other sources (c.f., the Microsoft XNA Development Center ). Use the course listserv and /or threaded discussion capability to report your intended project scope, and to help to manage that scope.
• C++ Option: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the topics covered in Tutorials 4 and 5 of the (Dark GDK) documentation. Use the course listserv and /or threaded discussion capability to report your intended project scope, and to help to manage that scope.
• TBD.
• Project 3 (team):
• Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the topics covered in the texts/documentation.
• Java Options: Option 1: The capabilities and topic (from the text) that you develop and demonstrate in this project may or may not include the capabilities/topicsDistance covered in Chapters 29 through 32 and/or the Appendices of the text, but should clearly and explicitly demonstrate capabilities that you did not demonstrate in the earlier projects. Option 2: Complete the last third of your approved plan.
• C# Option: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in topics covered in the XNA Game Studio Express Documentation and/or other sources (c.f., the Microsoft XNA Development Center ). Use the course listserv and /or threaded discussion capability to report your intended project scope, and to help to manage that scope.
• C++ Option: Develop and demonstrate your capabilities in the topics covered in Tutorials 6 and 7 of the (Dark GDK) documentation. Use the course listserv and /or threaded discussion capability to report your intended project scope, and to help to manage that scope.
• You may form your own teams. Announce your team's composition via the course listserv.
• Two person teams are strongly prefered; three person teams require the prior written (email is okay) approval of the professor.
• TBD
• Please raise questions and issues via the course listserv.

Additional Information:

• Asynchronous Learning Nets (ALNs)

• Self Study: You study the texts and any other course study material on your own.

• Collaborative Projects: After your self-study, you collaborate (via the Internet [wiki,email, ftp]) with your partner(s) to produce a team product. Your collaborative work is substantial, asynchronous, and rapid.

Back to Top

• Subscribe to the course email listserv and be able to access our wiki and FTP server (after it has been announced).

• Study the assigned material.

• Write and read email messages (to the listserv) about ideas, problems and solutions to do with the assigned study material.

• Do the assigned projects/exercises.

• Write and read email messages (to/from the listserv) about ideas, problems and solutions to do with the assigned homework.

• Review the reports done by other people; give them credit in your future reports if you adopt something good from their (earlier) report.

Back to Top

Changes to this Syllabus:

There will be changes to this syllabus, so check back frequently, and don't forget to hit "Reload" or "Refresh".

Schedule of Events and Assignments:

Notes:

1. If you are doing some Advanced Graphic Interface work _other than_ computer games, please contact me in advance regarding this reading assignment.

Back to Top

Schedule of Macon Face-to-face Meetings:

attendance is 100% optional.

All Macon face-to-face meetings are from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Back to Top

List of all courses.

Contact Information

• My Name: Dr. Paul E. MacNeil (Atlanta, Macon and DL Section)
• My E-mail: macneil_pe@mercer.edu .
• My Office Phone: 478 301-2185
• My FAX: 478 301-2732
• US Mail:
 
• Dr. Paul E. MacNeil
• School of Engineering
• Mercer University
• 1400 Coleman Ave.
• Macon, GA 31207

Back to Top

Important Additional Information:
Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible.  If you are not registered with Disability Services, the instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504.  In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Services.  Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator on the 3rd floor of the Connell Student Center.  Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester.  For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the web site at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm

Accreditation: Mercer University is accredited by SACS.