FORMAT FOR LONG FORM COURSE AND CURRICULUM

University of North Carolina at Charlotte CSCI 11-14-06 (Revised 2-7-07)

Revised Graduate Curriculum (including New Graduate Courses) Proposal from

The Department of Computer Science

Revision of the Computer Science MS Program Curriculum

A. P

ROPOSAL SUMMARY AND CATALOG COPY.

1. S

UMMARY.

The Computer Science Department has added two new strategic development areas in research and

education - data visualization and computer gaming. The Department has hired 8 new graduate

faculty members in the past two years to support this effort. The Charlotte Visualization Center has

been established under the leadership of Bank of America Endowed Professor Ribarsky. Computer

Game Design and Development Certificate Programs at graduate and undergraduate levels are in the

final stage of preparation. The formal proposals for the certificate programs will appear in front of

the Graduate Council and Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee in the near future. This

MS program revision proposal includes 16 new course sub-proposals, most of them are in the areas

of data visualization and computer gaming:

a. ITCS 5121/4121 Information Visualization

b. ITCS 5122/4122 Visual Analytics

c. ITCS 5123/4123 Visualization and Visual Communication

d. ITCS 5133/4133 Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

e. ITCS 5146/4146 Grid Computing

f. ITCS 5232/4232 Game Design and Development Studio

g. ITCS 5235/4235 Game Engine Construction

h. ITCS 5236/4236 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games

i. ITCS 5237/4237 Audio Processing for Entertainment Computing

j. ITCS 6124/8124 Illustrative Visualization

k. ITCS 6126/8126 Large Scale Information Visualization

l. ITCS 6127/8127 Real-time Rendering Engines

m. ITCS 6128/8128 3D Display and Advanced Interfaces

n. ITCS 6159/8159 Intelligent Tutoring Systems

o. ITCS 6167/8167 Advanced Networking Protocols

p. ITCS/ITIS 6228/8228 Medical Informatics

This proposal revises the core and breadth requirements to reflect the additional faculty expertise and

new course offerings. A revised course rotation schedule is attached in Appendix 17. This proposal

also revises minimum background requirements for admission to the MS program.

2. P

ROPOSED CATALOG COPY.

MS Degree Requirements

The Master of Science program in Computer Science requires 30 graduate credit hours, which may

optionally include 6 hours of thesis. At least 21 hours of the courses applied to the degree must be

from the Department of Computer Science. At least 15 hours must be 6000 level or above courses.

No more than 6 hours may be in Individual Study. A maximum of 6 hours of graduate credit may be

transferred from other institutions.

I. Core Requirement

All students must take two courses from the Core Category:

ITCS 5102 Survey of Programming Languages

ITCS 5141 Computer Organization and Architecture or ITCS 6182 Advanced Computer

Architecture

ITCS 6112 Software System Design and Implementation

ITCS 6114 Algorithms & Data Structures

II. Breadth Requirements

All students must take three courses, each from a different Course Category, to satisfy the breadth

requirements.

Course Categories are:

• Data Management

ITCS 6155 Knowledge Based Systems

ITCS 6157 Visual Databases

ITCS 6160 Database Systems

ITCS 6161 Advanced Topics in Database Systems

ITCS 6162 Knowledge Discovery in Databases

ITCS 6163 Data Warehousing

• Networked Systems

ITCS 5145 Parallel Computing

ITCS 5146 Grid Computing

ITCS 6132 Modeling & Analysis of Communication Networks

ITCS 6166 Computer Networks

ITCS 6167 Advanced Networking Protocols

ITCS 6168 Wireless Communications

• Visualization and Computer Graphics

ITCS 5120 Introduction to Computer Graphics

ITCS 5121 Information Visualization

ITCS 5122 Visual Analytics

ITCS 5123 Visualization and Visual Communication

ITCS 6124 Illustrative Visualization

ITCS 6126 Large Scale Information Visualization

ITCS 6127 Real-time Rendering Engines

ITCS 6128 3D Display and Advanced Interfaces

ITCS 6140 Data Visualization

• Intelligent & Interactive Systems

ITCS 5152 Computer Vision

ITCS 6050 Topics in Intelligent Systems

ITCS 6111 Evolutionary Computation

ITCS 6125 Virtual Environments

ITCS 6134 Digital Image Processing

ITCS 6150 Intelligent Systems

ITCS 6151 Intelligent Robotics

ITCS 6156 Machine Learning

ITCS 6158 Natural Language Processing

ITCS 6267 Intelligent Information Retrieval

• Applications (includes all application area specific courses such as Medical Informatics, and

Game Design)

ITCS 5133 Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

ITCS 5230 Introduction to Game Design and development

ITCS 5231 Advanced Game Design and Development

ITCS 5232 Game Design and Development Studio

ITCS 5235 Game Engine Construction

ITCS 5236 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games

ITCS 5237 Audio Processing for Entertainment Computing

ITCS 6153 Neural Networks

ITCS 6159 Intelligent Tutoring Systems

ITCS 6165 Coding and Information Theory

ITCS 6222 Biomedical Signal Processing

ITCS 6224 Biomedical Image Processing

ITCS 6226 Bioinformatics

ITCS 6228 Medical Informatics

III. Area of Concentration

Each student must take at least three related courses (9 hours) to form an area of concentration. The

area of concentration may differ from the Course Categories; students are encouraged to have their

areas of concentration aligned with faculty research areas. The three courses forming the student's

area of concentration must have the written approval of the student's academic advisor. Only one

breadth course can be included in the area of concentration courses. Core courses can not be used in

area of concentration. At least two of the three courses forming an area of concentration should be

from the Department of Computer Science.

Minimum Background Requirements for Admission

Applicants to MS program in Computer Science must have had a computing background equivalent

to two years of undergraduate training in Computer Science, including at least an introductory

course on programming, a course on data structures, and a course either in operating systems or

computer architecture. In addition, background in Mathematics to include courses in Linear Algebra

or Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, and at least one year of Calculus is also required. Students

without sufficient background in Computer Science or Mathematics may be admitted to the Program

but must complete background courses determined by the MS Program Director in the first year.

New Courses:

ITCS 4121. Information Visualization. (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 1215 or approval of the

instructor. Information visualization concepts, theories, design principles, popular techniques,

evaluation methods, and information visualization applications. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 5121. Information Visualization. (3) Prerequisites: graduate standing. Information

visualization concepts, theories, design principles, popular techniques, evaluation methods, and

information visualization applications. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 4122. Visual Analytics. (3) Prerequisites: any of STAT 1220, 1221, 1222, 2122, or 2223,

or approval of the instructor. This course introduces the new field of visual analytics, which

integrates interactive analytical methods and visualization.. Topics include: critical thinking,

visual reasoning, perception/cognition, statistical and other analysis techniques, principles of

interaction, and applications. (Fall) (Evenings)

ITCS 5122. Visual Analytics. (3) Prerequisites: any of STAT 1220, 1221, 1222, 2122, or 2223,

or approval of the instructor. This course introduces the new field of visual analytics, which

integrates interactive analytical methods and visualization.. Topics include: critical thinking,

visual reasoning, perception/cognition, statistical and other analysis techniques, principles of

interaction, and applications. (Fall) (Evenings)

ITCS 4123. Visualization and Visual Communication. (3) Prerequisites: none. Understanding

the relatively technical field of visualization from the point of view of visual communication,

this course draws connections with photography, design, illustration, aesthetics, and art. Both

technical and theoretical aspects of the various fields are covered, and the connections between

them are investigated. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 5123. Visualization and Visual Communication. (3) Prerequisites: none. Understanding

the relatively technical field of visualization from the point of view of visual communication,

this course draws connections with photography, design, illustration, aesthetics, and art. Both

technical and theoretical aspects of the various fields are covered, and the connections between

them are investigated. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 4133. Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.(3) Prerequisites: ITCS 2214 and

either MATH 1120 or MATH 1241. Introduction to principles and techniques behind numerical

methods and algorithms that underlie modern scientific and engineering applications. Roots of

equations; linear systems (direct methods, LU/QR factorization, iterative methods); Eigen values

and vectors; Interpolation, Approximation; Numerical Differentiation/Integration, ODEs and

PDEs. (On Demand).

ITCS 5133. Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.(3) Prerequisite: ITCS 2214 and

either MATH 1120 or MATH 1241. Introduction to principles and techniques behind numerical

methods and algorithms that underlie modern scientific and engineering applications. Roots of

equations; linear systems (direct methods, LU/QR factorization, iterative methods); Eigen values

and vectors; Interpolation, Approximation; Numerical Differentiation/Integration, ODEs and

PDEs. (On Demand).

ITCS 4146 Grid Computing. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 1215.

Grid computing software components, standards, web services, security mechanisms, schedulers

and resource brokers, workflow editors, grid portals, grid computing applications. (Spring)

ITCS 5146 Grid Computing. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 1215 or Graduate Standing.

Grid computing software components, standards, web services, security mechanisms, schedulers

and resource brokers, workflow editors, grid portals, grid computing applications. (Spring)

ITCS 4232. Game Design and Development Studio. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS

4120, ITCS 4231, and consent of instructor. Application of advanced

concepts and techniques for electronic game design and development.

Teams will use engineering techniques to incorporate game programming

and scripting, networking, graphics, physics, audio, game data structures

and algorithms, and artificial intelligence into an electronic game. Individuals

will develop a complete portfolio of prior work and the class project. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 5232. Game Design and Development Studio. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS

5120, ITCS 5231, and consent of instructor. Application of advanced

concepts and techniques for electronic game design and development.

Teams will use engineering techniques to incorporate game programming

and scripting, networking, graphics, physics, audio, game data structures

and algorithms, and artificial intelligence into an electronic game. Individuals

will develop a complete portfolio of prior work and the class project. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 4235. Game Engine Construction. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 4120 or Permission of

Department. Introduction to principles and techniques behind modern computer and console

game engines. Graphics Rendering Pipeline (transformations, lighting, shading); 2D/3D Texture

Mapping; Image Based Rendering; Spatial Structures and Acceleration Algorithms; Level of

Detail; Collision Detection, Culling and Intersection Methods; Vertex/Pixel Shaders; Pipeline

Optimization; Rendering Hardware.( Spring, Alternate Years) (Evenings)

ITCS 5235. Game Engine Construction. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 5120 or Permission of

Department. Introduction to principles and techniques behind modern computer and console

game engines. Graphics Rendering Pipeline (transformations, lighting ,shading); 2D/3D Texture

Mapping; Image Based Rendering; Spatial Data Structures and Acceleration Algorithms; Level

of Detail; Collision Detection, Culling and Intersection Methods; Vertex/Pixel Shaders; Pipeline

Optimization; Rendering Hardware. (Spring, Alternate Years) (Evenings)

ITCS 4236. Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 3153.

Application of advanced concepts and techniques in artificial intelligence for electronic game

design and development. An investigation of the artificial intelligence techniques necessary for

an agent to act, or appear to act, intelligently in interactive virtual worlds. Topics include

uncertainty reasoning, machine learning, perception, knowledge representation, search, and

planning. Emphasis will be on implementation and experimentation with the goal of building

robust intelligent agents in interactive entertainment domains. Elements of multi-agent

collaboration and the use of cognitive architectures in interactive computer games will also be

discussed. (On demand)

ITCS 5236. Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 6150 or

permission of instructor. Application of advanced concepts and techniques in artificial

intelligence for electronic game design and development. An investigation of the artificial

intelligence techniques necessary for an agent to act, or appear to act, intelligently in interactive

virtual worlds. Topics include uncertainty reasoning, machine learning, perception, knowledge

representation, search, and planning. Emphasis will be on implementation and experimentation

with the goal of building robust intelligent agents in interactive entertainment domains. Elements

of multi-agent collaboration and the use of cognitive architectures in interactive computer games

will also be discussed. (On demand)

ITCS 4237. Audio Processing for Entertainment Computing. (3) Prerequisite: MATH 1242,

MATH 2164, and ITCS 2215 or equivalents. Introduction to the principles and applications of

audio (digital signal) processing focusing on entertainment domains. Topics include: analysis of

signals, transforms, digital filter design techniques, audio engine development, file

encoding/decoding, spatial sound rendering, optimization, and advanced audio techniques. (On

demand)

ITCS 5237. Audio Processing for Entertainment Computing. (3) Prerequisite: MATH 1242,

MATH 2164, and ITCS 6114 or equivalents. Introduction to the principles and applications of

audio (digital signal) processing focusing on entertainment domains. Topics include: analysis of

signals, transforms, digital filter design techniques, audio engine development, file

encoding/decoding, spatial sound rendering, optimization, and advanced audio techniques. (On

demand)

ITCS 6124. Illustrative Visualization. (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 4120 or ITCS 5120. This course

focuses on advanced concepts and techniques related to the design, implementation, integration,

and management of illustrative visualization and computer graphics. Topics include various

advanced visualization topics: feature extraction, non-photorealistic rendering, point-based

rendering, hardware-accelerated rendering, segmentation, image generation, animation,

evaluation, design, and interaction. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 8124. Illustrative Visualization. (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 4120 or ITCS 5120. This course

focuses on advanced concepts and techniques related to the design, implementation, integration,

and management of illustrative visualization and computer graphics. Topics include various

advanced visualization topics: feature extraction, non-photorealistic rendering, point-based

rendering, hardware-accelerated rendering, segmentation, image generation, animation,

evaluation, design, and interaction. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 6126. Large Scale Information Visualization. (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 4121 or ITCS

5121 Information Visualization. Concept, theory, design principles, data processing techniques,

and visual metaphors and interaction techniques for massive, multi-dimensional, multi-source,

time-varying information exploration. (Fall) (Evenings)

ITCS 8126. Large Scale Information Visualization.(3) Prerequisites: ITCS 4121 or ITCS 5121

Information Visualization. Concept, theory, design principles, data processing techniques, and

visual metaphors and interaction techniques for massive, multi-dimensional, multi-source, time-

varying information exploration. (Fall) (Evenings)

ITCS 6127. Real-Time Rendering Engines. (3G). Prerequisites: ITCS 5120 or ITCS 6120.

This course focuses on advanced concepts and techniques employed in building real-time

rendering systems that support a high level of realism as well as handle large geometric models.

Topics include: modern graphics hardware, programmable shaders, shadow and environment

mapping, image-based modeling and rendering, large data models (simplification, level of

detail), high quality interactive rendering. (On Demand).

ITCS 8127. Real-Time Rendering Engines. (3G). Prerequisites: ITCS 5120 or ITCS 6120.

This course focuses on advanced concepts and techniques employed in building real-time

rendering systems that support a high level of realism as well as handle large geometric models.

Topics include: modern graphics hardware, programmable shaders, shadow and environment

mapping, image-based modeling and rendering, large data models (simplification, level of

detail), high quality interactive rendering. (On Demand).

ITCS 6128. 3D Display and Advanced Interfaces. (3G). Prerequisites: ITCS 4120 or ITCS

6120. The course covers the fundamentals of 3D display hardware and software technology.

Topics include: human visual spatial perception of natural and synthetic 3D images, 3D display

hardware, human computer interface algorithms for effective stereoscopic display, 3D display

rendering techniques. (On Demand).

ITCS 8128. 3D Display and Advanced Interfaces. (3G). Prerequisites: ITCS 4120 or ITCS

6120. The course covers the fundamentals of 3D display hardware and software technology.

Topics include: human visual spatial perception of natural and synthetic 3D images, 3D display

hardware, human computer interface algorithms for effective stereoscopic display, 3D display

rendering techniques. (On Demand).

ITCS 6159. Intelligent Tutoring Systems. (3) Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission

of the instructor. This course introduces the issues relevant to creating adaptive learning systems

using artificial intelligence and includes a project to build a small Intelligent Tutoring System

(ITS). Topics include: representation of knowledge and cognition, ITS design, adaptive user

interfaces, design and evaluation of feedback, experimental methods, educational data mining,

history of intelligent tutoring, tutor authoring, and issues for implementation. (Fall, alternate

years) (Evenings)

ITCS 8159. Intelligent Tutoring Systems. (3) Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission

of the instructor. This course introduces the issues relevant to creating adaptive learning systems

using artificial intelligence and includes a project to build a small Intelligent Tutoring System

(ITS). Topics include: representation of knowledge and cognition, ITS design, adaptive user

interfaces, design and evaluation of feedback, experimental methods, educational data mining,

history of intelligent tutoring, tutor authoring, and issues for implementation. (Fall, alternate

years) (Evenings)

ITCS 6167. Advanced Networking Protocols. (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 6166 or ITCS 6168. This

course focuses on advanced networking concepts and protocols related to the design,

implementation, integration, and management of networking and communication systems.

Topics include: topology control protocols, ad hoc routing protocols, power management

protocols, distributed data processing protocols for various networking systems (Internet,

wireless mesh networks, ad hoc networks, sensor networks, peer-to-peer networks). (Spring)

(Evenings)

ITCS 8167. Advanced Networking Protocols. (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 6166 or ITCS 8166 or

ITCS 6168 or ITCS 8168. This course focuses on advanced networking concepts and protocols

related to the design, implementation, integration, and management of networking and

communication systems. Topics include: topology control protocols, ad hoc routing protocols,

power management protocols, distributed data processing protocols for various networking

systems (Internet, wireless mesh networks, ad hoc networks, sensor networks, peer-to-peer

networks). (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 6228. Medical Informatics (3) Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. This course focuses on

methods and techniques used in storage, communication, processing, analysis, integration,

management, and distribution of medical information. The course emphasizes the applications of

telemedicine and intelligent computer-aided decision making systems in different medical and

surgical systems. The course also discusses the computational methods to accept or reject a new

drug or a new treatment for a given disease. (Fall, Alternate years) (Evenings)

ITCS 8228. Medical Informatics (3) Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. This course focuses on

methods and techniques used in storage, communication, processing, analysis, integration,

management, and distribution of medical information. The course emphasizes the applications of

telemedicine and intelligent computer-aided decision making systems in different medical and

surgical systems. The course also discusses the computational methods to accept or reject a new

drug or a new treatment for a given disease. (Fall, Alternate years) (Evenings)

ITIS 6228. Medical Informatics (3) Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. This course focuses on

methods and techniques used in storage, communication, processing, analysis, integration,

management, and distribution of medical information. The course emphasizes the applications of

telemedicine and intelligent computer-aided decision making systems in different medical and

surgical systems. The course also discusses the computational methods to accept or reject a new

drug or a new treatment for a given disease. (Fall, Alternate years) (Evenings)

ITIS 8228. Medical Informatics (3) Prerequisites: Graduate Standing. This course focuses on

methods and techniques used in storage, communication, processing, analysis, integration,

management, and distribution of medical information. The course emphasizes the applications of

telemedicine and intelligent computer-aided decision making systems in different medical and

surgical systems. The course also discusses the computational methods to accept or reject a new

drug or a new treatment for a given disease. (Fall, Alternate years) (Evenings)

B. JUSTIFICATION.

1. Need Addressed

The proposed course category structure and degree requirements force an MS student in Computer

Science to attempt courses in at least three different areas in addition to the core. When a student

decides on an area of concentration, the courses available in that area will be clearly listed. And the

Department can offer more graduate courses in faculty research areas, which also benefit student

learning.

2. Prerequisites/Co-requisites

In addition to the standard GRE & TOEFL (for foreign students) test scores and undergraduate GPA

requirements, the specific Computer Science and Mathematics background requirements can ensure

that the students in the program are ready for a graduate level study in computer science.

3. Course Numbering

16 proposed new courses are at the 5000 and 6000 level for MS students. The second digits are all 1

or 2 for regular lecture courses. The companion 8000 level courses to the corresponding 6000 level

courses are for PhD students. The companion 4000 level courses to the corresponding 5000 level

courses are for advanced undergraduate students.

4. Improvements

The course offerings will better match faculty expertise. Students will get better guidance on area of

concentration selection. Also the new rotation schedule will be posted in the web for students to plan

ahead on their graduate study. In the past, the Department had to offer many temporary topic courses

for those subjects in the new course proposals.

C. IMPACT.

1. Students Served.

This proposal mainly serves Computer Science MS students. SIS MS IT students can also be

benefited from the availability of these new courses. The 8000 level courses will serve IT PhD

students in CS, SIS, & BI tracks. And the companion 4000 level courses to the proposed 5000 level

courses can benefit advanced undergraduate CS & SIS students.

2. Effect on Existing Courses and Curricula

a. Offering

The Department has worked out a 2-year rotation schedule, see Attachment 17, to cover all ITCS

graduate courses including both the new courses in this proposal and the existing courses.

b. Other Courses

The offering of all graduate courses by the Computer Science Department have been reviewed. The

new rotation schedule takes care of all courses.

c. Anticipated Enrollment

The MS program in CS currently has 104 students, each takes about 2.5 courses a semester on the

average. The CS track of IT PhD program has 42 students, each takes about 1.5 courses a semester

in addition to their research hours. Dividing 323 student-courses by 21 courses per semester offering

in the rotation schedule, the average enrollment of a graduate CS class will be about 15 graduate

students (for both new and existing courses), which is about right class size for graduate courses.

d. Enrollment Impacts

The average enrollment of a graduate CS class will be about 15 graduate students (for both new and

existing courses).

e. Previous Topic Courses

Some of the proposed new courses have been offered before as topics courses ITCS 6010/8010

Topics in Computer Science or ITCS 5010/4010 Topics in Computer Science. For details, see

attached individual new course sub-proposals.

f. Other Areas of Catalog Copy That Would Be Affected

The proposed catalog copy covers all areas of catalog that are affected.

D. RESOURCES

1. Personnel

No additional faculty is required to implement the changes being proposed. All CS graduate faculty

members will be involved in the revised program.

2. Physical Facility

No additional facilities are required as a result of this program revision.

3. Equipment and Supplies

No new equipment or supplies are required to deliver this revised program.

4. Computer

No new computer equipment is required to deliver the revised program.

5. Audio-Visual

No new audio-visual equipment is required to deliver the revised program.

6. Other Resources

No other new resources are required to deliver this revised program.

7. Funding Sources

Not applicable, as no new resources are required.

E. CONSULTATION WITH THE LIBRARY AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR UNITS

1. Library Consultation

The Library consultation letters are attached to individual new course sub-proposals.

2. Consultation with Other Departments or Units

The letter of support from SIS department is attached as Attachment 20.

F. INITIATION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSAL

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. ATTACHMENTS

1. Proposal for ITCS 5121/4121 Information Visualization

2. Proposal for ITCS 5122/4122 Visual Analytics

3. Proposal for ITCS 5123/4123 Visualization and Visual Communication

4. Proposal for ITCS 5133/4133 Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

5. Proposal for ITCS 5146/4146 Grid Computing

6. Proposal for ITCS 5232/4232 Game Design and Development Studio

7. Proposal for ITCS 5235/4235 Game Engine Construction

8. Proposal for ITCS 5236/4236 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games

9. Proposal for ITCS 5237/4237 Audio Processing for Entertainment Computing

10. Proposal for ITCS 6124/8124 Illustrative Visualization

11. Proposal for ITCS 6126/8126 Large Scale Information Visualization

12. Proposal for ITCS 6127/8127 Real-time Rendering Engines

13. Proposal for ITCS 6128/8128 3D Display and Advanced Interfaces

14. Proposal for ITCS 6159/8159 Intelligent Tutoring Systems

15. Proposal for ITCS 6167/8167 Advanced Networking Protocols

16. Proposal for ITCS/ITIS 6228/8228 Medical Informatics

17. Two-Year Rotation Schedule for Computer Science graduate courses

18. Current degree requirements of MS program in Computer Science

19. Consultation letters from the Library are attached to individual new course sub-proposals

20. Consultation letter from Software and Information Systems Department

Attachment 1. Proposal for ITCS 5121/4121 Information Visualization

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006a

from the Department of Computer Science

Title: Addition of new undergraduate course ITCS 4121 and graduate course ITCS 5121:

Information Visualization

A. Proposal Summary and Catalog Copy

1. Summary

The Computer Science Department proposes to add one new undergraduate and one new

graduate course to the respective curricula, ITCS 4121 and ITCS 5121: Information

Visualization

2. Proposed Catalog Copy

ITCS 4121. Information Visualization (3) Prerequisites: ITCS 1215 or approval of the instructor.

Information visualization concepts, theories, design principles, popular techniques, evaluation

methods, and information visualization applications. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 5121. Information Visualization (3) Prerequisites: graduate standing. Information

visualization concepts, theories, design principles, popular techniques, evaluation methods, and

information visualization applications. (Spring) (Evenings)

B. Justification

1. Need:

Information visualization is a research area that focuses on the use of visualization techniques to

help people understand and analyze abstract data. Information visualization techniques have been

widely used in applications where abstract data are collected, analyzed, and presented, such as

financial analysis, digital libraries and bioinformatics. Information visualization is also one of the

major research areas in the blooming field of visual analytics.

2. Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Prerequisites: Students are expected to have basic programming skills preferably in Java or C++.

Necessary prerequisites are ITCS 1214 and ITCS 1215, which covers basic programming skills.

Students who have not taken ITCS 1214 and ITCS 1215 can be accepted by admission of the

instructor.

3. Course numbering:

The course is positioned as suitable for both advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

4. Effect on scope, quality, and efficiency:

Information visualization considerably broadens the scope of courses taught in the computer

science department. It provides useful concepts and techniques to many research fields where

abstract data are collected, analyzed, and presented. It also provides students necessary

background for learning visual analytics

C. Impact

1. Students Served:

The course will serve CS majors as well as students from such diverse fields as finance,

engineering and bioinformatics. It is positioned as an accessible outreach course to show the CS

students one of the major visualization fields, and to teach students from other departments

techniques that can be applied to their own fields.

2. Effect on existing courses and curricula:

a. The course will be offered each Spring.

b. The content of other courses will not be affected. The new rotation schedule of CS

graduate courses is attached with the Computer Science MS Program Revision Proposal.

c. The anticipated enrollment is 30 students/Spring semester.

d. This new course is part of the CS MS program revision.

e. Affected areas of catalog copy: In curriculum outlines, and requirements for the degree,

the proposed courses should be listed as elective options.

D. Resources Required to Support Proposal

1. Personnel:

a. Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty.

No requirements for new faculty or increased load on present faculty.

b. List by name qualified faculty members interested in teaching the course(s).

Jing Yang is interested and qualified to teach the course.

2. Physical Facility:

No new physical facilities are needed, beyond a regular classroom to teach the class.

3. Equipment and Supplies:

No new equipment and supplies are needed to teach the courses.

4. Computer:

Specify requirements for computer usage by students and/or faculty, and include an assessment

of the adequacy of computing resources by Computing Services.

Students will use their own computers or those in the Woodward 335 for course assignments and

projects. Faculty will use their own existing computers for course preparation. Computing

resources are adequate for the proposed course.

5. Audio-Visual:

Specify requirements for audio and/or visual equipment and media production services from

Media Services.

No A/V services are necessary for the courses, beyond existing presentation equipment in

classrooms.

6. Other Resources:

Specify and estimate cost of other new/added resources required, e.g., travel, communication,

printing and binding.

No additional resources are required.

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal.

None needed.

E. Consultation with Library and Other Departments or Units

1. Library Consultation: Attached

2. Consultation with other Departments or Units: SIS Department

F. Initiation and Consideration of Proposal

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. Attachments

1. Consultation with Library memo

2. Syllabus for the proposed graduate course

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 1, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4121/5121: Information Visualization

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/01/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

3. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

4. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of

Information Visualization and related subjects retrieved 6745 pertinent items. Of this

total, 1804 have been acquired since 2000, so this is a current and relevant collection.

Because there is some overlap of subject headings, the actual total number of titles

will be somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if bolstered by ongoing

purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The Library owns or has

electronic access to 54 journals and 923 other electronic resources that support this

program. In addition, the library has approximately 20 electronic databases, many

with links to full text articles, supporting the overall Computing and Informatics

programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 01, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Information Visualization

11/01/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Animation 262 82 2 34

Cognition 2117 359 20 155

Data analysis 3127 975 16 632

Data visualization 78 40 1 14

Graphic design 273 79 7 8

Graphic visualization 72 25 1 18

Information visualization 58 33 1 18

Multidimensional visualization 4 3 0 1

Multimedia visualization 12 5 0 2

Scatterplot* 4 3 0 1

Visual analysis 147 99 1 11

Visual perception 591 101 5 29

Totals 6745 1804 54 923

ITCS 4121/5121: Information Visualization - Syllabus

Course Description (catalog description):

Information visualization concepts, theories, design principles, popular techniques, evaluation

methods, and information visualization applications. (Spring)

General Information:

Information visualization is the science that unveils the underlying structure of abstract data sets

using visual representations that utilize the powerful processing capabilities of the human visual

perceptual system.

Topics of this course include a) visual perception, cognitive issues, as well as other theory and

design principles behind information visualization; b) popular multidimensional visualization

techniques such as parallel coordinates, scatterplot matrixes and glyphs; popular hierarchy and graph

visualization techniques such as the treemap; c) basic interaction techniques such as selection and

distortion; evaluation; and d) examples of information visualization applications and systems, such

as bio-information visualization, document visualization and multimedia library visualization.

The exact selection of topics is driven by three criteria: (1) essentials that must be covered, (2)

advances in research, and (3) the interests of the participants.

Pre- or co-requisites:

ITCS1214 and ITCS1215

Objectives of the course:

This course will help students build basic concepts and learn popular techniques and applications of

information visualization.

Instructional method

The course is offered as a regular class, combining lecture and discussion.

Means of student evaluation

Critiques:30%, Presentations: 30%, Projects: 20%, Class Participation: 20%..

1) Critiques: This course is reading intensive. The instructor will assign reading tasks to the students

in the following approaches: a. The teacher will distributes papers to students each week and ask the

students to write critiques on the papers and turn the critiques in the next weeks. The teacher will

grade the critiques and give feedbacks on them in the weeks followed. The grades on the critiques

will greatly affect the final grades. Regarding to the critiques, the teacher will give several questions

related to the papers for students to answer in the critiques. Students are encouraged put their own

thinking about the paper into the critiques. b. The teacher will give some topics and ask students to

find papers on those topics. Students will be asked to write critiques and sometimes give

presentations on the papers they find.

b) Presentations: Each student will give an in-class 10-minute presentation every three weeks.

Students are required to send the presentation topics to the teacher one day before their presentation.

Students will get the teacher's feedback on their slides if they send the slides to the teacher one day

before the presentation.

c) Project: The students will be required to implement one information visualization prototype to

practice what they learn in class. The students are not required to know OpenGL before they take

this course since all the basic drawing elements will be provided to them (they can do the projects

from scratch though). The students will be asked to present their projects in class.

Here is a list of sample projects: Build simple a file browser; Implement a parallel coordinate

display; Implement a glyph display.

d) Class participation: There will be lots of in-class discussions in the classes. Students' performance

in the discussions will also greatly affect their final grade.

GRADUATE STUDNETS (ITCS 5121): Graduate students will have additional work in reading and

critique writing. The project has an additional challenge part to be done by graduate students. This

part is available to undergraduate students for extra credit.

The basic undergraduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Attendance Policy

Attendance of all scheduled classes is mandatory. 5% of total grade will be deducted for every class

that you are absent, unless a good reason is given.

Late policy

Critiques: The full score of each critique assignment is 100 points. You will be deducted 10 points

for each day delayed.

Academic Integrity

Unless otherwise specified, the UNC Charlotte guidelines on Academic Integrity fully apply to all

work in this course. This includes critique and programming assignments.

Textbook

Recommended textbook: Spence, Robert. Information Visualization. Addison-Wesley.

In addition, many recent papers in the field will be read in the class. The papers will be provided by

the teacher.

Also, the teacher will circulate a set of useful reference books within the class. Here is a list of the

books:

1. Ware, Colin. Information Visualization: Perception for Design (2nd Edition). Morgan-

Kaufmann, 2004.

2. Tufte, Edward. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information (2nd Edition). Graphics

Press, 2001.

3. Tufte, Edward. Envisioning Information. Graphics Press, 1990.

4. Tufte, Edward. Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative.

Graphics Press, 1997.

Outline of Course Content

a) visual perception, cognitive issues, as well as other theory and design principles behind

information visualization;

b) popular multidimensional visualization techniques such as parallel coordinates, scatterplot

matrixes and glyphs; popular hierarchy and graph visualization techniques such as the treemap;

c) basic interaction techniques such as selection and distortion; evaluation; and

d) examples of information visualization applications and systems, such as bio-information

visualization, document visualization and multimedia library visualization

Useful Resources

1. Dr. Daniel Keim’s tutorials

http://dbvis.inf.uni-konstanz.de/group/get_tutorials.php?name=keim

2. Dr. George Robertson's tutorials

http://research.microsoft.com/~ggr/pubs.htm

3. Dr. John Stasko's Information Visualization course materials

http://www-static.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2006/cs7450_spring/index.html

4. XmdvTool homepage

http://davis.wpi.edu/~xmdv/

Software

Two existing information visualization prototypes will be provided to the students for developing

their projects. One was written in java and another was written in C++. Basic input, output and

drawing functions are provided in them. Students can select one of them and build their projects on

it. They can also build their project from scratch using any C++ or Java environment.

Attachment 2. Proposal for ITCS 5122/4122 Visual Analytics

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006b

from the Department of Computer Science

Title: Addition of new undergraduate course ITCS 4122 and graduate course ITCS

5122: Visual Analytics

A. Proposal Summary and Catalog Copy

1. Summary

The Computer Science Department proposes to add two new courses to the undergraduate and

graduate curricula, ITCS 4122 and ITCS 5122: Visual Analytics

2. Proposed Catalog Copy

ITCS 4122. Visual Analytics. (3) Prerequisites: any of STAT 1220, 1221, 1222, 2122, or 2223,

or approval of the instructor. This course introduces the new field of visual analytics, which

integrates interactive analytical methods and visualization.. Topics include: critical thinking,

visual reasoning, perception/cognition, statistical and other analysis techniques, principles of

interaction, and applications. (Fall) (Evenings)

ITCS 5122. Visual Analytics. (3) Prerequisites: any of STAT 1220, 1221, 1222, 2122, or 2223,

or approval of the instructor. This course introduces the new field of visual analytics, which

integrates interactive analytical methods and visualization.. Topics include: critical thinking,

visual reasoning, perception/cognition, statistical and other analysis techniques, principles of

interaction, and applications. (Fall) (Evenings)

B. Justification

1. Need:

Visual Analytics (VA) is a new field of research that has grown out of visualization, and is a

natural and much needed extension of the field. There is considerable funding available, and

there is also a lot of interest from industry in the field, making it likely that students experienced

in VA will be sought after very soon.

Visual Analytics also aims to expand the students’ horizons both in terms of visualization, and in

terms of more general critical thinking (which is naturally tied to intelligence analysis, the main

application area for VA right now).

The VA course also provides a good starting point for students to get an introduction to

visualization and then pursue the more specialized courses that are offered.

The course is being taught as a special topics course right now (Fall 2006), and has received a lot

of interest from students with a background in the financial sector – an audience we are

especially interested in here in Charlotte.

2. Prerequisites/Corequisites:

The course requires a basic understanding of statistics, so any one of STAT 1220, 1223, or 2122,

are required. Students who have taken courses elsewhere, or can demonstrate sufficient

knowledge of statistics will also be admitted.

3. Course numbering:

The course numbers position this course as an advanced undergraduate or basic graduate course.

The goal is to give a broad audience access to the course, and spur interest in advanced

visualization courses.

4. Effect on scope, quality, and efficiency:

Visual Analytics is the core of the visualization courses offered by members of the Charlotte

Visualization Center, and will also be the basis for the Visual Analytics concentration and

certificate we are working on. The course lays the foundations for advanced visualization

courses, while demonstrating the practical relevance of the materials taught.

C. Impact

1. Students Served:

The course will serve the needs of undergraduate and graduate students in Computer Science as

well as in other departments. In reaching out to students of other subjects, we will provide useful

skills to those students, and also enrich the experience of CS students by bringing in people with

application-oriented interests.

2. Effect on existing courses and curricula:

f. The course will be offered each fall.

g. The content of other courses will not be affected. The new rotation schedule of CS

graduate courses is attached with the Computer Science MS Program Revision Proposal.

h. The anticipated enrollment is 15-20 students/fall semester.

i. This new course is part of the CS MS program revision.

j. This course has been offered once as a special topic course (ITCS 4010/5010) in Fall

2006. The enrollment for the course was 10 students.

k. Affected areas of catalog copy: In curriculum outlines, and requirements for the degree,

the proposed courses should be listed as elective options.

D. Resources Required to Support Proposal

1. Personnel:

c. Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty.

No requirements for new faculty or increased load on present faculty. A student assistant

will be needed when the course enrollment exceeds 10 students.

d. List by name qualified faculty members interested in teaching the course(s).

Both Robert Kosara and William Ribarsky are interested and qualified to teach this

course.

2. Physical Facility:

No new physical facilities are needed, beyond a regular classroom to teach the class.

3. Equipment and Supplies:

No new equipment and supplies are needed to teach the courses.

4. Computer:

Specify requirements for computer usage by students and/or faculty, and include an assessment

of the adequacy of computing resources by Computing Services.

Students will use their own computers or those in the Woodward 335 for course assignments and

projects. Faculty will use their own existing computers for course preparation. Computing

resources are adequate for the proposed course.

5. Audio-Visual:

Specify requirements for audio and/or visual equipment and media production services from

Media Services.

No A/V services are necessary for the courses, beyond existing presentation equipment in

classrooms.

6. Other Resources:

Specify and estimate cost of other new/added resources required, e.g., travel, communication,

printing and binding.

No additional resources are required.

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal.

None needed.

E. Consultation with Library and Other Departments or Units

1. Library Consultation: Attached

2. Consultation with other Departments or Units: SIS Department

F. Initiation and Consideration of Proposal

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. Attachments

1. Consultation with Library memo

2. Syllabus for the proposed graduate course

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4122/5122: Visual Analytics

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

5. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

6. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of Visual

Analytics and related subjects retrieved 2155 pertinent items. Of this total, 821 have

been acquired since 2000, so this is a current and relevant collection. Because there

is some overlap of subject headings, the actual total number of titles will be

somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if bolstered by ongoing

purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The Library owns or has

electronic access to 15 journals and 250 other electronic resources that support this

program. In addition, the library has approximately 20 electronic databases, many

with links to full text articles, supporting the overall Computing and Informatics

programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Visual Analytics

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Critical thinking 488 215 0 16

Data mining 316 122 4 102

Data representation 119 54 3 9

Data transformation 95 73 0 15

Data visualization 78 40 1 14

Glyph* 21 6 0 1

Graphics program* 213 58 0 31

Histogram* 25 17 0 3

Information visualization 58 33 1 18

Scatterplot* 4 3 0 1

Visual analysis 147 99 1 11

Visual perception 591 101 5 29

Totals 2155 821 15 250

ITCS 4122/5122: Visual Analytics - Syllabus

Course Catalog Description

ITCS 4122/5122 Visual Analytics. (3) Prerequisites: any of STAT 1220, 1221, 1222, 2122, or

2223, or approval of the instructor. This course introduces the new field of visual analytics,

which integrates interactive analytical methods and visualization.. Topics include: critical

thinking, visual reasoning, perception/cognition, statistical and other analysis techniques,

principles of interaction, and applications. (Fall) (Evenings)

Prerequisites

any of STAT 1220, 1223, or 2122, or approval of the instructor.

Objectives of the course

Providing students with knowledge about visualization, interaction, and analysis of data.

Students will learn about existing techniques, and will use their skills for a practical visualization

example of real-world data.

Instructional Method

This course incorporates lectures, guest lectures, in-class exercises and discussions, a project,

smaller assignments, and student presentations.

Method of Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on: 2 exams, assignments, a class project, and presentations.

They will count toward the grade as follows:

Assignments: 30%

Project: 15%

Presentations: 20%

Midterm/Final: 35%

Undergraduates (4122) will only give one presentation (at the end), and their class projects

will be done in small groups (2-3 students). They can give a paper presentation for additional

credit.

Graduates (5122) will give two presentations (a paper presentation and a final one), and will

each complete a project on their own.

The basic undergraduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Course Policies

University integrity: Students are expected to know and abide by the UNC Charlotte Code of

Student Academic Integrity. Students are expected to submit their own work, and fully cite any

sources used. Assignments or projects that are not appropriate in an academic setting, subject to

the instructor’s discretion, will not be accepted for a grade.

Attendance: Class attendance is a responsibility of each individual. If a student chooses not to

attend class, he/she is responsible for any handouts, announcement, and contents of missed

lectures.

Communication: Students are expected to read email and check the course website several

times each week.

Textbook and resources

There is no official textbook for this course. Copies of the slides used in class will be provided to

the students, along with a selection of relevant papers from conferences and journals. The booklet

Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools (Richard Paul and Linda Elder) will also be used.

Software: Java, any development environment, optionally using OpenGL

Topics

1. Introduction, overview, What is visual analytics?

2. Visual representation

a) History: London cholera/Broad Street water pump, Napoleon’s March, use of charts

by Playfair/Nightingale, etc.

b) Visualization of unstructured data

• Scatterplots, scatterplot matrices

• Parallel coordinates

• Glyphs

• Histograms

3. Visualization/Visual Analytics Applications

a) Various application areas

b) Success stories

4. The Analytic Process

a) Basics, Intelligence culture

b) Analytic reasoning and discourse

c) Sense-making

d) Ontologies

5. Perception

a) Basics of visual perception, the eye, perception and cognition

b) Pre-attentive processing

c) Gestalt laws

6. Visualization of structured data

a) Treemaps, Node-link-diagrams, etc.

b) Graphs as node-link and matrix

7. Color

a) Meaning of color

b) Good/bad choices of color

c) How to choose good colors (Which Blair Project, etc.)

8. Text visualization

a) Topic islands, Theme river, IN-SPIRE, etc.

b) Text and visual interfaces

c) Text in visualization (labels, captions)

9. Data

a) Data types (numerical, categorical, text, etc.)

b) Data representation/structures

c) Large and high-dimensional data

d) Types of structures that are interesting (what are we looking for?)

e) Data transformations (projections, clustering)

f) Data mining

10.Interaction

a) Principles of interaction

b) Linking and Brushing

c) Focus and Context

d) Mixed initiative interaction

11.Technology and devices

a) Large displays

b) High-density displays

c) Small displays

d) Input devices

Attachment 3. Proposal for ITCS 5123/4123 Visualization and Visual Communication

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006c

from the Department of Computer Science

Title: Addition of new undergraduate course ITCS 4123 and graduate course ITCS 5123:

Visualization and Visual Communication

A. Proposal Summary and Catalog Copy

1. Summary

The Computer Science Department proposes to add one new undergraduate and one new

graduate course to the respective curricula, ITCS 4123 and ITCS 5123: Visual Communication

in Computer Graphics and Art

2. Proposed Catalog Copy

ITCS 4123. Visualization and Visual Communication (3) Prerequisites: none. Understanding the

relatively technical field of visualization from the point of view of visual communication, this

course draws connections with photography, design, illustration, aesthetics, and art. Both

technical and theoretical aspects of the various fields are covered, and the connections between

them are investigated. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 5123. Visualization and Visual Communication (3) Prerequisites: none. Understanding the

relatively technical field of visualization from the point of view of visual communication, this

course draws connections with photography, design, illustration, aesthetics, and art. Both

technical and theoretical aspects of the various fields are covered, and the connections between

them are investigated. (Spring) (Evenings)

B. Justification

1. Need:

The CS department has considerable expertise and a large number of students working in fields

that are inherently visual: visualization, virtual reality, computer games, real-time graphics. Few

of the students get exposed to any aspects of visual communication other than their own field,

however, and their overall visual literacy is rather limited.

Robert Kosara has taught the course twice at UNCC, with a total of 11 students. The course was

also taught twice at Vienna University of Technology in Vienna, Austria, in cooperation with the

artist Georg Russegger, and was taken by a total of almost 100 students there.

2. Prerequisites/Corequisites:

None.

3. Course numbering:

The course is positioned as suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students, from both

computer science and art. Since the art department currently has no graduate program, all art

students will be undergraduates.

4. Effect on scope, quality, and efficiency:

Visual Communication considerably broadens the scope of courses taught in the computer

science department. It provides useful context to many concepts that play a role in visualization

and computer graphics, and shows their practical relevance in many real-world situations.

The course also increases the students’ visual literacy, thus enhancing their work in all visual

areas, like visualization, computer games, virtual reality, etc.

C. Impact

1. Students Served:

The course will serve CS majors as well as students from such diverse fields as art, architecture,

communication, English, etc. It is positioned as an accessible outreach course to show both the

CS students the relevance of their work, and to teach other students about interesting topics in

computer science.

In light of current efforts to establish programs in media art and related fields, the course could

also serve as a model, and a possible candidate for these programs.

2. Effect on existing courses and curricula:

l. The course will be offered each spring.

m. The content of other courses will not be affected. The new rotation schedule of CS

graduate courses is attached with the Computer Science MS Program Revision Proposal.

n. The anticipated enrollment is 10-15 students/spring semester.

o. This new course is part of the CS MS program revision.

p. This course has been offered twice as a special topic course (ITCS 4010/5010) in Fall

2005 and Spring 2006. The enrollment for the course in spring 2006 was six graduate and

four undergraduate students (all CS or SIS).

q. Affected areas of catalog copy: In curriculum outlines, and requirements for the degree,

the proposed courses should be listed as elective options.

D. Resources Required to Support Proposal

1. Personnel:

e. Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty.

No requirements for new faculty or increased load on present faculty.

f. List by name qualified faculty members interested in teaching the course(s).

Robert Kosara is currently the only faculty member who is interested and qualified to

teach the course.

2. Physical Facility:

No new physical facilities are needed, beyond a regular classroom to teach the class.

3. Equipment and Supplies:

No new equipment and supplies are needed to teach the courses.

4. Computer:

Specify requirements for computer usage by students and/or faculty, and include an assessment

of the adequacy of computing resources by Computing Services.

Students will use their own computers or those in the Woodward 335 for course assignments and

projects. Faculty will use their own existing computers for course preparation. Computing

resources are adequate for the proposed course.

5. Audio-Visual:

Specify requirements for audio and/or visual equipment and media production services from

Media Services.

No A/V services are necessary for the courses, beyond existing presentation equipment in

classrooms.

6. Other Resources:

Specify and estimate cost of other new/added resources required, e.g., travel, communication,

printing and binding.

No additional resources are required.

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal.

None needed.

E. Consultation with Library and Other Departments or Units

1. Library Consultation: Attached.

2. Consultation with other Departments or Units: SIS Department and Art Department

F. Initiation and Consideration of Proposal

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. Attachments

1. Consultation with Library memo

2. Consultation with Department of Art

2. Syllabus for the proposed graduate course

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4123/5123: Visual Communication in Computer Graphics and Art

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

7. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

8. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of Visual

Communication in Computer Graphics and Art and related subjects retrieved 9657

pertinent items. Of this total, 2373 have been acquired since 2000, so this is a current

and relevant collection. Because there is some overlap of subject headings, the actual

total number of titles will be somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if

bolstered by ongoing purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The

Library owns or has electronic access to 67 journals and 667 other electronic

resources that support this program. In addition, the library has approximately 20

electronic databases, many with links to full text articles, supporting the overall

Computing and Informatics programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Visual Communication in Computer Graphics and Art

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Aesthetics 2737 618 10 111

Animation 262 82 2 34

Computer art 272 91 0 35

Computer game* 252 130 0 74

Computer graphic* 650 133 14 152

Graphic visualization 72 25 1 18

Photography 3532 661 25 80

Virtual reality 201 81 2 36

Visual art 769 229 3 18

Visual communication 270 99 2 16

Visual design* 239 95 4 26

Visual literacy 62 27 0 3

Visualization 339 102 4 64

Totals 9657 2373 67 667

From: Strassberg, Roy

Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 1:11 PM

To: Chen, Ken

Cc: Ribarsky, William

Subject: RE: Consultation for a new CS course proposal

Ken,

I have received only the response below. Per Dr. Kosara's agreement to change the course title, the

art unit approves of this course.

Thanks for the opportunity to respond.

Roy

----------

From: Chen, Ken

Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 5:26 PM

To: Strassberg, Roy

Cc: Wilson, David; Ribarsky, William; Hodges, Larry; Wang, Yu

Subject: RE: Consultation for a new CS course proposal

Roy:

Dr. Kosara has decided to change his new course title to

ITCS 5123/4123 Visualization and Visual Communication

from the original title

ITCS 5123/4123 Visual Communication in Computer Graphics and Art

Thank you for the input.

Ken

________________________________

Keh-Hsun Chen (Ken), Ph.D.

Professor and Associate Chair

Department of Computer Science

410D Woodward Hall

704-687-8545

[email protected]

_____________________________________________

From: Strassberg, Roy

Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 4:07 PM

To: Chen, Ken

Subject: FW: Consultation for a new CS course proposal

Ken,

I just received this response, among others.

Roy

----------

From: Tweedy, Joan

Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 4:04 PM

To: Strassberg, Roy

Subject: RE: Consultation for a new CS course proposal

To Whom it May Concern,

I recommend that the title be changed to Visual Communications and Graphic Images.

Something that doesn’t include the word art. I don’t think they are proposing to teach how to

make art as much as how to make effective images. Art is such a loaded word, and in this

context I believe it is being misused, even though some of the images used may indeed be art.

Joan Tweedy, Assistant Professor of Art

Coordinator of Ceramics,

Department of Art

_____

From: Art Department Faculty [mailto:ART-F@LISTSERV.UNCC.EDU] On Behalf Of

Strassberg, Roy

Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 5:54 PM

To: list-ART-F

Subject: FW: Consultation for a new CS course proposal

Please review the enclosed proposed course and let me know if you support this as a new

offering in the Computer Science department.

Absent a response, I will send the required letter.

Thanks,

Roy

-----Original Message-----

From: Chen, Ken

Sent: Sat 12/9/2006 4:50 PM

To: Strassberg, Roy

Cc: Kosara, Robert; Wilson, David; Hodges, Larry

Subject: Consultation for a new CS course proposal

Dear Prof. Strassberg:

Dr. Kosara of Computer Science is proposing a new course ITCS 4123/5123 Visual

Communications. The Graduate Committee of College of Computing and Informatics believes a

consultation with Dept. of Art is in order, which I agree. Please review the attached proposal and

provide us a consultation letter at your earliest convenience. Thank you and wish you

Happy Holidays!

Regards,

Ken Chen

<<Proposal for ITCS 4123-5123.doc>>

________________________________

Keh-Hsun Chen (Ken), Ph.D.

Professor and Associate Chair

Department of Computer Science

410D Woodward Hall

704-687-8545

[email protected]

CICS 4123/5123: Visualization and Visual Communication - Syllabus

Course Catalog Description

CICS 4123/5123. Visualization and Visual Communication (3) Prerequisites: none.

Understanding the relatively technical field of visualization from the point of view of visual

communication, this course draws connections with photography, design, illustration, aesthetics,

and art. Both technical and theoretical aspects of the various fields are covered, and the

connections between them are investigated. Students from computer science, architecture, art,

and any other field are welcome. (Spring).

Prerequisites

None

Objectives of the course

To provide CS students with a broader understanding of visual communication and visualization,

and to encourage them to apply ideas from art and design in their work. Another intention is to

achieve a higher level of self-awareness and self-criticism in students' work, and thus increasing

the quality of their projects.

Instructional Method

This course incorporates lectures, guest lectures, in-class exercises and discussions, a group

project, individual assignments, and student presentations. In addition to completing projects and

assignments, students will also critique each others' work. This way, they will practice the self-

reflective and iterative way students in art usually work.

In addition, student work will be shown in a gallery setting on campus, to push the idea of

exposure and awareness of the impact of one's work even further – and also to increase the reach

of the class. A similar exhibit in Vienna proved very successful and very motivating for the

students.

Method of Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on: 2 exams, a group project, smaller individual assignments,

and presentations. They will count toward the grade as follows:

Homework: 25%

Project: 20%

Presentations: 20%

Midterm/Final: 35%

The project consists of the design and implementation of a visualization method for a data set.

Students from CS and other areas will work together on the design and interactive aspects of the

project. Attendance and participation are required in class.

Undergraduate students (4123) will only do one presentation (the final presentation), and also

work in larger groups (3-5 students). Graduate students (5123) will have to present a paper in

addition to the final project, and will work on the final project in smaller groups (two students,

one CS one from a different field).

The basic undergraduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Course Policies

University integrity: Students are expected to know and abide by the UNC Charlotte Code of

Student Academic Integrity. Students are expected to submit their own work, and fully cite any

sources used. Assignments or projects that are not appropriate in an academic setting, subject to

the instructor’s discretion, will not be accepted for a grade.

Attendance: Class attendance is a responsibility of each individual. If a student chooses not to

attend class, he/she is responsible for any handouts, announcement, and contents of missed

lectures.

Communication: Students are expected to read email and check the course website several

times each week.

Textbook and resources

There is no official textbook for this course. Reading materials will be put together from books

and conference and journal articles. Copies of the slides used in class will also be provided.

Software: Students’ choice, but Java using OpenGL will be recommended. It is also likely that

art students will be familiar with Adobe Flash.

Topics

12.Introduction

a) Basics of visualization

b) Visualization as visual communication

c) History of visualization

13.Photography

a) Pinhole camera

b) Lens camera

c) Use of aperture and exposure time

d) Shutter types and effects

e) Extended photography: tx-transform, generalized lens models

14.Visualization

a) Visualization overview

b) Structured and unstructured data, continuous and categorical data

c) Interaction

d) Color in visualization

15.Representation in Visualization

a) Spatial metaphors

b) Continuous and discrete metaphors

c) Representation theory (Goodman)

16.Illustration and Design

a) Design principles

b) Illustration principles

c) Differences design, illustration, visualization

17.Art

a) Short historical overview

b) Modern and postmodern theory

c) Selected artists

d) Aesthetics

e) Visualization in art

f) Artistic principles in visualization

g) Unifying principles

Attachment 4. Proposal for ITCS 5133/4133 Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006d

from the Department of Computer Science

Title: Addition of a new undergraduate course ITCS 4133: Numerical Computation Methods

and Analysis and a new graduate course ITCS 5133: Numerical Computation Methods and

Analysis

A. Proposal Summary and Catalog Copy

1. Summary

The Computer Science Department proposes to add two new courses to the undergraduate and

graduate curricula, ITCS 4133/5133 Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis and delete

ITCS 3123 Introduction to Numerical Methods

2. Proposed Catalog Copy

ITCS 4133. Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.(3) Prerequisite: ITCS 2214 and

either MATH 1120 or MATH 1241. Introduction to principles and techniques behind numerical

methods and algorithms that underly modern scientific and engineering applications. Roots of

equations; linear systems (direct methods, LU/QR factorization, iterative methods); Eigen values and

vectors; Interpolation, Approximation; Numerical Differentiation/Integration, ODEs and PDEs. (On

Demand).

ITCS 5133. Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.(3) Prerequisite: ITCS 2214 and

either MATH 1120 or MATH 1241. Introduction to principles and techniques behind numerical

methods and algorithms that underly modern scientific and engineering applications. Roots of

equations; linear systems (direct methods, LU/QR factorization, iterative methods); Eigen values and

vectors; Interpolation, Approximation; Numerical Differentiation/Integration, ODEs and PDEs. (On

Demand).

B. Justification

1. Need:

This proposal seeks to restructure and renumber the existing course, ITCS 3123: Introduction to

Numerical Methods, to a more appropriate number that reflects the level of the course. It also

seeks to introduce Masters level students to this course by adding ITCS 5133. This topic is of

considerable interest to the areas of scientific and engineering computing and crucial to

graduates working in real-world applications. We also believe this will be a useful elective to the

new programs in bioinformatics that are in development in the college of computing and

informatics.

2. Prerequisites/Corequisites:

This course is targeted at senior level students, as well as Masters students. Students should have

knowledge of basic data structures , such as ITCS 2214, as well as some calculus, such as Math

1241 or Math 1120. In addition, they should have reasonable software skills in a high level

language such as C++ or Java.

3. Course numbering:

The course numbers position this as senior level or Masters level course.

4. Effect on scope, quality, and efficiency:

The proposed course will be of interest to students with interests in scientific and

engineering computing applications. The topics covered in this course are essential to the

research programs in computer science and bioinformatics

C. Impact

1. Students Served:

The course will serve the curricular needs of undergraduate and MS graduate students in the

Computer Science Department, as well as students with interests in biomedical and

bioinformatics related computing. This course can potentially also be of interest to students in

the college of engineering.

2. Effect on existing courses and curricula:

a. The course will be offered approximately on demand. We expect it to be offered at least

once every 2 years.

b. The content and frequency of offering of other courses will not be affected.

c. The anticipated enrollment is about 10-15 students.

d. Enrollment in other elective courses will not be affected.

e. The computer science department has offered ITCS 3123: Introduction to Numerical

Methods for many years. This proposal renumbers this course and places it a more

appropriate level, as well as add a section for MS level students. The content of the

course has also been updated.

f. Affected areas of catalog copy: In curriculum outlines, and requirements for the degree,

the proposed courses should be listed as elective options.

D. Resources Required to Support Proposal

1. Personnel:

a. Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty.

No requirements for new faculty or increased load on present faculty. A student assistant

will be needed when the course enrollment exceeds 15 students.

b. List by name qualified faculty members interested in teaching the course(s).

Possible instructors include Drs Kalpathi Subramanian, Gyorgy Revesz, Bill Ribarsky,

Larry Hodges.

2. Physical Facility:

No new physical facilities are needed.

3. Equipment and Supplies:

No new equipment or supplies are needed to teach the courses.

4. Computer:

Specify requirements for computer usage by students and/or faculty, and include an assessment

of the adequacy of computing resources by Computing Services.

Students will use the Woodward 335 computer lab for course assignments and projects.. Existing

computing resources in CCI are adequate for the proposed course.

5. Audio-Visual:

Specify requirements for audio and/or visual equipment and media production services from

Media Services.

No A/V services are necessary for the courses, beyond existing presentation equipment in

classrooms.

6. Other Resources:

Specify and estimate cost of other new/added resources required, e.g., travel, communication,

printing and binding.

No additional resources are required.

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal.

None needed.

E. Consultation with Library and Other Departments or Units

1. Library Consultation: Attached

2. Consultation with other Departments or Units: SIS Department

F. Initiation and Consideration of Proposal

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. Attachments

1. Consultation with Library memo

2. Consultation with Department of Mathematics and Statistics

3. Syllabus for the proposed graduate course

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4133/5133: Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

9. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

10. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of

Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis and related subjects retrieved 6765

pertinent items. Of this total, 1764 have been acquired since 2000, so this is a current

and relevant collection. Because there is some overlap of subject headings, the actual

total number of titles will be somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if

bolstered by ongoing purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The

Library owns or has electronic access to 67 journals and 560 other electronic

resources that support this program. In addition, the library has approximately 20

electronic databases, many with links to full text articles, supporting the overall

Computing and Informatics programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Eigenvalue* 108 46 0 17

Gaussian elimination 10 9 0 3

Least squares 126 50 0 14

Linear algebra 199 50 2 12

Linear system* 465 200 2 56

Mathematical algorithm* 273 85 2 30

Mathematical approximation* 273 71 0 19

Mathematical computation* 651 158 16 80

Mathematical interpolation* 55 23 1 5

Mathematical iteration* 17 9 2 2

Mathematical method* 1921 349 23 118

Numeric* algorithm* 113 44 1 14

Numeric* approximation* 129 51 0 13

Numeric* computation* 103 33 3 12

Numeric* differentiation* 17 15 0 4

Numeric* equation* 564 124 1 36

Numeric* interpolation* 22 18 0 6

Numeric* iteration* 12 7 0 2

Numeric* method* 635 167 7 47

Partial differential equation* 475 61 3 23

Vector* 597 194 4 47

Totals 6765 1764 67 560

Dear Professor Chen

Thank you for your e-mail of December 9 informing the department of the proposal to create the

course

ITCS 4133/5133 Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.

The Math department does note some overlap with our existing courses

Math 5165 and Math 5171 but are satisfied that the computational

emphasis of the ITCS course as opposed to the analysis emphasis of the Math courses will result in

quite different courses which will meet the legitimate needs of differing groups of students. Our

department would not accept completion of ITCS 4133/5133 as a substitute for our courses and we

would allow students who have completed ITCS 4133/5133 to take any of our graduate courses for

full credit. I leave it for your committee to decide if students who have completed the Math courses

should receive credit for subsequently taking ITCS 4133/5133 but I suspect that it would be such a

rare occurrence that it may be pretty much a moot point. I have no objection to leaving the courses

completely independent.

In summary, thank you for consulting with our department and, on behalf of the department, we do

not have any objections to the creation and offering of the course.

Sincerely

Alan Dow

Chair

Mathematics and Statistics

UNC Charlotte, NC 28223

ITCS 4133/5133: Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis

ITCS 4133. Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.(3) Prerequisite ITCS 2214 and

either MATH 1120 or MATH 1241. Introduction to principles and techniques behind numerical

methods and algorithms that underly modern scientific and engineering applications. Roots of

equations; linear systems (direct methods, LU/QR factorization, iterative methods); Eigen values and

vectors; Interpolation, Approximation; Numerical Differentiation/Integration, ODEs and PDEs. (On

Demand).

ITCS 5133. Numerical Computation Methods and Analysis.(3) Prerequisite: ITCS 2214 and

either MATH 1120 or MATH 1241. Introduction to principles and techniques behind numerical

methods and algorithms that underly modern scientific and engineering applications. Roots of

equations; linear systems (direct methods, LU/QR factorization, iterative methods); Eigen values and

vectors; Interpolation, Approximation; Numerical Differentiation/Integration, ODEs and PDEs. (On

Demand).

Prerequisites

ITCS 2214 and either MATH 1241 or MATH 1120.

Objectives of the course

Providing computer science students with the basic knowledge of numerical techniques,

algorithms and the means to analyze such techniques. The content of this course will be integral

to scientific and engineering computing applications.

Instructional Method

This course will be taught primarily through lectures.

Method of Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on: individual programming projects, 2 quizzes and a final

exam.

Projects: 40%

Quizzes 30%

Final: 30%

Final grade will be assigned based on the projects, 2 quizzes and final exam. A normal 90-80-70-

60 scheme will be employed for the final grade. For students in ITCS 5133, additional

requirements will be part of course projects, as well as the final exam, with more emphasis on the

analytical aspects of the course.

The basic undergraduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Course Policies

University integrity: Students are expected to know and abide by the UNC Charlotte Code of

Student Academic Integrity. Students are expected to submit their own work, except when

working as part of a team.

Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory. If a student misses a class, he/she is responsible for

any handouts, announcement, and contents of missed lectures.

Communication: Students are expected to read email and check the course website several

times each week.

Textbook and resources

Suggested References:

• Numerical Methods: Algorithms and Applications, Laurene Fausett, Prentice Hall, 2003.

• Numerical Methods for Engineers, B.M. Ayyub, R.H. McCuen, Prentice Hall, 1996.

• Numerical Analysis, Richard Burden, Douglas Faires, 7

edition, Brooks/Cole, 2001.

Software:

All needed software tools are either available or are open-source.

Topics

1. Foundations

a. Sample problems, numerical methods

b. Linear algebra background

c. Numerical precision

d. Algorithms: performance, complexity

2. Roots of Equations

a. Bisection Method

b. Regula Falsi, Secant Methods

c. Newton’s , Muller’s methods

d. Analysis

3. Linear Systems

a. Direct Methods(Gaussian Elimination, Pivoting, Tridiagonal Systems)

b. LU/QR Factorization

c. Iterative Methods (Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel Methods, Successive Over-Relaxation)

4. Interpolation, Approximation

a. Polynomial Interpolation

b. Spline Interpolation(Linear, quadratic, Cubic)

c. Least Squares Approximation (Linear, Quadratic)

d. Continuous Least Squares Approximation

5. Numerical Differentiation and Approximation

a. Differentiation

b. Numerical Integration (Trapezoidal, Simpson Rules)

c. Gaussian Quadrature

6. Ordinary Differential Equations

a. Taylor Methods

b. Runge-Kuttta Methods

c. Multi-Step Methods

d. Stability

7. Partial Differential Equations

a. Classification of PDEs

b. Heat Equation (Parabolic)

c. Wave Equation (Hyperbolic)

d. Poisson Equation (Elliptic)

Attachment 5. Proposal for ITCS 5146/4146 Grid Computing

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006e

From Department of Computer Science

“Establishment of a course in Grid Computing”

A. PROPOSAL SUMMARY AND CATALOG COPY.

1. SUMMARY.

The purpose of this proposal is to establish an elective course in Grid computing for senior

undergraduates (ITCS 4146) and an elective course in grid computing for first year graduate

students (ITCS 5146).

2. PROPOSED CATALOG COPY.

ITCS 4146 Grid Computing

3 Credit hours

Prerequisite: ITCS 1215

Grid computing software components, standards, web services, security mechanisms, schedulers

and resource brokers, workflow editors, grid portals, grid computing applications. (Spring)

ITCS 5146 Grid Computing

3 Credit hours

Prerequisite: ITCS 1215 or Graduate Standing

Grid computing software components, standards, web services, security mechanisms, schedulers

and resource brokers, workflow editors, grid portals, grid computing applications. (Spring)

B. JUSTIFICATION.

1. Need Addressed Grid computing uses geographically distributed and interconnected

computers collectively for computing and resource sharing. Grid computing usually involves

teams working together on a common goal, sharing computers and resources and possibly

experimental equipment. The concept of Grid computing was first demonstrated in the mid-

1990’s and since then has grown in importance both in the scientific community, and more

recently in the business community, as a way of sharing resources and computing power.

The proposed course was taught in Fall 2004 as a topics course on NCREN (North Carolina

Research and Education Network) after receiving funding from the National Science Foundation

and the University of North Carolina Office of the President. Seven North Carolina universities

received the course providing students, or both students and computing equipment to form the

Grid for the course. Thirty-four students enrolled in the course from the seven universities. The

course was taught again in Fall 2005 on NCREN and that case twelve North Carolina

universities were involved. Forty-three students enrolled in the course from nine universities.

Most students in the course were senior undergraduates although there were about four graduate

students (who were given additional coursework). Several faculty elected to be in attendance.

The institutions that received the course in 2004 and 2005 included:

• Appalachian State University

• Elon University

• Lenoir Rhyne College

• NC Central University

• NC State University

• University of North Carolina at Asheville

• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• University of North Carolina at Pembroke

• University of North Carolina at Wilmington

• Western Carolina University

• Winston-Salem State University

• Wake Technical Community College (faculty only)

Clearly there is a statewide interest in this course. It is perhaps one of the first such courses,

nationally and internationally (see

http://www.cs.uncc.edu/~abw/gridarticles/gridcourse_more.html).

2. Prerequisites The course is a programming course with several detailed programming

assignments. To take the course, students are expected already to have basic programming skills

preferably in Java and C and also are able to learn how to do Linux command-line programming

actions. A necessary undergraduate prerequisite is ITCS 1215 (with ITCS 1214), which covers

basic programming skills.

3. Course Numbering It is proposed to target senior undergraduate and first year graduate

students in Computer Science and Engineering, as was done with the NCREN grid computing

topics courses. Such courses are numbered ITCS 4xxx/5xxx.

4. Improvement to Programs There are currently only eight 4000/5000 level courses offered in

Computer Science, yet at least forty-two 6000 level courses for graduate students, not including

special topics courses. The proposed courses provide additional state-of-the-art electives for both

undergraduates and graduate students.

C. IMPACT.

1. Groups of Students The BS program in Computer Science require students to take at least 9

hours at the 3000 level or above and 6 hours at the 4000 or above level or above. The proposed

ITCS 4146 course can be used to satisfy this requirement partially. With departmental approval,

undergraduate Computer Science students in the early entry MS program can take the proposed

course at the 5000 level (ITCS 5146) for both their BS and MS degrees.

The 5000 level version of the proposed course is primarily for MS graduate students in

Computer Science and related areas, and satisfies one of the courses students can take towards

their 30 hours (although at least 15 hours must be at the 6000 level for CS MS graduate

students). The MS program in Computer Science also requires three courses to be selected as a

concentration. The proposed course is a suitable course, which together with the existing courses

ITCS 5145 Parallel Computing and ITCS 6182 Advanced Computer Architecture could form a

concentration focusing on high performance computing. It could be used with ITCS 5145 and

ITCS 6166 Computer Communications and Networks for a concentration focusing on distributed

computing. It could be used simply as a free elective.

2. Affect on Existing Courses Any new course affects the existing course enrollments to some

extent but the current limited offerings at the 4000/5000 level in Computer Science suggests that

the there will not be any significant adverse affect adding another one.

(a) Course frequency: The course will be offered every Spring.

(b) Affect on other courses: The Grid computing course does not affect the contents of any

other Computer Science course. The subject matter is not covered in any other Computer Science

course (apart from a small overlap on grid security that may appear in the context of Internet

security). The new rotation schedule of CS graduate courses is attached with the Computer

Science MS Program Revision Proposal.

2005, six Charlotte students enrolled in the course (43 students overall). The small number of

Charlotte students can be partly attributed to the instructor (B. Wilkinson) only just returning

from leave of absence and being unknown to students. It is expected that perhaps 10-20 students

would registers in subsequent years.

No changes are needed to curriculum outlines, requirements for the degree, etc., other than

listing ITCS 4146/ITCS5146 as a Computer Science elective.

D. RESOURCES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT PROPOSAL.

1. Personal.

(a) None. Existing faculty would teach the course.

(b) B. Wilkinson, Professor of Computer Science, is qualified to teach the course.

2. Physical Facility

No new facilities required.

3. Equipment and Supplies

No new equipment. Existing computers to be used, see below.

4. Computer

Four dual Xeon Blade servers were purchased from a grant to teach the course as a topics course. The

same computer systems will be used to teach the course as a catalog course.

5. Audio-Visual

If the course is taught on NCREN as done previously, NCREN facilities will be needed. The course

may also be taught in-house and not on NCREN.

6. Other Resources

None

7. Funding

None required

E. CONSULTATION WITH THE LIBRARY AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR UNITS

1. Library Consultation Attached

2. Consultation with Other departments of units SIS Department

F. INITIATION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSAL.

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. ATTACHMENTS

1. Consultation with Library memo

2. Syllabus for the proposed graduate course

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4146/5156: Grid Computing

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

11. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

12. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of Grid

Computing and related subjects retrieved 2778 pertinent items. Of this total, 1319

have been acquired since 2000, so this is a current and relevant collection. Because

there is some overlap of subject headings, the actual total number of titles will be

somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if bolstered by ongoing

purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The Library owns or has

electronic access to 32 journals and 910 other electronic resources that support this

program. In addition, the library has approximately 20 electronic databases, many

with links to full text articles, supporting the overall Computing and Informatics

programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Grid Computing

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Computational grid* 21 15 2 8

Computer network architecture 79 36 0 14

Computer resource manage* 463 236 0 357

Computer schedul* 97 41 0 16

Computing infrastructure* 202 138 1 64

Computing network* 287 113 9 102

Grid architecture 13 10 0 2

Grid comput* 23 16 2 14

Grid infrastructure* 7 6 1 2

Grid security 12 11 0 3

High performance comput* 208 71 10 67

Internet network* 1214 507 7 249

Service oriented architecture 14 11 0 1

Virtual organization* 138 108 0 15

Totals 2778 1319 32 914

TO ADD WHEN DONE

ITCS 4146/5146 Grid Computing

ITCS 4146 Grid Computing. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 1215.

Grid computing software components, standards, web services, security mechanisms, schedulers

and resource brokers, workflow editors, grid portals, grid computing applications. (Spring)

ITCS 5146 Grid Computing. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 1215 or Graduate Standing.

Grid computing software components, standards, web services, security mechanisms, schedulers and

resource brokers, workflow editors, grid portals, grid computing applications. (Spring)

Course Objectives:

This course will introduce students to grid computing. Upon completion of this course, students will

learn:

• How to program web services and clients that interact with web services (as web services are

the basis of modern grid infrastructure).

• How to program grid services (the form of web services used in grid computing) and clients

that interact with grid services.

• The security mechanisms used in grid computing including personally requesting certificates

from a certificate authority and handling the signed certificate.

• How to submit grid computing jobs, including RSL job specification.

• How to interact with a job schedule and submit jobs with resource requirements.

• How to use a grid computing workflow editor to submit complex intercommunicating web

and grid services.

• The technical internal structure of grid portals and portlets.

Detailed list of topics:

Grid computing, Virtual organizations, computational grid projects, grid computing networks,

TeraGrid, grid projects in the US and around the world, grid challenges

Internet Technologies, IP addresses, HTTP, URL, HTTP, XML, Telnet, FTP, SSL

Web Services, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), service registry, XML documents, XML

schema, namespaces, SOAP, XML/SOAP examples, AxisWSDL, portType, message definition,

WSDL to/from code

Grid Computing Standards, Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA), Web Services Resource

Framework (WSRF), Globus 4.0, components, creating a GT 4 service and clients.

Security, Secure connection, authorization requirements, symmetric and asymmetric

(public/private) key cryptography, non-repudiation, digital signatures, certificates, certificate

authorities, X509 certificate

Information Directory Services, LDAP, resource discovery

GT 4 Job submission, Basic structure (version 4.0), service container, service browser, Globus

Resource Allocation Manager (GRAM), job submission with globusrun-ws, Grid Security

Infrastructure (GSI), Globus certificates, simpleCA, proxies, creating a proxy, Resource

management, resource Specification Language, syntax and examples in RSL and RSl-2.

Schedulers and resource brokers, Condor, submit description file, DAGMan, Checkpointing,

ClassAd, Condor-G, Sun Grid Engine

High Performance computing (HPC) techniques suitable for grid computing, Techniques for high

performance computing, brief introduction to MPI.

Workflow editors, GridNexus, JXPL

Grid portals, Examples and design using JSP 168

Grid computing Applications, Scientific, business

Instructional Method:

The course will be presented as a lecture course, possibly but not necessarily, broadcast on NCREN

across the State of North Carolina. Students will access the computers used for the course remotely

for programming assignments. WebCT will be used for assignment submission, quizzes, and grade

reporting to students (to include feedback). Guest lecturers were invited at the end of the Fall 2004

and Fall 2005 courses and this practice will be continued for NCREN courses. Extensive slides

(600+) and other details of the Fall 2005 grid computing topics course can be found at

http://www.cs.uncc.edu/~abw/ITCS4010F05/.

Means of student evaluation:

Students will be evaluated though programming assignments, class tests and multiple-choice WebCT

reality-check quizzes, a presentation, and final test. For each assignment, a 6-10 page Word

document is required that shows how the assignment instructions were followed and all tasks were

performed. Screen shots are required in the document and submitted through WebCT. The number

of screen shots is up to the student but it should demonstrate that the programs worked.

Each assignment will have three dates posted on the course home page:

• Date set

• Date to report systems problems (typically 3-5 days after the date set)

• Date due

which are very firm.

• Students MUST report any system problems that are preventing them from completing an

assignment by the date to report systems problems so that students can be given an account

elsewhere on the grid if necessary.

• No extensions will be allowed if problems are not reported by the system reporting date

unless there are documented unresolved system problems.

Grading

Several programming assignments: 45%

Assignment 1 Web service Java programming assignment. Tomcat

Assignment 2 GT4 service programming assignment. Globus 4.0 environment.

Assignment 2a “Sticky Note” tutorial.

Assignment 3 Submitting a Job to the Grid, GT4 globusrun-ws, job specified in RSL-2

Assignment 4 Submitting an SGE Job

Assignment 5 Using GridNexus

Additional assignments/presentations/quizzes 15%

Class tests (2) 25%

Final test 15%

Graduate students (ITCS 5146): Graduate students will have additional work including a term paper

to write and present on a grid computing topic. Also each assignment has an additional challenge

part to be done by graduate students. These parts are available to undergraduate students for extra

credit.

The basic undergraduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Policies that apply to the course:

Attendance Policy

Attendance is expected. Attendance will be recorded. If a student misses classes, it can have a

deleterious effect on their grade. After 4 missed classes without good reason: 2 marks are taken off

the overall accumulated marks (out of 100) for each additional class missed. If a student must miss

class, he/she must see the instructor beforehand to avoid losing marks.

University integrity

All submitted assignments must be the student’s own work. Copied work or work done by more than

one person (unless specifically instructed) will not be accepted - at the very minimum, zero credit.

The UNC-C Code of Student Academic Integrity applies to both assignments and tests. No work will

be accepted after the due date without good reason. Each assignment has

Class Expectations

• Print out slides before class, read them, and annotate them during class.

• Read key papers and other materials provided.

• Ask questions during class and participate in class discussion.

Grading policies

The basic undergraduate grading is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

The basic graduate grading is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Additional requirements - Instructions for site interaction when NCREN facility used:

Each site will be using their NCREN facility, which provides microphones for individuals to speak.

The following announcement will be made:

• Please feel fee to speak at suitable times but remember that the NCREN needs to be able to

recognize the site and speaker, so first announce your institution.

• Since most microphones are turned one all the time, any sound will be heard across all sites

unless a site turns their microphones off, so try to avoid unnecessary sounds.

• Fans from laptop can be especially disturbing, so move laptop away from a microphone.

Textbooks

There is no assigned course textbook. A suitable book does not exist. Materials and links are

provided on the course home page. For more information see

http://www.cs.uncc.edu/~abw/ITCS4010F05. The following books are listed as additional reading:

“The Grid Core Technologies,” M. Li and M. Baker, Wiley, 2005, ISBN 0-470-09417-6.

“Grid Computing Making the Global Infrastructure a Reality,” F. Berman, G. C. Fox and A. J. G.

Hey editors, Wiley, 2003, ISBN 0-470-85319-0.

“The Grid 2, Blueprint for a New Computing Intrastructure,” I. Foster and C. Kesselman editors,

Morgan Kaufmann, 2004, ISBN 1-55860-933-4.

“Grid Computing,” J. Joseph and C. Fellenstein, Prentice Hall/IBM Press, 2004, ISBN 0-13-

145660-1.

“Grid Computing: A Practical Guide to Technology and Applications,” by A. Abbas, Charles

River Media, Inc., 2004, ISBN 1-58450-276-2.

Attachment 6. Proposal for ITCS 5232/4232 Game Design and Development Studio

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006f

From: Department of Computer Science

TITLE: ESTABLISHMENT OF A CAPSTONE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COURSE IN GAME

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

A. PROPOSAL SUMMARY AND CATALOG COPY:

1. SUMMARY:

The Computer Science Department proposes to add two new courses in the area of Game

Design and Development: a capstone course to the undergraduate and graduate curriculums

in gaming. These courses should be considered electives in general.

2. PROPOSED CATALOG COPY:

ITCS 4232. Game Design and Development Studio. (3) Prerequisite: ((ITCS-4120 OR ITCS-

4130) AND ITCS-4231 AND one approved game elective) OR consent of instructor.

Application of advanced concepts and techniques for electronic game design and development.

Teams will use engineering techniques to incorporate game programming

and scripting, networking, graphics, physics, audio, game data structures

and algorithms, and artificial intelligence into an electronic game. Individuals

will develop a complete portfolio of prior work and the class project. (Spring) (Evenings)

ITCS 5232. Game Design and Development Studio. (3) Prerequisite: (ITCS-5120 AND ITCS-

5231 AND one approved game elective) OR consent of instructor. Application of advanced

concepts and techniques for electronic game design and development.

Teams will use engineering techniques to incorporate game programming

and scripting, networking, graphics, physics, audio, game data structures

and algorithms, and artificial intelligence into an electronic game. Individuals

will develop a complete portfolio of prior work and the class project. (Spring) (Evenings)

JUSTIFICATION

1. Need:

The proposed courses address several needs for the Computer Science Department, the College

of Computing and Informatics, UNC Charlotte, and the state of North Carolina. First,

enrollments into computer science and related fields are dropping across the nation even though,

according the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for jobs in IT-related fields will be higher than

demand in most other sectors of the economy. If these projections are correct and current

enrollment trends continue, we may face a shortage of IT workers in the US. Game courses are

very attractive to students, and gaming has surpassed film and movies in the economy. There are

few game-related curricular programs at universities in the country. Providing this service will

make UNC Charlotte and the College of Computing and Informatics unique.

A key component for a rounded technical education is the ability to apply classroom theory and

knowledge in practice. This polishing creates better game developers for industry and scientists

in this field, solidifies the knowledge learned by the student, and aids in developing a portfolio of

work which is essential for gaining employment in the games industry.

North Carolina is particularly well situated to become a leader in attracting and producing game

designers and developers. Two of the three main game engine companies are in North Carolina,

Epic Software and Numeric Design Limited. The North Carolina Serious Games Initiative, a

pioneering organization, supports the development of game technologies in business, education,

training, and medical applications. Several companies, including 3DSolve and Virtual Heroes,

that develop serious games technologies, reside in North Carolina. Other game companies, such

as Red Storm Entertainment, are also located here in NC. These companies have already sent

representatives to the Game Design course to give talks, have expressed interest in hiring student

interns in the future, and are excited to see universities in NC offering courses that will prepare

students to work in the game industry.

Given the size and state of the gaming and interactive media industries, supporting focused

curricula is needed at universities, and can be particularly valuable for such companies here in

NC. More importantly, games are becoming recognized as one avenue for increasing

enrollments in computer science, as evidenced by Microsoft Research’s Game Curriculum

Request for Proposals in 2004-2005. Computer Science and the College of Computing and

Informatics can benefit from providing this service by recruiting more students and rejuvenating

interest in computing related fields.

2. Prerequisites/corequisites:

ITCS 4120/5120 Introduction to Computer Graphics, ITCS 4231/5231 Advanced Game Design

and Development, and (1) approved game elective in the following areas are required as

prerequisites. The elective areas are artificial intelligence, networks, audio processing,

computational geometry, computational physics, computer graphics, and specialized game

design (e.g., massively multiplayer online game design). This class is intended as a capstone for

the game certificate sequence. The game certificate requires two electives. The purpose of

requiring all of the graphics and gaming classes plus one elective is to ensure that students are at

or near the end of the certificate classes. The development of a portfolio element and the skills

needed to create balanced project teams require the prerequisites and the specialization class

(elective) of the students. Prerequisites can be waived for advanced students with permission of

the Game Design and Development Program Directors or the Department Chair.

3. Course numbering:

ITCS 4232 is intended as a senior-level course, so that students have had exposure to a broad

range of computer science courses and experience in more complex group assignments and/or

projects. ITCS 5232 is intended to be an intermediate level graduate course. ITCS 4232/5232

are each intended as a second-semester, major team project extension of ITCS 4231/5231.

4. Effect on scope, quality, and efficiency:

These proposed courses will broaden the scope of the computer science curriculum to include the

application of a host of computing skills in designing and implementing games. The use of

games, and the connection between the university and the games industry will motivate students

to excel in computer science, and thus improve the quality of our graduates and hence the quality

of our program.

C. IMPACT

1. Students served:

Undergraduate and graduate majors in computer science will have an additional pair of courses

as electives for the major, which integrate their computing skills. This is the capstone class for

the Certificate in Computer Game Design and Development.

2. Effect on existing courses and curricula:

a. ITCS 4232/5232 will be offered each spring.

b. The content of other courses will not be affected. The new rotation schedule of CS

graduate courses is attached with the Computer Science MS Program Revision Proposal.

c. The anticipated enrollment is ITCS 4232: 20 students/ spring semester, ITCS5232: 15

students/ spring semester

d. This new course is part of the CS MS program revision.

e. ITCS 4230/5230 has been offered twice as a special topic course (ITCS 4010/5010) in

Spring 2005 and Fall 2005. The enrollment for the course in Spring 2005 was approximately

38 undergraduates in ITCS 4010 and 5 graduate students in ITCS 5010. The enrollment for

the course in Fall 2005 was 2 undergraduates and 4 graduate students. This low enrollment

was probably due to the fact that the course was taught in two consecutive semesters, so

those seniors interested in the course had already taken it, and due to the lack of its being

labeled as a game course in the catalog. Students are very enthusiastic about the course.

Two students in fall 2005 have been in contact with the game industry and may have a game

they are developing purchased. Games created in the course have demonstrated complex

programming and software engineering techniques, as well as creativity in design and

gameplay. Students have also created game design documents, reports, demonstrations, and

presentations of professional quality, which will help them in their future careers.

f. Affected areas of catalog copy: In curriculum outlines, and requirements for the degree,

the proposed courses should be listed as elective options.

H. RESOURCES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT PROPOSAL.

1. Personnel

a. Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty.

No requirements for new faculty or increased load on present faculty.

b. List by name qualified faculty members interested in teaching the course(s).

Drs. Tiffany Barnes and Michael Youngblood are qualified to teach the course. Dr.

Barnes has taught ITCS 5220 and 5231. Dr. Youngblood has taught “AI for Computer

Games” at UNCC and “Software Engineering for Computer Games” at The University of

Texas at Arlington.

2. Physical Facility

No new physical facilities are needed, beyond a regular classroom to teach the class.

3. Equipment and Supplies

No new equipment and supplies are needed to teach the courses.

4. Computer

Specify requirements for computer usage by students and/or faculty, and include an

assessment of the adequacy of computing resources by Computing Services.

Students will use their own computers or those in the Woodward 335 for course

assignments and projects. Faculty will use their own existing computers for course

preparation. Computing resources are adequate for both courses.

5. Audio-Visual

Specify requirements for audio and/or visual equipment and media production services

from Media Services.

No A/V services are necessary for the courses, beyond existing presentation equipment in

classrooms.

6. Other Resources

Specify and estimate cost of other new/added resources required, e.g., travel,

communication, printing and binding.

No additional resources are required.

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal.

None needed.

I. CONSULTATION WITH THE LIBRARY AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR UNITS

1. Library Consultation

Attached

2. Consultation with other departments or units

SIS Department.

J. INITIATION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSAL

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

K. A

TTACHMENTS

Consultation with Library memo

2. ITCS4232 course outline including basic topics to be covered and suggested textbooks and

reference materials with dates of publication.

3. Syllabi for graduate courses ITCS 5232

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4232/5232: Game Design and Development Studio

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

13. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

14. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of Game

Design and Development Studio and related subjects retrieved 2846 pertinent items.

Of this total, 761 have been acquired since 2000, so this is a current and relevant

collection. Because there is some overlap of subject headings, the actual total number

of titles will be somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if bolstered by

ongoing purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The Library owns or

has electronic access to 38 journals and 815 other electronic resources that support

this program. In addition, the library has approximately 20 electronic databases,

many with links to full text articles, supporting the overall Computing and

Informatics programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Game Design and Development Studio

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Artificial intelligence 1121 93 20 155

Audio programming 16 9 0 1

C (Computer programming

language)

124 42 0 45

Computer game* 252 130 0 74

Computer graphics 650 133 14 152

DirectX 21 19 0 19

Electronic game* 382 152 1 263

Game design* 9 5 0 3

Game programming 88 66 0 42

Interactive media 23 7 0 3

Video game* 50 26 0 8

Virtual reality 73 59 2 34

Visual programming 25 10 1 12

“Visual Studio” 12 10 0 4

Totals 2846 761 38 815

ITCS 4232 Game Design and Development Studio - Outline

Course Catalog Description

ITCS 4232. Game Design and Development Studio. (3) Prerequisite: ((ITCS-4120 OR ITCS-

4130) AND ITCS-4231 AND one approved game elective) OR consent of instructor. Application

of advanced concepts and techniques for electronic game design and development. This course is

a major capstone project course where students apply knowledge from ITCS 4230, 4231, and

game development related electives as part of a team project to develop an electronic game. All

phases of the engineering process will be explored from requirements through design,

implementation, testing, distribution, and maintenance. Advanced game programming and

scripting, networking, graphics, physics, audio, game data structures and algorithms, and artificial

intelligence will be incorporated into a single integrated electronic game. The requirements of and

a complete portfolio of prior work and the class project will be developed. (Spring)

Prerequisites

ITCS 4120, ITCS 4231, and (1) Approved Game Elective

Objectives of the course

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Learn to apply prior knowledge to develop from concept-to-delivery a complete interactive

computer game

2. Demonstrate software engineering principles as applied to game development

3. Demonstrate advanced skills as a team in all areas of game development, including: graphics,

physics, audio, networking, performance optimization, artificial intelligence, user interface

design, interactivity, and procedurally-generated content

4. Design and implement a complex electronic game as part of a team through all phases of

development which shall include the idea pitch, requirements, high-level design, low-level

design, user documentation, implementation, testing, delivery, and maintenance

5. Learn to critically evaluate and test computer games

6. Communicate game design and development ideas effectively with both technical and non-

technical audiences

Instructional Method

This course incorporates lectures, guest lectures, in-class exercises and discussions, a team

project, and many student demonstrations and presentations.

Method of Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on a team project with several stages of deliverables (pitch,

requirements, design, implementation, testing, delivery, and maintenance feature patch). The

project, a team implementation of a complete computer game, includes evaluation of the game as

well as presentations at each development stage throughout the course of the game design and

development. Attendance and participation are required in class. For each absence beyond the

third absence, 5 points may be deducted from a student’s overall grade.

A standard 10-point grading scale will be used for the class (A: 90-100, B: 80-90, …).

The basic undergraduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

60 -69.9 D

Below 60 F

Course Policies

University integrity: Students are expected to know and abide by the UNC Charlotte Code of

Student Academic Integrity. Students are expected to submit their own work, and fully cite any

sources used. Assignments or projects that are not appropriate in an academic setting, subject to

the instructor’s discretion, will not be accepted for a grade.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. For each absence beyond the third absence, 5 points may

be deducted from a student’s overall grade.

Communication: Students are expected to read email and check the course website several

times each week.

Textbook and resources

Title: Introduction to Game Development

Edited by: Steve Rabin

ISBN: 1-58450-377-7

Charles River Media, May 2005

Title: The Mythical Man-month

Author: Fred Brooks

ISBN: 0-20100-650-2

Addison-Wesley, January 1975 (This is a seminal book on Software Engineering teams)

Title: Peopleware: Producrive Projects and Teams

Authors: Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister

ISBN: 0-93263-343-9

Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated; 2nd edition (February 1, 1999)

Additional Optional Texts:

• 3D Games - Real-Time Rendering and Software Technology by Alan Watt and Fabio

Policarpo, 2000.

• Game Programming Gems Series, edited by Mark DeLoura and others, editions 1-6, pub.

Dates 2000-2006.

• AI Game Programming Wisdom Series, edited by Steve Rabin, 2002, 2003, 2004

• Chris Crawford on Game Design by Chris Crawford, 2003.

• Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman, 2003.

Software:

• DirectX

o This software is available for free download at www.microsoft.com

• C/C++/C#

o Any development environment (Visual Studio available on campus and through

www.msdn.com)

• Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express

o Freely downloadable.

Topics

1. Developing the Game Idea – Concept & Beginning Preproduction Phases

a. Building the team

b. Establishing ground rules, processes, and a creative environment

c. Rough Cost and Time Estimations

d. Elements of the Pitch

e. The Pitch

f. Evaluating the Pitch

g. Development Agreement

2. Game Design & Requirements – Preproduction Phase

a. Game Design Document (GDD)

b. Cost and Time Estimations

c. Milestones

d. Intellectual Property

3. Game Detailed Design – Preproduction Phase

a. Technical Design Document (TDD)

b. Risk Management

c. Profit and Loss Analysis

4. Game Implementation – Production Phase

a. Profiling for efficient code

b. Real-time demands

c. Multi-processing

d. Early Demos

e. Asset Management

f. Team Dynamics

g. Overcoming obstacles (time, money, resources, technical, and personal)

h. Promotion

5. Game Testing and Delivery – Postproduction Phase

a. Play Testing and the Test Plan

b. Quality Assurance

c. Localization

d. ESRB Rating

e. Box & Docs

f. Release

6. Game Maintenance

a. Post-release fixes

b. Add-on packs

c. Post Mortem evaluations

d. Legal issues

ITCS 5232 Game Design and Development Studio - Syllabus

Course Catalog Description

ITCS 5232. Game Design and Development Studio. (3) Prerequisite: (ITCS-5120 AND ITCS-

5231 AND one approved game elective) OR consent of instructor. Application of advanced

concepts and techniques for electronic game design and development. This course is a major

capstone project course where students apply knowledge from ITCS 5230, 5231, and game

development related electives as part of a team project to develop an electronic game. All phases

of the engineering process will be explored from requirements through design, implementation,

testing, distribution, and maintenance. Advanced game programming and scripting, networking,

graphics, physics, audio, game data structures and algorithms, and artificial intelligence will be

incorporated into a single integrated electronic game. The requirements of and a complete

portfolio of prior work and the class project will be developed. (Spring)

Prerequisites

ITCS 5120, ITCS 5231, and (1) Approved Game Elective

Objectives of the course

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Learn to apply prior knowledge to develop from concept-to-delivery a complete interactive

computer game

2. Demonstrate software engineering principles as applied to game development

3. Demonstrate advanced skills as a team in all areas of game development, including: graphics,

physics, audio, networking, performance optimization, artificial intelligence, user interface

design, interactivity, and procedurally-generated content

4. Design and implement a complex electronic game as part of a team through all phases of

development which shall include the idea pitch, requirements, high-level design, low-level

design, user documentation, implementation, testing, delivery, and maintenance

5. Learn to critically evaluate and test computer games

6. Communicate game design and development ideas effectively with both technical and non-

technical audiences

Instructional Method

This course incorporates lectures, guest lectures, in-class exercises and discussions, a team

project, and many student demonstrations and presentations.

Method of Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on: a team project with several stages of deliverables (pitch,

requirements, design, implementation, testing, delivery, and maintenance feature patch). The

project, a team implementation of a complete computer game, includes evaluation of the game as

well as presentations at each development stage throughout the course of the game design and

development. Attendance and participation are required in class. For each absence beyond the

third absence, 5 points may be deducted from a student’s overall grade.

A standard 10-point grading scale will be used for the class (A: 90-100, B: 80-90, …).

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Course Policies

University integrity: Students are expected to know and abide by the UNC Charlotte Code of

Student Academic Integrity. Students are expected to submit their own work, and fully cite any

sources used. Assignments or projects that are not appropriate in an academic setting, subject to

the instructor’s discretion, will not be accepted for a grade.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. For each absence beyond the third absence, 5 points may

be deducted from a student’s overall grade.

Communication: Students are expected to read email and check the course website several

times each week.

Textbook and resources

Title: Introduction to Game Development

Edited by: Steve Rabin

ISBN: 1-58450-377-7

Charles River Media, May 2005

Title: The Mythical Man-month

Author: Fred Brooks

ISBN: 0-20100-650-2

Addison-Wesley, January 1975 (This is a seminal book on Software Engineering teams)

Title: Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams

Authors: Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister

ISBN: 0-93263-343-9

Dorset House Publishing Company, Incorporated; 2nd edition (February 1, 1999)

Additional Optional Texts:

• 3D Games - Real-Time Rendering and Software Technology by Alan Watt and Fabio

Policarpo, 2000.

• Game Programming Gems Series, edited by Mark DeLoura and others, editions 1-6, pub.

Dates 2000-2006.

• AI Game Programming Wisdom Series, edited by Steve Rabin, 2002, 2003, 2004

• Chris Crawford on Game Design by Chris Crawford, 2003.

• Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals by Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman, 2003.

Software:

• DirectX

o This software is available for free download at www.microsoft.com

• C/C++/C#

o Any development environment (Visual Studio available on campus and through

www.msdn.com)

• Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express

o Freely downloadable.

Topics

1. Developing the Game Idea – Concept & Beginning Preproduction Phases

a. Building the team

b. Establishing ground rules, processes, and a creative environment

c. Rough Cost and Time Estimations

d. Elements of the Pitch

e. The Pitch

f. Evaluating the Pitch

g. Development Agreement

2. Game Design & Requirements – Preproduction Phase

a. Game Design Document (GDD)

b. Cost and Time Estimations

c. Milestones

d. Intellectual Property

3. Game Detailed Design – Preproduction Phase

a. Technical Design Document (TDD)

b. Risk Management

c. Profit and Loss Analysis

4. Game Implementation – Production Phase

a. Profiling for efficient code

b. Real-time demands

c. Multi-processing

d. Early Demos

e. Asset Management

f. Team Dynamics

g. Overcoming obstacles (time, money, resources, technical, and personal)

h. Promotion

5. Game Testing and Delivery – Postproduction Phase

a. Play Testing and the Test Plan

b. Quality Assurance

c. Localization

d. ESRB Rating

Box & Docs

f. Release

6. Game Maintenance

a. Post-release fixes

b. Add-on packs

c. Post Mortem evaluations

d. Legal issues

Difference between 4232/5232

In addition to all normal class requirements, ITCS 5232 students will have the following additional

work.

1. Graduate students will present a research paper of relevant recent work in Computer Game

Design or Development. Students will identify a paper from a scholarly source, prepare a

slide-based presentation, and present an informative and critical review of the paper in class.

2. Graduate students form their own project teams that do not include undergraduates. These

graduate teams must develop their own coding standards and document design templates as

additional requirements.

Attachment 7. Proposal for ITCS 5235/4235 Game Engine Construction

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course No. CSCI-11-14-2006g

Course and Curriculum Proposal from: Department of Computer Science

TITLE: Establishment of Undergraduate and Graduate Course in Game Engine

Construction

A. Proposal Summary and Catalog Copy:

ITCS 4235. Game Engine Construction. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 4120 or Permission of

Department. Introduction to principles and techniques behind modern computer and console

game engines. Graphics Rendering Pipeline (transformations, lighting, shading); 2D/3D

Texture Mapping; Image Based Rendering; Spatial Structures and Acceleration Algorithms;

Level of Detail; Collision Detection, Culling and Intersection Methods; Vertex/Pixel Shaders;

Pipeline Optimization; Rendering Hardware.( Spring, Alternate Years) (Evenings)

ITCS 5235. Game Engine Construction. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 5120 or Permission of

Department. Introduction to principles and techniques behind modern computer and console

game engines. Graphics Rendering Pipeline (transformations, lighting ,shading); 2D/3D

Texture Mapping; Image Based Rendering; Spatial Data Structures and Acceleration

Algorithms; Level of Detail; Collision Detection, Culling and Intersection Methods;

Vertex/Pixel Shaders; Pipeline Optimization; Rendering Hardware. (Spring, Alternate Years)

(Evenings)

B. Justiﬁcation

1. Need: The proposed courses address several needs of the Computer Science Department,

the College of Computing and Informatics, UNC Charlotte, and the state of North Carolina,

as follows:

a. The proposed courses will be attractive to both undergraduate and MS students, by

introducing complex and advanced concepts in real-time computer graphics in the

context of game applications, given their connections to the entertainment industry

(computer generated movies, game industry).

b. The proposed courses will become part of the new certiﬁcate programs being

established in Game Design and Development.

c. The proposed courses is aimed at combating decreasing enrollments in Computer

Science and related disciplines, while at the same time fulﬁlling expected IT workforce

shortages.

2. Course Numbering: This course is targeted primarily at senior level undergraduates and

MS students. The numbering has been designed so as to ensure students have adequate

software skills prior to enrolling in these courses. Thus a 4XXX/5XXX numbering is

proposed.

3. Prerequisites/Corequisites: This course is targeted as a senior level course and requires

some knowledge of Computer Graphics, for instance, ITCS 4120/ITCS 5120, or an

equivalent course. Students are expected to be competent programmers.

4. Effect on Scope, Quality, and Efficiency: These courses are designed to be part of the

departmental effort to build new programs in game design and development. They have the

potential to motivate undergraduate and graduate students through their applications, while

at the same time improve their computer science skills, especially in software and design.

C. Impact

1 Students Served: Undergraduate and graduate majors in computer science will have an

additional elective course for the major. This course will also serve the graduate and

undergraduate certiﬁcate programs in game design.

2. Effect on Existing Courses and Curricula:

a. ITCS 4235 and ITCS 5235 will be offered initially in alternate years; depending on

demand, the frequency of offering will be adjusted.

b. The content of other courses will not be affected. The new rotation schedule of CS

graduate courses is attached with the Computer Science MS Program Revision

Proposal.

c. ITCS 4235 and ITCS 5235 were offered as a Topics course (ITCS 4010/5010) in the

Spring of 2006. There were a total of 10 students in the course (7 undergraduate, 3

graduate). This is not unusual for an initial offering of an advanced undergraduate or

graduate course.

d. Affected Areas of Catalog Copy: In course descriptions, and requirements, where

proposed courses should be listed as electives.

D. Resources Required to Support Proposal

1. Personnel:

a) Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty: None

b) List by name qualiﬁed faculty members interested in teaching the course(s): Drs.

Kalpathi Subramanian, Michael Youngblood, Zachary Wartell, Aidong Liu

2. Physical Facility : None

3. Equipment and Supplies: None

4. Computer : The current computer labs in CCI will be used to support the proposed

courses.

5. Audio-Visual: None

6. Other Resources : None

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal: None

E. Consultation with the Library and Other Departments or Units

1. Library Consultation attached

2. Consultation with other departments or units: SIS Department

F. Initiation and Consideration of Proposal

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

G. Attachments

1. Library Consultation

2. ITCS 4235 : Course Outline and Suggested Textbooks

3. ITCS 5235 : Course Syllabus

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4235/5235: Game Engine Construction

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

15. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

16. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of

Game Engine Construction and related subjects retrieved 1251 pertinent items.

Of this total, 416 have been acquired since 2000, so this is a current and relevant

collection. Because there is some overlap of subject headings, the actual total

number of titles will be somewhat less than this, but the collection, especially if

bolstered by ongoing purchases, is quite adequate to support this program. The

Library owns or has electronic access to 14 journals and 292 other electronic

resources that support this program. In addition, the library has approximately

20 electronic databases, many with links to full text articles, supporting the

overall Computing and Informatics programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Game Engine Construction

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

3D display* 25 10 0 4

Computer game* 252 130 0 74

Computer graphic* 650 133 14 152

DirectX 21 19 0 19

Graphical user interface* 33 9 0 4

Graphics rendering 20 10 0 2

Image rendering 7 4 0 1

Real-time data processing 117 23 0 23

Real-time programming 116 73 0 11

Rendering hardware 3 3 0 0

Vertex processing 7 2 0 2

Totals 1251 416 14 292

ITCS 4235: Game Engine Construction

Topics

1 Graphics Rendering Pipeline

2 Texture Mapping

3 Image Based Rendering

4 Spatial Structures and Acceleration Algoithms

5 Level of Detail

6 Collision Detection

7 Culling algorithms

8 Intersection Techniques

9 Vertex/Pixel Shaders

10 Graphics Hardware Architectures

Suggested Textbooks

1 Tomas Akenine-Moller, Eric Haines, Real-Time Rendering (2nd Edition), 2002, A.K.

Peters.

2 David Eberly, 3D Game Engine Design, 2001, Morgan Kaufman

3 David Eberly, 3D Game Engine Architecture, 2005, Morgan Kaufman

ITCS 5235: Game Engine Construction: Syllabus

Course Number and Title: ITCS 5235: Game Engine Construction

Catalog Description:

ITCS 5235. Game Engine Construction.(3) Prerequisite: ITCS 5120 or Permission of

Department. Introduction to principles and techniques behind modern computer and console

game engines. Graphics Rendering Pipeline (transformations, lighting,shading); 2D/3D Texture

Mapping; Image Based Rendering; Spatial Data Structures and Acceleration Algorithms; Level

of Detail; Collision Detection, Culling and Intersection Methods; Vertex/Pixel Shaders;

Pipeline Optimization; Rendering Hardware. (Fall,Spring, Alternate Years).

Pre or Co-Requisites:

ITCS 5120 or equivalent, or by permission of department.

Course Objectives:

1 The course will introduce advanced concepts in real-time computer graphics in the design

and implementation of modern game engines.

2 The sequence of initial projects will test the basic components of game engines,

culminating in a ﬁnal capstone project that will bring all of these together.

3 Emphasis on both software and hardware components will familiarize students to the

capabilities of modern graphics accelerators.

4 Impart advanced software skills in large team oriented projects.

5 Understand the complexities of programming modern graphics accelerators.

Instructional Method

By regular lectures, lab oriented sessions, student research presentations, project demonstrations.

Means of Student Evaluation

4 multiple-choice quizzes, Midterm Exam, 3 software projects, Final Term Project. When the

graduate version of this course is offered in conjunction with ITCS 4235, graduate students will

be additionally required to perform a research review of a relevant topic (consisting of at least 5

research articles), write a survey paper and give an in-class oral presentation. Each of the course

projects will have additional criteria to be satisﬁed for graduate students.

The basic graduate grading scale is

90 – 100 A

80-89.9 B

70 – 79.9 C

Below 70 U

Policies

1 Students governed by UNCC Academic Integrity Policy.

2 Attendance required of all meeting sessions.

3 Grading Policy: Weighted average is computed and suitable breakpoints determined by

instructor to determine ﬁnal letter grade.

Topical Outline of Course Content

1. Graphics Rendering Pipeline

 a. Pipeline Stages (Application, Geometry, Rasterizer)

 b. Geometric Transformations and Coordinate Systems

 c. Projections and Clipping

 d. Lighting and Rendering

2. Texture Mapping

 a. Generalized Texturing

 b. Texture Pipeline

 c. Image Texturing

 d. Texture Caching/Compression

 e. Multipass Texturing

 f. Texturing Methods

3. Acceleration Algorithms

 a. Spatial Data Structures

 b. Culling Techniques (backface, view frustum, portal)

 c. Occlusion Culling

 d. Level of Detail

 e. Point-based Rendering

4. Level of Detail

 a. LOD Switching

 b. LOD Selection

 c. Time-Critical LOD Rendering

5. Polygonal Methods

 a. Sources, Representation

 b. Tesselation, Triangulation

 c. Triangle Strips, Fans, Meshes

 d. Simpliﬁcation

6. Intersection Testing

 a. Hardware Methods

 b. Bounding Volume Creation

 c. Intersection Methods: Rays with Sphere/Box/Triangle/Polygon.

 d. Intersection Methods: Triangles with Box/Triangle.

 e. Intersection Methods: Line/Line, BV/BV, View Frustum

 f. Dynamic Intersection Testing

7. Collision Detection

 a. Collision Detection With Rays

 b. Using BSP Trees

 c. Hierarchical Collision Detection

 d. OBB Tree, k-DOP Tree

8. Graphics Hardware

 a. Vertex/Fragment Shaders

 b. Hardware Buffers and Buffering

 c. Perspective Correct Interpolation

 d. Example Graphics Architectures

Suggested Textbooks

1 Tomas Akenine-Moller, Eric Haines, Real-Time Rendering (2nd Edition), 2002, A.K.

Peters.

2 David Eberly, 3D Game Engine Design, 2001, Morgan Kaufman

3 David Eberly, 3D Game Engine Architecture, 2005, Morgan Kaufman

Attachment 8. Proposal for ITCS 5236/4236 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

New Undergraduate and Graduate Course Proposal No. CSCI-11-14-2006h

From: Department of Computer Science

ITLE: ESTABLISHMENT OF UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE ELECTIVE COURSES IN GAME

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

A. PROPOSAL SUMMARY AND CATALOG COPY:

1. SUMMARY:

The Computer Science Department proposes to add two new courses in the area of Game

Design and Development: one new elective course to the undergraduate and one new

course to the graduate curriculum.

2. PROPOSED CATALOG COPY:

ITCS 4236. Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 3153.

Application of advanced concepts and techniques in artificial intelligence for electronic game

design and development. An investigation of the artificial intelligence techniques necessary

for an agent to act, or appear to act, intelligently in interactive virtual worlds. Topics include

uncertainty reasoning, machine learning, perception, knowledge representation, search, and

planning. Emphasis will be on implementation and experimentation with the goal of building

robust intelligent agents in interactive entertainment domains. Elements of multi-agent

collaboration and the use of cognitive architectures in interactive computer games will also be

discussed. (On demand)

ITCS 5236. Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games. (3) Prerequisite: ITCS 6150 or

permission of instructor. Application of advanced concepts and techniques in artificial

intelligence for electronic game design and development. An investigation of the artificial

intelligence techniques necessary for an agent to act, or appear to act, intelligently in

interactive virtual worlds. Topics include uncertainty reasoning, machine learning, perception,

knowledge representation, search, and planning. Emphasis will be on implementation and

experimentation with the goal of building robust intelligent agents in interactive entertainment

domains. Elements of multi-agent collaboration and the use of cognitive architectures in

interactive computer games will also be discussed. (On demand)

B. JUSTIFICATION

1. Need:

The proposed courses address several needs for the Computer Science Department, the

College of Computing and Informatics, UNC Charlotte, and the state of North Carolina.

First, enrollments into computer science and related fields are dropping across the nation

even though, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for jobs in IT-related fields

will be higher than demand in most other sectors of the economy. If these projections are

correct and current enrollment trends continue, we may face a shortage of IT workers in the

US. Game courses are very attractive to students, and gaming has surpassed film and movies

in the economy. There are few game-related curricular programs at universities in the

country. Providing this service will make UNC Charlotte and the College of Computing and

Informatics unique.

A key component for a rounded technical education is the ability to apply classroom theory

and knowledge in practice. This polishing creates better game developers for industry and

scientists in this field, solidifies the knowledge learned by the student, and aids in developing

a portfolio of work which is essential for gaining employment in the games industry.

North Carolina is particularly well situated to become a leader in attracting and producing

game designers and developers. Two of the three main game engine companies are in North

Carolina, Epic Software and Numeric Design Limited. The North Carolina Serious Games

Initiative, a pioneering organization, supports the development of game technologies in

business, education, training, and medical applications. Several companies, including

3DSolve and Virtual Heroes, that develop serious games technologies, reside in North

Carolina. Other game companies, such as Red Storm Entertainment, are also located here in

NC. These companies have already sent representatives to the Game Design course to give

talks, have expressed interest in hiring student interns in the future, and are excited to see

universities in NC offering courses that will prepare students to work in the game industry.

Given the size and state of the gaming and interactive media industries, supporting focused

curricula is needed at universities, and can be particularly valuable for such companies here

in NC. More importantly, games are becoming recognized as one avenue for increasing

enrollments in computer science, as evidenced by Microsoft Research’s Game Curriculum

Request for Proposals in 2004-2005. Computer Science and the College of Computing and

Informatics can benefit from providing this service by recruiting more students and

rejuvenating interest in computing related fields.

2. Prerequisites/corequisites:

ITCS 4236 requires ITCS 3153 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence.

ITCS 5236 requires ITCS 6150 Intelligent Systems or the consent of the instructor to

determine if sufficient background knowledge in basic artificial intelligence techniques

exists.

3. Course numbering:

ITCS 4236 is intended as a senior-level course, so that students have had exposure to a broad

range of computer science courses and experience in more complex group assignments

and/or projects.

ITCS 5236 is intended to be an intermediate level graduate course.

4. Effect on scope, quality, and efficiency:

These proposed courses will broaden the scope of the computer science curriculum to include

the application of a host of computing skills for entertainment computing. The use of

entertainment elements will motivate students to excel in computer science, and thus improve

the quality of our graduates and hence the quality of our program.

IMPACT

1. Students served:

Undergraduate and graduate majors in computer science will have an additional pair of

courses as electives for the major, which integrate their computing skills.

2. Effect on existing courses and curricula:

a. ITCS 4236/5236 will be offered every other spring semester on demand.

b. The content of other courses will not be affected. The new rotation schedule of CS

graduate courses is attached with the Computer Science MS Program Revision Proposal.

c. The anticipated enrollment is ITCS 4236: 10 students/ spring semester, ITCS5236: 15

students/ spring semester

d. These new courses are part of the CS MS program revision.

e. ITCS 4236/5236 was offered in Fall 2006 as a special topics course (ITCS 4010/5010)

with an enrollment of 6 graduate and 5 undergraduate students.

f. Affected areas of catalog copy: In curriculum outlines, and requirements for the

degree, the proposed courses should be listed as elective options.

L. RESOURCES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT PROPOSAL.

1. Personnel

a. Specify requirements for new faculty, part-time teaching, student assistant and/or

increased load on present faculty.

No requirements for new faculty or increased load on present faculty.

b. List by name qualified faculty members interested in teaching the course(s).

Drs. Michael Youngblood and Tiffany Barnes are qualified to teach these courses.

2. Physical Facility

No new physical facilities are needed, beyond a regular classroom to teach the class.

3. Equipment and Supplies

No new equipment and supplies are needed to teach the courses.

4. Computer

Specify requirements for computer usage by students and/or faculty, and include an

assessment of the adequacy of computing resources by Computing Services.

Students will use their own computers or those in the Woodward 335 for course

assignments and projects. Faculty will use their own existing computers for course

preparation. Computing resources are adequate for both courses.

5. Audio-Visual

Specify requirements for audio and/or visual equipment and media production

services from Media Services.

No A/V services are necessary for the courses, beyond existing presentation

equipment in classrooms.

6. Other Resources

Specify and estimate cost of other new/added resources required, e.g., travel,

communication, printing and binding.

No additional resources are required.

7. Indicate source(s) of funding for new/additional resources required to support this

proposal.

None needed.

M. CONSULTATION WITH THE LIBRARY AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OR UNITS

1. Library Consultation

Attached

2. Consultation with other departments or units

SIS Department

N. INITIATION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSAL

1. Originating Unit

This proposal was approved by Computer Science Faculty on November 14, 2006.

2. Other Considering Units

This proposal was approved by the Faculty of the College of Computing and Informatics on

December 12, 2006.

O. ATTACHMENTS

1. LIBRARY CONSULTATION LETTER

2. ITCS 4236 course outline including basic topics to be covered and suggested textbooks

and reference materials with dates of publication

3. Syllabi for graduate courses ITCS 5236

J. Murrey Atkins Library

Consultation on Library Holdings

To: Dr. Ken Chen

College of Computing and Informatics

From: Joanne S. Klein

Reference Librarian, Engineering and Information Technology

Date: November 2, 2006

Subject: ITCS 4236/5236: Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games

Summary of Librarian’s Evaluation of Holdings:

Evaluator: Joanne S. Klein Date: 11/02/06

Check One: 1. Holdings are superior

2. Holdings are adequate (Please see comments) YES

17. Holdings are adequate only if Dept. purchases additional items.

18. Holdings are inadequate

Comments:

A search of the Atkins Library online catalog reveals the following holdings in

support of this program. See the table that follows. A search in the areas of

Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games and related subjects retrieved 3637

pertinent items. Of this total, 1020 have been acquired since 2000, so this is a

current and relevant collection. Because there is some overlap of subject

headings, the actual total number of titles will be somewhat less than this, but the

collection, especially if bolstered by ongoing purchases, is quite adequate to

support this program. The Library owns or has electronic access to 45 journals

and 619 other electronic resources that support this program. In addition, the

library has approximately 20 electronic databases, many with links to full text

articles, supporting the overall Computing and Informatics programs.

Joanne S. Klein___________________________

Evaluator’s Signature

November 02, 2006

______________________________

Date

Atkins Library Holdings in Areas Related to

Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games

11/02/06

Subject Heading All

Books

After

2000

Journals Electronic

Resources

Artificial intelligence 1121 93 20 155

C (Computer programming

language)

124 42 0 44

Cognitive architecture 36 18 0 7

Cognitive model* 385 185 5 31

Computer game* 252 130 0 74

DirectX 21 19 0 19

Evolutionary programming 39 17 1 10

Fuzzy logic 71 18 0 14

Game theory 342 88 3 24

Intelligent agent* 92 50 1 23

Interactive game* 119 35 0 1

Knowledge representation 176 73 0 16

Machine learning 182 52 2 26

Neural network* 465 111 11 135

Virtual reality 201 81 2 36

“Visual Studio” 11 8 0 4

Totals 3637 1020 45 619

ITCS 4236 Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games - Outline