Program Overview

Introduction to Computer Graphics and Games

The Introduction to Computer Graphics and Games course, denoted as CGRA 151, is designed to introduce students to the necessary background, fundamental concepts, and basic algorithms of Computer Graphics. This includes human visual perception, representation of color and images, representation of 2D and 3D spaces, manipulation, movement, and drawing of 2D and 3D objects. Students will use a modern programming language to investigate many of the ideas presented in the lectured material.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • Domestic students: NZ$1,083.45
  • International students: NZ$5,058.00
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Monday 10:00am
  • Tuesday 10:00am
  • Friday 10:00am
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: COMP 102 or 112 or DSDN 142
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Course Outline

The course has four main components:

1. Programming: Teaching students how to use a Java-based graphics language, Processing, to consolidate what they learned in COMP 102, COMP 112, or DSDN 142, and to teach algorithm design, especially ways to optimize an algorithm.
2. Behind the Scenes: Detailed consideration of fundamental computer graphics and game programming algorithms to understand what a graphics card does when it draws.
3. Underlying Mathematics: Algebraic representations of lines and curves, vectors, matrices, representation of transforms using matrices, algebra for line-line intersection, and closest-point-to-a-line calculation.
4. Fundamental Concepts: Human vision, color representation, and display design to understand the limitations of what is done and why those limitations exist.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course will be able to:

• Write simple programs for graphics and games in the Processing programming language.
• Understand, explain, and reproduce a range of fundamental computer graphics and game algorithms.
• Understand and use vector and matrix representations in homogeneous coordinate systems to perform geometric transformations in two and three dimensions.
• Understand and describe 3D viewing and perspective projection.
• Understand and explain human interaction with computer systems via performance modeling.
• Explain fundamental properties of light, color, the human visual system, and basic mechanics, particularly as they relate to the creation of programs for graphics and games.

How This Course is Taught

This course will be offered in-person and online, with a combination of in-person components and web/internet-based resources for students in Wellington. It will also be possible to take the course entirely online for those who cannot attend on campus.

Assessment

• Programming Assignment 1: 5%
• Programming Assignment 2: 8%
• Mathematics Worksheet: 4%
• Test 1: 25%
• Plan for Final Programming Project: 3%
• Programming Assignment 3: 10%
• Final Programming Project: 20%
• Test 2: 25%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

• Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%.
• Achieve at least 40% across the tests.
• Achieve at least 40% across the assignments (including programming assignments, mathematics worksheet, project proposal, and final project).

Lecture Times and Rooms

Lectures will be held from 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026, with specific times and rooms to be announced.

What You'll Need to Get

Students are able to use the ECS computers for all exercises but may find it more convenient to use their own computers, in which case they will need to install the Processing programming environment.