Program Overview

Course Overview

The course CGRA 350, Real-time 3D Computer Graphics, is offered by the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Victoria University of Wellington. This course delves into the algorithms and techniques used in real-time 3D computer graphics, covering topics such as graphics programming, graphics APIs (with a focus on OpenGL), and the graphics processing pipeline.

Course Details

• Dates: 7 July 2025 to 9 November 2025
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • Domestic students: NZ$1,022.25
  • International students: NZ$4,771.80
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Wednesday, 12:00 pm
  • Thursday, 12:00 pm
  • Friday, 12:00 pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: CGRA 252 (or 251), NWEN 241
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

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

About This Course

This course focuses on the technical aspects of 3D computer graphics, including the graphics pipeline, shader programming, hierarchical modeling, animation, lighting, illumination, textures, procedural modeling, simulation, and various computer graphics algorithms. It emphasizes hands-on experience through programming assignments and projects, allowing students to grasp the underlying concepts and techniques and apply them in real-world scenarios.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Explain and navigate the structure of the interactive 3D graphics pipeline.
2. Efficiently and effectively use a standard graphics API (e.g., OpenGL) for implementing real-time 3D graphics applications.
3. Implement and modify programs that use important computer graphics algorithms to solve interactive computer graphics problems.

How This Course Is Taught

The course is designed for in-person study, with lectures and potential tutorials, labs, or student presentations. Attendance at lectures on campus is strongly advised for maximizing the learning experience.

Assessment

• Programming Assignment 1: 25%
• Programming Assignment 2: 25%
• Project Proposal: 10% (Group Assessment)
• Project Presentation: 5% (Group Assessment)
• System Implementation: 5% (Group Assessment)
• Project Report: 30% (Group Work)

Mandatory Requirements

To pass the course, students must achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50% and obtain at least 40% on the report component of the final project.

Group Work

The project is conducted in groups of 2 or 3 students, with the project mark split into four components: proposal/plan, presentation, system implementation, and the final report. While part of the project is marked as a group, most of the assessment is based on individual contributions.

Lecture Times and Rooms

Lectures are scheduled from 7 July 2025 to 9 November 2025, with specific times and rooms to be confirmed.

What You'll Need to Get

No specific texts or equipment are required for this course.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.