Montserrat 104S--Perception and Virtual Reality

MONT 104S
Perception and Virtual Reality
College of the Holy Cross, Fall 2008

Instructor
Constance Royden
Office: Swords 333
Extension: 2472
Email: croyden@mathcs.holycross.edu
Office Hours: Tues 1 - 2:30 p.m., Thurs 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Or by appointment.

Class Meeting times
Wed, Fri 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Course description
Computer technology has developed at a tremendous pace over the last few decades, and as we spend larger amounts of time on the computer playing games, gathering information and interacting with others over the internet, much of our time is spent dealing with "virtual" environments. In this course we will first discuss the mechanisms of human visual perception, which one must understand to design and develop virtual reality systems. We will see that our visual system is very efficient, but subject to being fooled, in the form of visual illusions. We will spend the second half of the course discussing virtual reality systems, broadly defined. Thus, our virtual reality will include role playing games, interactive websites and stories, etc. We will see how our knowledge of human vision can help us develop computer graphics systems used in virtual environments. Finally, we will discuss how virtual interactions are shaping our relationships to the world and to other people.

Prerequisites
None.

Textbook and Readings
There are three required books for this semester of the course:

1. Eye and Brain. The psychology of seeing. Fifth Edition. by Richard Gregory.

2. Introduction to Virtual Reality. by John Vince

3. The story of my life. by Helen Keller (Self cluster common reading)

The readings in these books will be supplemented with readings that will be handed out. You will be expected to read the assigned material before class and be prepared to discuss the concepts from the readings.

Course requirements
Exams: There will be two midterm exams during the semester.

There will be no final exam in this course.

Homework and Writing Assignments: There will be homework assignments periodically during the semester. These will consist of written problems, answers to questions related to the readings or lectures, or write-ups of in-class labs or demonstrations. In addition there will be periodic writing assignments.

Course Project: Students are required to complete a course project (this is in place of a final exam). The project will involve researching an area of visual perception and/or virtual reality and writing a paper on your findings. Projects will be presented to the class at the end of the semester.

Grading

Late Policy
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date. Late assignments will be marked down 10% for each day late. That is, assignments turned in after the time they are due will be marked down 10%, assignments turned between 24 and 48 hours after the due date will be marked down 20%, and so on. The penalty will be determined when the assignment is physically transferred to the instructor or signed in by any Math/CS faculty member or the department secretary. Late work will not be accepted after the graded assignment is returned to the class.

Collaboration Policy
You are allowed to discuss strategies for solving homework problems with other students, however any work you turn in must be your own work (i.e. you may not simply copy another student's answers and turn them in as your own). In addition you must clearly indicate the names of any students you work with on each assignment.

You may consult public literature (books, articles, etc) for information, but you must cite each source of ideas you adopt.

Please familiarize yourself with the department's policy on Academic Integrity.

Constance Royden--croyden@mathcs.holycross.edu
MONT 104S--Percetpion and Virtual Reality
Date Created: August 1, 2008
Last Modified: August 1, 2008
Page Expires: August 1, 2009