MSc Computer Graphics Production

What will I cover in this module?

On this module students will investigate a range of industry standard tools and technical methodologies available in the field of 3D graphics production. Also the assessment and the practical implementation of these tools and processes into a workflow for 3D graphics production.

Systems that drive software choice will be researched and how these interconnect to produce a computer based graphical artefact. The focus will be on this interplay between appropriate technologies and work flow choices.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Understand a range of digital imaging and 3D construction methodologies, and relate them to appropriate contexts and be able to judge the effectiveness for particular work flows
2. Evaluate technical constraints of graphical pipelines in realistic contexts and create appropriate solutions which demonstrate efficient and effective methodologies and work flows for graphics production

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

1. Hard surface modelling
2. Low polygon work flow
3. Topology and Edge flow
4. 2D  image processing
5. Sub-divisional surface modelling
6. Shader development
7. Lighting systems
8. Multi-pass Rendering and render management
9. Compositing
   

How will I be assessed?

This module is 100% coursework and is practically focused in nature to fully explore the tools and methods in practice. The purpose is not to assess the design of an artefact but the student's understanding of the implementation of tools and methodologies to construct and process the result against a graphics benchmark.

Assessment Weighting:   100% Coursework

• Coursework 1:  60% weighting:   Learning outcome 1 to be assessed
  Students will be assessed through the design and production of a graphics based artefact, demonstrating relevant advanced 3D production technologies explored through the module
• Coursework 2: 40% weighting:  Learning outcomes 2 to be assessed
  Students will be assessed through a detailed report on the 3D production pipeline created in this module.

How many credits is it worth?
20

What will I cover in this module?

As computer systems develop in complexity the ability to model the physical characteristics of the real world become realised more completely inside the realm of computer. This module is designed to focus on the tools and systems which allow us to recreate realistic representation through motion, interaction and phenomena. Students will use complex rigging and procedural systems to control, develop and automate these interactions based on user controlled and physics driven principles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Critically assess physical principles of realistic phenomena, motion and interaction and apply them to an appropriate graphics based solution.
2. Critically analyse and evaluate a practical demonstration of realistic simulation considering the effective implementation of advanced systems to demonstrate goal.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

The content of the module will be expected to develop to reflect the changes in production in the graphics industry. It will however always respond to a specific aspect of a simulation. Areas of study would include:

• Advanced rigging for animation incorporating forward and inverse kinematics systems design
• Control systems and expressions used to automate physical properties based on user and physics based input
• Exploration of key scientific physics based principles which develop an informed understanding of real world representation and how this can be applied to systems design
• Procedural simulation through physics based systems and custom user developed solutions
• Dynamic attributes including particle and fluid simulation based on realistic physical attributes.
• Integration into the wider graphics pipeline

How will I be assessed?

100% CW

Assessment will be by means of a portfolio of learning artefacts demonstrating the achievement of all learning outcomes. A typical portfolio will consist of 3D simulation that demonstrates the physical principles of realistic phenomena through motion and or interactivity. This would be coupled with academically focussed documentation which demonstrates an enquiry based approach to research and experimentation which led to the production of the artefact with academic reflection on performance.

How many credits is it worth?
20

What will I cover in this module?

This module explores the nature of an industry that is driven by constant technological advancement and how professionals within graphics are able to respond to advancement through practical application linked to academic principles.

Students will be involved in integrating a new technology into an established graphics pipeline. This new disruptive technology will change based on current trends on a yearly basis. This will be achieved through academic research, combined with practical experimentation. Students will be encouraged to design new methods of graphics production which incorporate new technological processes.             

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate and analyse current research into Computer Graphics and formulate critical academic and professional responses to given research exercises.
2. Undertake methodologically sound practical research into a new technology relating to computer graphics, and demonstrate innovative solutions in the area under investigation.

NDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

The content will change to reflect the chosen technology and graphics pipeline (area of study) specified in the brief.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment is 100% coursework with an emphasis on producing an academic styled paper to develop the students understanding of how research and experimentation can be used in a formal process to inform and progress understanding in new areas.

Assessment Weighting:   100% Coursework

• Coursework 1:  60% weighting:   Learning outcome 1 to be assessed
  Students will be assessed through detailed research (written in an academic journal paper style) into a topic within the field of computer graphics production.
  
• Coursework 2: 40% weighting:  Learning outcome 2 to be assessed
  Students will be assessed through a portfolio of work based on the given brief, demonstrating the various advanced systems and methodologies implemented to exploit disruptive technologies in graphics pipelines.
  

How many credits is it worth?
20

What will I cover in this module?

The aim of this module is to investigate a range of concepts and paradigms which combine to create a 'live' example case study relevant to the production of computer graphics in an industrial context.  This 'live' project will incorporate the latest developments in computer graphics and will change on a yearly basis to face the latest issues in the field, in both production and management contexts. This project will be endorsed by industry, helping set a brief which reflects an industrial setting for students to experience and fully appreciate commercial complexity on both customer and organisational fronts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Critically assess concepts/paradigms and analyse their relevance to a specific, technical, creative or business context.
2. Devise, and implement innovative and creative solutions to the area under investigation, present these solutions coherently, using the most appropriate media.
3. Critically analyse and evaluate practical responses to pipeline development considering commercial factors and compliance issues with current research.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

The content of the module responds to a specific aspect of a graphics pipeline which will have a direct relationship with employability in consultation with industry partners.

Typically this module will focus an area of graphics development in Games or Visual effects and the student will be expected to develop practical skills relating to a 'Live' project scenario. This could be a pre-production demonstration or proof of concept for a client which will have to be developed. With this is mind the student would plan and develop content which adheres to industrial based procedures and principles. Typical tasks could include:

• Linear work-flow, shaders and utilities
• Projection methods
• Look development through HDR creation and calibration
• Shader development and workflow
• CG intergration
• Multi pass rendering
• Compositing
• Masking and Colour Correction

This module will prepare students to work within realistic constraints on an advanced leading edge project whilst demonstrating scope for change indicative of an individual with lifelong learning at the forefront of their thought process.

How will I be assessed?

100% CW

Assessment will be by means of a portfolio of learning artefacts demonstrating the achievement of all learning outcomes. Typically this would be expected to be delivered as a practical demonstration which applies the research undertaken combined with an academic portfolio of evidence that critically analyses the processes involved with in the context of a globalised industrial industry. This could be assessed through Viva Voce style examination.

How many credits is it worth?
20

What will I cover in this module?

Graphics based industries rely heavily on complex specialist pipelines involving many processes. In response to this, the ability to develop tools to optimise these pipelines for specialist tasks has become a requirement for professionals in this area.

The aim of the module is to explore the skills and tools required to develop production solutions in this environment that will optimise workflow for the end user. 

Technical graphics based issues will be explored through the module, as well as skills based practice to gain a realistic understanding of how tool development is implemented in the workplace.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical and in-depth awareness of issues related to tools development and the skills needed to develop tools for graphics pipelines.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply the latest tools development practises to realistic scenarios.

INDICATIVE CONTENT / AREAS OF STUDY

1. Historical development methodologies and approaches
2. Maths for tools development
3. Maths for graphics development
4. Coding Standards
5. Scripting methodologies
6. Prototyping
7. Producing and using technical documentation
   

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Weighting:  70% Coursework / 30% Exam

• CW1: 70% Weighting.  Learning outcome to be assessed: 2
  Students will be assessed through the production of a project intended to improve productivity in an area of graphics production.  This will incorporate design and development techniques reflecting the indicative content of the module.
  
• CW2: 30% Weighting  Learning outcome to be assessed: 1
  The students will be assessed through report that will focus on the demonstration of understanding in the areas of issues and skills necessary for tools development, which have been presented through lectures, seminars and research carried out.
  

How many credits is it worth?
20

What will I cover in this module?

This module provides the opportunity for you to consolidate upon and extend your understanding, skills and knowledge of computing as developed through the programme. Through this module you will demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills at masters level. The aim is to ensure that you are able to formulate and tackle real world, commercial problems competently, efficiently, independently, and with relevance to a particular problem and/or application which should draw upon knowledge and experience from the your first degree or equivalent experience.

A dissertation of between 12,000 and 18,000 words will provide the main means of assessment, together with a deliverable quality 'product'. A product may be a piece of software, a detailed design for a system or a feasibility study. Other deliverables, as agreed with the supervisor, will be considered. You must demonstrate their ability to apply what they have learnt on the course in an independent and rigorous fashion.

On successful completion of this module you'll be able to:

1. Critically assess contributions in the literature of a range of academic concepts/paradigms and analyse their relevance to the field of Computing and Informatics in a range of academic and business contexts, leading to the creation and justification of a methodologically sound research programme.
2. Undertake methodologically sound research into a significant computing issue, demonstrating their ability to devise, recommend and/ or implement innovative solutions to the area under investigation, and to be able to present these solutions coherently
3. Adopt a self critical approach and reflect on the processes of planning and undertaking a significant piece of independent research.

You'll cover:

• Choosing a topic and narrowing it down to a concise set of research objectives
• Continual reading for research: about the chosen topic and about research methods
• Thinking about and selecting an appropriate research design/methodology
• Writing a critical literature review
• Collecting both secondary and primary data
• Creating an appropriate artefact
• Analysing data
• Drawing conclusions and assessing their significance in relation to existing work
• Writing up the final dissertation.

How will I be assessed?

100% Coursework

The assessment of the Independent Scholarship module is by a final report in the form of a dissertation and is intended to address all learning outcomes.

How many credits is it worth?
60

What will I cover in this module?

The module aims to develop your ability to study at masters level and to develop, plan, execute a research project.

On successful completion of this module you'll be able to:

1. Research, review and critically evaluate current academic literature within a specific context in order to identify the key issues and gaps within current knowledge
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of research design and methodological enquiry and to propose an appropriate research plan. Reflective evaluation of the impact of ethical values on academic research will be demonstrated
3. Systematically analyse and synthesise researched data and theories.

You'll cover:

• Studying at Masters Level (Literature Review, Critical evaluation concepts and practices, Sources, Search Strategies, Communication of ideas and results)
• Research Project Development (Principles of planning projects and project lifecycles, Identifying tasks and estimating timescales, Risk analysis. Ethical, social and professional issues)
• Analysis and Synthesis of Data and Information (Experiment design, Methodologies for quantitative and qualitative investigations, System modelling concepts and constraints)

How will I be assessed?

100% Coursework

Assessment will be by means of a portfolio of written work demonstrating the achievement of all learning outcomes totalling between 4000 and 5000 words. There will be a strong component of rapid, formative assessment during the delivery of that part of the module relating to learning outcome 1 which will be linked to summative assessment.

How many credits is it worth?
20