GAM 377: Game Engine Programming II

Instructor Information

Name: André Berthiaume

 

Preferred Contact:        

Berthiaume@cs.depaul.edu

 

Use the following only for chat/text when you need a quick help

 

Discord             Andre#5368

 

Course Description   

This class is a continuation of GAM 374. Students develop more complex systems for their 3D game engines: improved collision systems, terrain generation, and particle systems. Other advanced engine services are discussed and students are expected to research and implement one such system: sounds management, lighting system, tiered/broad phase collision system, advanced camera manipulation, etc. PREREQUISITE(S): GAM 374

 

Textbook

None required. However we assume that student will reference books and notes from prior classes (Particularly GAM 372, GAM 374, and GAM 325) and many other books will be recommended as reference based on specific topics covered.

 

Course Objectives

  1. Student will be expand on the basic game engine started in GAM 374:
  2. Students will also be expected to research, plan and implement either a new system or a significant improvement to an existing system.
  3. Student will showcase their engine by planning and implementing a fully functional game with it.
  4. Student will build on the practices from previous classes to create a robust, flexible and effective code base for their game engine:
  5. Students will also produce the relevant documentation for the benefit of users of their game engine

Agenda

This class will be conducted as a mixture of standard lectures, class discussions and code reviews. The emphasis will be on discussions on the status of individual projects. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the progress of their project and how best to tackle the various problems they encounter with the planning and programming elements. Lectures will be given on relevant topics as they are needed.

Flex Section

If you are enrolled in a flex section for this class, you may attend each class meeting in person, synchronously via Zoom, or asynchronously, and may change your mode of attendance at any time throughout the quarter. For proctored exam, you will have the same options as you would in an online asynchronous section – i.e., you may take the exam in class (if space permits) or arrange for a proctored exam within the instructor's specified exam period. In both cases, it is your responsibility to register for the exam in advance through the course D2L site or MyCDM when the instructor informs you that exam registration is available.

Grading

The class work will consist regular progress report and final delivery of your 3D game engine and other material. The final grade will be computed as follow:

Please note that all submissions are expected to compile and exectue properly. Any submisison that fails to compile or won't execute or crashes repeatedly and/or consistently will be graded as a 0. If this occurs on the final submission, you will receive an F for the class.

Also note that all student works are subject to be showcased, reviewed and/or critiqued in class at any time. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a collegial and professional manner at all times. 

The final score will be converted to letters based on the following schedule: Note: this scale may be adjusted based on overall class performance.

Percentage Grade Letter Grade
>= 93 A
>= 90 A-
>= 87 B+
>= 83 B
>= 80 B-
>= 77 C+
>= 73 C
>= 70 C-
>= 67 D+
>= 63 D
>= 60 D-
< 60 F

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Respect for Diversity and Inclusion at DePaul University as aligned with our Vincentian Values

At DePaul, our mission calls us to explore “what must be done” in order to respect the inherent dignity and identity of each human person. We value diversity because it is part of our history, our traditions and our future. We see diversity as an asset and a strength that adds to the richness of classroom learning. In my course, I strive to include diverse authors, perspectives and teaching pedagogies. I also encourage open dialogue and spaces for students to express their unique identities and perspectives. I am open to having difficult conversations and I will strive to create an inclusive classroom that values all perspectives. If at any time, the classroom experience does not live up to this expectation, please feel free to contact me via email or during office hours.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Please see https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching/Pages/online-teaching-evaluations.aspx for additional information.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

More information can be found at https://resources.depaul.edu/teaching-commons/teaching/academic-integrity/Pages/default.aspx.

Posting work on online sites, such as CourseHero

All students are expected to abide by the University’s Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade is a special, temporary grade that may be assigned by an instructor when unforeseeable circumstances prevent a student from completing course requirements by the end of the term and when otherwise the student had a record of satisfactory progress in the course. All incomplete requests must be approved by the instructor of the course and a CDM Associate Dean. Only exceptional cases will receive such approval. Information about the Incomplete Grades policy can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/Grading-Policies.aspx

Preferred Name & Gender Pronouns

Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the quarter so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. Please also note that students may choose to identify within the University community with a preferred first name that differs from their legal name and may also update their gender. The preferred first name will appear in University related systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is necessitated or required by University business or legal need. For more information and instructions on how to do so, please see the Student Preferred Name and Gender Policy at http://policies.depaul.edu/policy/policy.aspx?pid=332

Students with Disabilities

Students seeking disability-related accommodations are required to register with DePaul’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) enabling them to access accommodations and support services to assist with their success. There are two office locations:

Students who register with the Center for Students with Disabilities are also invited to contact Dr. Gregory Moorhead, Director of the Center, privately to discuss how he may assist in facilitating the accommodations to be used in a course. This is best done early in the term. The conversation will remain confidential to the extent possible.
Please see https://offices.depaul.edu/student-affairs/about/departments/Pages/csd.aspx for Services and Contact Information.

Additional Policies