Students

COMP3170 – Computer Graphics

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Cameron Edmond
cameron.edmond@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Malcolm Ryan
malcolm.ryan@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Damian Jurd
damian.jurd@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including (MATH1010 or MATH1007 or COMP1170) and COMP2000
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is the study of pictures, images and animations generated by computers, as well as tools used to produce these pictures. This unit introduces the mathematical foundations of computer graphics, examines how to model three-dimensional objects, introduces techniques for creating animations, and explores how realistic scenes are rendered. Practical work involves using a graphics library, such as OpenGL, under Unix or Windows platforms.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Understand the fundamentals of vector geometry and employ them in devising algorithms to achieve a variety of visual effects. 
  • ULO2: Implement a standard render pipeline to transform a 3D scene into a 2D image.
  • ULO3: Apply matrices to implement and combine 3D transformations including rotation, translation, scale and perspective. 
  • ULO4: Program vertex and fragment shaders to implement effects such as lighting, texturing, shadows and reflections. 
  • ULO5: Communicate how advanced graphical algorithms operate through appropriate equations and geometrical diagrams.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit, you must achieve a total mark of 50% or more.

Attendance in class is recorded. Although no marks are associated with attendance or indeed performance in class, assessments are designed with the assumption that students have completed all learning activities (lecture attendance/viewing, and in-class participation with workshops and coding tasks). Completion of these tasks will require time both in and out of class. Additionally, beyond grades, you will make the most of your time here at Macquarie by attending class. If elements of our classroom activities make it difficult for you to attend or engage in class, we are open to this feedback.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

  • 5% penalty per day: If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days.
    • Example 1 (out of 100): If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.
    • Example 2 (out of 30): If you score 27/30 but submit 1 day late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.
  • After 7 days: Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.
  • Extensions:
    • Short Extension: Some assessments are eligible for a short extension. You can only apply for a short extension before the due date.
    • Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect  their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through https://connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Info

The three assessments for this unit will be submitted via Github Classroom and iLearn itself. Assignments are marked against rubrics and solution sheets/projects by the marking team in coordination with the relevant UC/lecturer. Assessment details will be released on iLearn when appropriate.

Assessment Latest Release Dates

  • 2D Interactive Graphics Program - Sunday 22nd March
  • Graphics Transformations - Sunday 5th April
  • 3D Interactive Visualisation - Sunday 24th May

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
2D Interactive Graphics Program 30% No 07/04/2026 Individual Yes Open
Graphics Transformations 30% No 26/04/2026 Individual Yes Open
3D Interactive Visualisation 40% No 07/06/2026 Individual Yes Open

2D Interactive Graphics Program

Assessment Type 1: Experiential task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 07/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will develop an interactive graphics application in 2D using a low-level graphics library, to demonstrate your understanding of basic geometrical concepts and your ability to implement a dynamic scene using 2D meshes and transformations.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the fundamentals of vector geometry and employ them in devising algorithms to achieve a variety of visual effects. 
  • Implement a standard render pipeline to transform a 3D scene into a 2D image.
  • Apply matrices to implement and combine 3D transformations including rotation, translation, scale and perspective. 
  • Communicate how advanced graphical algorithms operate through appropriate equations and geometrical diagrams.

Graphics Transformations

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 26/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will solve a series of geometry problems involving 2D and 3D transformations to practice the mathematical foundations of graphics programming. You will be assessed on your ability to use these tools to solve problems and communicate geometrical concepts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the fundamentals of vector geometry and employ them in devising algorithms to achieve a variety of visual effects. 
  • Apply matrices to implement and combine 3D transformations including rotation, translation, scale and perspective. 

3D Interactive Visualisation

Assessment Type 1: Experiential task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 07/06/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

You will implement a simple 3D render pipeline in a low-level graphics library, including perspective transformations, lighting and other visual effects. You will be assessed on your ability to design and implement geometrical algorithms as shader programs and clearly communicate your solutions through documentation and code.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the fundamentals of vector geometry and employ them in devising algorithms to achieve a variety of visual effects. 
  • Implement a standard render pipeline to transform a 3D scene into a 2D image.
  • Apply matrices to implement and combine 3D transformations including rotation, translation, scale and perspective. 
  • Program vertex and fragment shaders to implement effects such as lighting, texturing, shadows and reflections. 
  • Communicate how advanced graphical algorithms operate through appropriate equations and geometrical diagrams.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Week 1 classes

Both lectures and SGTAs will be running in Week 1. Lectures are conducted via Zoom (see the link on iLearn), and will be uploaded to Echo360 sometime after the stream. Content-focused lecture videos are readily avaliable in Echo360, and should be watched before attending the live lecture. SGTAs are run on campus and attendance is recorded.

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your University email for individual matters, and via the iLearn forums for broader, unit-relevant topics. To reach us, we encourage that broader questions about content, etc. are posted to the relevant discussion forums so that all staff see it (and are therefore able to answer), and all students benefit from the question - guaranteed that if you have a question, so does at least one other student! However, if the matter is related to your individual learning, you may reach out to the UC and lecturers via email.

Unit Schedule

Unit schedule is subject to change.

Week Topics Covered  Major Assessments
1 Introduction, Pixels & Colors, the OpenGL pipeline, programming the GPU  
2 Vector geometry, points and coordinate frames, transformation matrices  
3 2D transformation, translation, rotation and scale, vertex shaders, animation, instancing  
4 2D Camera, Scene graphs, Bezier curves  
5 3D Transformations, Meshes, Extrusion, Loading Meshes  
6 3D Camera, Orhographic and Perspective projections, Backface culling 2D Interactive Graphics Program due
Break Break  
7 Rasterisation, Anti-aliasing, fragments and the fragment shader, depth Graphics Transformations Exam due
8  Bilinear interpolation, Lighting basics, Ambient lighting  
9 Normals, Diffuse & Specular lighting  
10 Gamma correction, Transparency, non-photorealisitc rendering  
11 Texture mapping, scaling textures, bump mapping  
12 Multipass rendering, Screen-space effects, reflections & shadows  
13 Revision 3D Interactive Visualisation due

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Assessments have been restructured to conform to the 3 Assessment Model. Practical class content has been modified based on student feedback, staff reflection, industry relevance and best pedagogical practices. Quizzes will still be avaliable on iLearn as an optional, non-assessed task for you to personally evaluate your progress in the unit.

We value student feedback, and are always looking to improve our units. We encourage you to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to teaching staff directly, or other appropriate channels.

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook