PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
MASTER SYLLABUS

ADVANCED COMPUTER GRAPHICS
WEB 2811

Class Hours: 3.0

 

Credit Hours: 3.0

 

Laboratory Hours: 0.0

 

Revised: Fall 2006

 

 NOTE:  This course is not designed for transfer credit.

 

Catalog Course Description:

 

 

 

This course is designed to enhance the computer skills of those using graphics programs to prepare images for the Web or for print.  Students will learn to enhance and create digital images using Photoshop; optimize images for speed of download; place and manipulate type in an image; work with layers and masks; use filters for special effects; work with background images and transparent gifs; create image maps; use ImageReady to create animations, slices, web photo gallery, and rollovers.

Entry Level Standards:

 

 

 

Students taking this course should have access to a copy of Photoshop CS and ImageReadyCS, have a working knowledge of the Internet and how to create web pages using HTML and/or an HTML editor, be able to create and manipulate digital graphics using a graphics program, be familiar with graphics file types, and be able to submit files to the instructor using email attachments or ftp.

Prerequisites:

 

 

 

WEB 2200; or OST 2801 and 2802 and 2803; or CSIT 2645 or equivalent 

Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:

 

 

Required Textbook:
Visual Quickstart Gude, Photoshop CS; Weinmann and Lourekas, Peachpit Press, 2004,  ISBN 0-321-21353-X.  

Optional Textbook:  recommended for students that have not had WEB 2100.
Introduction to Digital Photography; Ciagila, Prentice Hall, 2004,  ISBN 0130321362.  

Supplementary Materials:
Companion CD to be supplied by instructor.

Hardware Requirements:

IBM-type criteria: 
Pentium Computer 300 MHz minimum (Pentium III/750 MHz preferred) processing speed 
64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM preferred) 
Monitor capable of at least 800 x 600 resolution 
CD-ROM drive 
100 MB ZIP drive 
56 kbps modem with Internet access (high speed such as cable modem or DSL recommended if possible) 
Speakers and 16 bit sound card 
Operating System: Windows 98 or higher 


Macintosh criteria:

PowerPC minimum (G3/300 MHz preferred) 
64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM preferred) 
Monitor capable of at least 800 x 600 resolution 
CD-ROM drive 
100 MB ZIP drive 
56 kbps modem with Internet access (high speed such as cable modem or DSL recommended if possible) 
Speakers 
Operating System: Macintosh 8.5.1 or higher (Mac OS 8.6 or higher preferred) 

Software Requirements:
Adobe Photoshop CS2 with ImageReady (version 7 or CS may be acceptable with some limitations)
WinZIP or equivalent software for compressing files
Internet Explorer at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/
Adobe Acrobat Reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:

 

 

 

Week 

Topic

 

1 

Calibrating your system and correcting images:  advanced color management, adjusting brightness and contrast, tools for brightness and contrast, using levels to adjust midtones, curve maps, understanding duotones, color models, understanding the color wheel, mixing colors, color correction tools. 

 

2

Using Photoshop as a design tool exercise.

 

3

Optimizing images for the web and review basic image adjustments.

 

4

Specialty document types for web usage.

 

5

Creating illustrations for the web.

 

6

Basic Buttons/Basic Navigation.

 

7

Advanced Navigation/Nav Bar

 

8

Image Maps

 

9

Animations. Creating a Banner Ad.

 

10

Designing a site from scratch.

 

11

Rough of final project due

 

12-15

Final Project Due; Final Project Critique.

 

 

The RODP version of this course will be taught in 12 weeks. The PSTCC version of this course will be taught over 15 weeks.

II. Course Objectives*:

 

 

 

A.

Enhance and create digital images using Photoshop.

 

B.

Optimize images for speed of download.

 

C.

Place and manipulate type in an image.

 

D.

Work with layers and masks.

 

E.

Use filters for special effects.

 

F.

Work with background images and transparent gifs.

 

G.

Create image maps.

 

H.

Use ImageReady to create animations, slices, web photo gallery, and rollovers.

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the WEB program.

III. Instructional Processes*: 

 

 

Students will:

 

 

 

 

1.

Use technology to promote the objectives of this course; specifically, using dynamic graphical elements to enhance Web pages. Technological Literacy Outcome

 

2.

Examine and analyze graphic design in Web sites. Technological Literacy Outcomes, Active Learning Strategies

 

3.

Define and recognize well-designed Web pages with Web appropriate graphics created by the students using PhotoShop and GIF Animator software. Technological Literacy Outcomes

 

4.

Critique work of classmates based on principles learned in class. Communication Outcomes, Active Learning Strategies

 

6.

Develop a vocabulary that allows students to communicate effectively about Web graphics and the effective use of images in Web page design. Communication Outcomes

 

7.

Complete at least one project that involves accessing Internet resources and designing images for Web pages that provide information an entrepreneur or business in community. Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy

*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.

IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.

Work effectively with Photoshop's interface, including palettes, tools, and menus. 

 

2.

Learn to navigate Photoshop via keyboard shortcuts. 

 

3.

Set up Photoshop preferences.

 

4.

Work with Photoshop memory options. 

 

5.

Learn the new features included in Photoshop 5, including the History palette and text editing. 

 

6.

Learn when and how to use the most common image file formats. 

 

7.

Take photographs with a digital camera and scan images into the computer. 

 

8.

Create images from scratch. 

 

9.

Save, export, and print images.

 

10.

Understand various color models, color palettes, color depths, and calibration.

 

11.

Plan effective images for the Web. 

 

12.

Obtain images for use on the Web through digital photography, scanning, and creation through a paint or imaging editor program. 

 

13.

Learn to use MS Image Composer to create graphics for animation. 

 

14.

Plan, design, and create a GIF animation. 

 

15.

Use student-created images in Web pages that create a Web site on a particular topic or theme. 

*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.

V. Evaluation:

 

 

 

A. Quizzes: 10% of grade

 

B. Assignments: 90% of grade

 

Projects using Photoshop and ImageReady will comprise the major part of the grade for this course.  The projects will be completed in the course of reading and working through the textbook.  The files will be sent  weekly through WebCT email as an attachment when feasible; when the filesize is too large to prohibit sending the file through email, the file will be saved to a ZIP disk and mailed to the instructor. 

 

E. Grading Scale:

 

The following grading scale will be used in this course: 
90-100%      A 
80-89  %      B 
70-79  %      C 
60-69  %      D 
0-59    %      F

VI. Policies:

 

 

 

A. Attendance Policy:

 

 

Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses (excluding videotape and Web courses) must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. (Pellissippi State Catalog)  Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent.

MDT 2100 Class Attendance Policy:
Students must attend 85% percent of the scheduled class meetings to get credit for the course.

 

 

B. Academic Dishonesty:

 

 

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course. (Pellissippi State Catalog) 

 

 

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

 

 

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.