CS 526 - Computer Graphics II (Spring 2026)

Overview

Welcome to CS 526 Computer Graphics II

This is a graduate-level course that exposes students to state-of-the-art topics in computer graphics and visualization. The focus for this Spring 2026 term will be on human factors in visualization and virtual reality (VR). The course will emphasize perceptual theory, human-centered design, and empirical evaluation. We will study how properties of the human visual perception and cognition shape the effectiveness of visualization techniques and immersive environments. We will also study how to apply experimental techniques from psychology and HCI to conduct user studies to evaluate the effectiveness of graphical encodings, or to broadly measure the user experience.

The course will be research-oriented, with many of the topics driven by papers in the field, which we will present, discuss, and critique in class. Students will also undertake research proejcts to validate specific visualizaitons/VR techniques through user studies, develop models to predict the effectiveness of these techniques, or create new techniques that enable better perception, sensemaking, or engagement. As part of the course, students will learn how to use web-based graphics and visualization libraries (D3 and Three.js) to design prototypes and experimental aparatus for data collection.

Course instructor

Class meetings

We will meet in CDRLC 2407 (850 W. Taylor Street).

Prerequisites

Graduate standing in CS or related fields. Senior undergrads can take the course with permission from instructor. Programming experience (e.g., JavaScript, Python, C++) will be expected from students.

While not strictly necessary, prior experience or course work in one of the following areas will be useful:

• Computer Graphics (e.g., CS 425, 426, 427)
• Visualization/VR (e.g., CS 424, 428, 524)
• Human-Computer Interaction (e.g., CS 422, 522, 535)
• Computer Vision (e.g., CS 415, 515)

Learning objectives

• Explain key perceptual and cognitive principles that underlie effective visual representations of data.
• Apply models of human vision (e.g., contrast sensitivity, color perception, attention, visual saliency) to visualization and VR environment design.
• Design and conduct human-subjects experiments for evaluating visualizations and VR experiences.
• Employ statistical techniques and models to analyze human-subject performance data.

Papers and readings

Each student will be assigned 1 research papers to present to the class (30-minute presentations). In addition to presenting the paper, the student will lead a class discussion about the topic, contributing their own critique or the research, and posiing initial questions to stir the conversation.

Everyone in the class will be expected to read the assigned papers for the week. In addition to reading, students are expected to participate by contributing comments, feedback, follow-up questions, or ideas. Student participation in the class discussion will inform grade for the course.

Projects

There will be two projects. In the first project, you will design a user study to compare several visualization techniques for their efficacy in communicating quantitative information. You will develop an experimental apparatus for generating stimuli and collecting data from participants. You will then analyze your data to draw conclusions about the compared interfaces.

The second (final) project will be a research project that you will design, with input from the instructor and the class. You will first write and present a proposal and receive feedback. After approval from the instructor, you will have about 8 weeks to work on the project. Topics include designing new visualization techniques, conducting empirical evaluations, developing models of vision to measure the efficacy of graphics/visualizations, etc... The project culminates in a written final report.

Course weekly schedule

Evaluation and Grading

Grading Policy

• Project 1: 25%
• Project 2 proposal: 10%
• Project 2 deliberable: 30%
• Paper presentation: 20%
• Participation: 15%

Late Days

Late submissions will be penalized at a deduction rate of 20% per day; After 5 days you will have a maximum grade of zero. For fairness, no further extensions will be granted, except under extraordinary emergencies.

Academic integrity

UIC is an academic community committed to providing an environment in which research, learning, and scholarship can flourish and in which all endeavors are guided by academic and professional integrity. In this community, all members including faculty, administrators, staff, and students alike share the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of academic honesty and quality of academic work so that such a collegial and productive environment exists. As a student and member of the UIC community, you are expected to adhere to the Community Standards of integrity, accountability, and respect in all of your academic endeavors. When accusations of academic dishonesty occur, the Office of the Dean of Students investigates and adjudicates suspected violations of this student code.

Unacceptable behavior includes cheating, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication or falsification, plagiarism, multiple submissions without instructor permission, using unauthorized study aids, coercion regarding grading or evaluation of coursework, and facilitating academic misconduct. Please review the UIC Student Disciplinary Policy for additional information about the process by which instances of academic misconduct are handled towards the goal of developing responsible student behavior. By submitting your assignments for grading you acknowledge these terms, you declare that your work is solely your own, and you promise that, unless authorized by the instructor or proctor, you have not communicated with anyone in any way during an exam or other online assessment. Let's embrace what it means to be a UIC community member and together commit ourselves to the values of integrity. Please familiarize yourself with the UIC Department of Computer Science Student Code of Conduct.

Inclusive learning environment

UIC values diversity and inclusion. Regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geographic background, religion, political ideology, language, or culture, we expect all members of this class to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every other member of our class. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that result in barriers to your inclusion, engagement, accurate assessment or achievement, please notify me as soon as possible.

Disability accommodation

UIC is committed to full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of university life. If you face or anticipate disability-related barriers while at UIC, please connect with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at drc.uic.edu, via email at drc@uic.edu, or call (312) 413-2183 to create a plan for reasonable accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you will need to disclose the disability to the DRC, complete an interactive registration process with the DRC, and provide me with a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). Upon receipt of a LOA, I will gladly work with you and the DRC to implement approved accommodations.

Disclaimer

This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, as the instructor, I reserve the right to modify, supplement and make changes as course needs arise.