NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Intro to Tech Animation and Rendering
Course prefix, number, and section number: DFTG 1302, Section 400
Semester/Year of course: FA/24
Semester start and end dates: August 26th--December 14th
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous Online
Class meeting location, days, and times: There are 2 mandatory online meetings. Meeting times will be posted in Canvas.
Lab meeting location, days, and times: Online Lab: Thursdays, 11:00 A.M.--12:00 Noon
Semester credit hours: 3
Course description:
Basic study of technical computer models and animation.
Course prerequisites: None
Required course materials:
Required Software:
- Trimble Sketchup 2024 (Educational Version: $55.00)
- AutoCad 2025 (Free)
- Lockdown Browser (Required for tests)
Other:
- USB Flash Drive (64 GB recommended)
Name of instructor: James Zachary Ouchley
Office location: Corinth, Room 333
Telephone number: 940-365-7421
E-mail address: jouchley@nctc.edu
Office hours for students:
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- Office hours will be held online.
- Please check Canvas for the most up-to-date office hours.
- Meetings should be scheduled through Cisco Webex on Canvas.
- The instructor is not available on Saturday and Sunday. Any questions sent on Saturday or Sunday will be answered on Monday.
SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER
The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
List of graded assignments:
Assignment Group A: Class Exercises/Discussions 30%
Assignment Group B: Reading and Lecture Quizzes 20%
Tests 30%
Term Project 20%
**See attached course calendar
Final grade scale:
90-100 A
80-89.99-B
70-79.99-C
60-69.99-D
59.99 and Below-F
Late work policy: Coursework is not accepted late.
SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policy:
Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
- An “F” for the course
- A scholastic dishonesty report
- A “0” for the assignment
Artificial Intelligence Policy:
- The use of artificial intelligence software is NOT permitted in this course unless specifically stated on an assignment.
- Artificial intelligence detection software may be used to check assignments/tests.
- If an assignment/test is flagged by the software as created by AI, the student may be asked to resubmit the assignment/test.
- If the student does not resubmit the assignment/test, they may receive a 0 for this assignment/test.
- Please also refer to the AI statement in this syllabus.
Attendance Policy:
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
Attendance Policy for online classes (Fall 2024):
- If no assignments are completed by the end of the fourth week, the instructor will withdraw the student.
- If a student does not submit 8 or more assignments, they will be withdrawn from the class or receive an “F” for the class.
- Completing all tests are mandatory. If a student does not complete all tests they will receive an “F” for the class.
- Participation in discussions is mandatory.
- Providing assignments on time is mandatory.
- Submitting a completed final project is mandatory. If a student does not submit a complete final project (75% minimum), they will receive an “F” for the class.
- Participation in the final project presentation is mandatory.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.
Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: November 4th
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Identify basic terminology and concepts associated with the development of technical computer models and animation.
- Create a technical 3-D simulation using lighting, camera, materials, textures, views, and scenes.
- Demonstrate importing models from computer-aided design or solid modeling programs.
Core Objectives: N/A
QEP Learning Outcome: Spoken Communication
COLLEGE POLICIES
ADA STATEMENT
NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations. See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.
AI STATEMENT
Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.
When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.
Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.
STUDENT SERVICES
NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students. (Refer to the following link.)
https://www.nctc.edu/lions#support
TIMLEYCARE
NCTC’s TIMELYCARE provides 24/7 medical and mental telehealth care at no cost. (Refer to the following link.)
https://www.nctc.edu/timelycare
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Instructional Dean: Darrell D Smith
Office location: Champions Circle
Telephone number: 940-668-7731 x1101
E-mail address: ddsmith@nctc.edu