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/25
Semester start and end dates: August 25th--December 13th
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: Wednesdays, 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 2025 (Educational Version: $55.00)
- AutoCad 2025 (Free)
- Lockdown Browser (Free, Required for tests)
Other:
- USB Flash Drive (64 GB recommended)
Name of instructor: James Zachary Ouchley
Office location: Corinth, Room 333
Telephone number: (940) 498-6282 ext. 6538
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.-11:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.-5:00 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 2025):
- If no assignments are completed by the end of the fourth week, the instructor will withdraw the student.
- If a student does not submit 6 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.
- Submitting a completed Trellis project is mandatory. If a student does not submit a complete Trellis project (75% minimum), they will receive an “F” for the class.
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 3rd
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: (817) 464-1001
E-mail address: ddsmith@nctc.edu
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ONLINE CLASSES (FALL 2025)
Internet and Computer
It is the student’s responsibility to have access to a reliable computer and internet connection in order to take this class.
**This class will require extensive use of a computer and the Sketchup 2025 software. It is required to have this software installed on your personal computer.
**The student must have internet service and be able to access Canvas in order to take this class. (Every day of the week)
Contacting the Instructor
You may contact the instructor via email or by calling the number listed in this syllabus.
**The instructor will not respond to text messages.
Emails
1) Emails must be sent through Canvas or your NCTC email account. You should not email the instructor from your personal email account.
2) All emails will be responded to within 24 hours. (Emails sent on the weekend will be responded to no later than Monday.)
3) If you need to schedule an appointment to meet, please do so by sending an email or by using the “Cisco Webex” Tab in Canvas.
Grading turn-around time:
1) Weekly Assignments: 2 Weeks
2) Final Project: 3 Weeks
Additional Attendance Information – In addition to the attendance policy as specified by NCTC (on page 3 of this syllabus), the following criteria will be in place.
-
- Each student must make every effort to attend class. This is even true for online classes. Online classes have weekly discussion questions that must be completed on specified days. This is how, in part, your attendance is measured online. These discussion questions are assigned weekly and cannot be made up.
- If a student misses more than 25% of a class, the contact hours will be considered not to have been met and the student will be automatically given a failing grade and dropped from the class. In face-to-face and hybrid classes this is your physical presence, in online, as mentioned this is through discussions and other weekly activities.
TESTS
Makeup Tests:
You must give me advance notice if you will be missing a test. You must take your makeup test within 1 week of the original test (Otherwise you will receive a 0 for the test). No make-up tests are allowed the last week of the semester. There will not be a make-up allowed for the final test.
Test Instructions:
- Tests will be between 10-40 questions.
- Tests will be open for 1 week only.
- You will have 15-120 minutes to complete each test.
- No outside materials/internet is allowed unless specified otherwise.
- Tests will be taken through Canvas.
- Lockdown Browser may be required to take tests.
- Grades will be posted on Canvas for your review.
ASSIGNMENTS
Modules:
1) All assignments must be completed in order.
2) It is o.k. to work ahead in each module.
3) All assignments must be completed on time in each module.
4) Once modules are closed, they will not be accessible. Any assignments not done will receive a “0”.
Late Assignments:
Course work will not be accepted late.
Assignment Instructions
- No late assignments will be accepted. If you do not submit an assignment by the due date (posted on Canvas), you will receive a 0 for the assignment.
- Assignments and due dates will be posted on Canvas.
- Assignments will be submitted through Canvas unless specified otherwise.
- If you are asked to resubmit an assignment, you must do so within one week of the request.
- If you have life circumstances that are preventing you from completing your assignments, you must notify me by email and schedule an office visit or phone call.
- Extensions to assignments may be given under special circumstances. The instructor must approve the extension, and extensions will be no longer than 1 week after the initial due date. (A student will not be given more than 2 extensions unless there are extreme circumstances). You must request an extension by email and provide a valid excuse. The instructor may require an office visit or phone call in order to approve the extension.
TERM PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS
- The term project will be completed throughout the semester. There will be multiple steps to complete.
- You will be required to present your term project to the class. This will be in a live online meeting.
3) No late projects will be accepted.
4) All term project requirements and due dates will be posted on Canvas.
5) Term projects are mandatory. If you do not submit a completed term project and presentation (75% minimum), you will receive an “F” for this course. Incomplete projects will not be accepted.
6) It is very important to stay caught up on the term project. If you get behind, it will be very hard to finish this project.
7) This project will be worth 20% of your entire grade.
DISCUSSIONS
1) Discussions are a mandatory part of the course.
2) There will be a discussion due every week.
3) Initial posts will be due on Wednesday, and responses will be due on Sunday of the same week.
4) Discussions will be graded on:
-Word Count
-Post addresses topic
-Post is thorough and well written (spelling and grammar)
-Responded to at least 1 other student with required word count.
5) Some discussion posts will have special grading criteria. This will be posted in Canvas.
6) Please make sure your discussion post is 100% original content written by you. Please do not copy and paste content from another website.
7) Artificial Intelligence software should NOT be used to write your discussion post.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
NCTC has a variety of resources available if you need financial help.
- You must apply for these resources, and you must meet all the requirements to be eligible to receive them. (They are not guaranteed.)
- These can be used for books, childcare, transportation, etc.
- If you have a financial need, please email me, and I can recommend the appropriate person to contact regarding your need.
- I cannot guarantee that you will be eligible, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
*Changes or updates to this syllabus may be made during the semester. These changes will be posted on Canvas.