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Unit outline_

COMP4415: Multimedia Design and Authoring

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides principles and practicalities of creating interactive and effective multimedia products. It gives an overview of the complete spectrum of different media platforms and current authoring techniques used in multimedia production. Coverage includes the following key topics: enabling multimedia technologies; multimedia design issues; interactive 2D and 3D computer animation; multimedia object modelling and rendering; multimedia scripting programming; post-production and delivery of multimedia applications.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
132 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
COMP5415
Assumed knowledge
? 

Experience with software development as covered in SOFT2412

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Xiu Wang, xiu.wang@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
Type C
40% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative assessment / demonstration Lab practice & homework
individual homework presentations, Demonstrations, and submissions
17% Multiple weeks multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration workshop presentation, demonstration & submission
individual presentation, demonstration & submission
8% Week 05
Due date: 28 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 29 Aug 2024
W05
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1
multimedia project design, proposal, and in-lab demo
10% Week 07
Due date: 11 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 Sep 2024
multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Assignment 2 & 3
multimedia project delivery, report, demonstration and presentation
25% Week 11
Due date: 16 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 17 Oct 2024
Multiple weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

More detailed information (e.g. assessment rubrics) and submission instructions must be published on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1). As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard. 

Result name Mark Range Description
High distinction 85 - 100  
Distinction 75 - 84  
Credit 65 - 74  
Pass 50 - 64  
Fail 0 - 49 When you don't meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

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For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date - Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. Assignments submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 02 Computer Animation Fundamentals Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 3D Computer Animation 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Digital Images & Retouching Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 05 Multimedia Design Issues Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Basic design principles & Multimedia Integration and Development Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Digital Audio & Video Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Post-processing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 3D Computer Animation 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 3D Computer Animation 3 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Multimedia Production Presentation and Demos Presentation (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Multimedia production presentation and demos Presentation (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Review and Reflection Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled lectures and tutorials

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. create interactive multimedia applications with contemporary development programs
  • LO2. articulate relationships between different multimedia building blocks and related design issues
  • LO3. manipulate and interpret various digital media for diverse multimedia applications
  • LO4. demonstrate competency in utilization of key multimedia authoring programs.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.