TEACHING
ERGUN AKLEMAN
Overview of Courses

In the Visualization Sciences program, I teach a wide variety of topics encompassing both the artistic and scientific aspects of computer graphics. All my courses are inherently interdisciplinary, combining a studio-based approach with traditional lectures. The courses I have taught can be broadly classified into three categories: (1) Technical Computer Graphics and Visualization Courses, such as Image Synthesis, Digital Image, and Computer-Aided Sculpting; (2) Art & Design (or Practical Computer Graphics and Visualization) Courses, such as Digital Compositing and Rendering & Shading; and (3) Storytelling and Animation Courses, such as Visual Storytelling and Computer Animation.

In my technical computer graphics courses, which are often intensive in computer science and mathematics, students also explore the aesthetic aspects of the subject. Similarly, in my art, design, and animation courses, students gain an understanding of the underlying mathematical and scientific principles. I currently teach six courses regularly: Image Synthesis, Digital Image, Computer-Aided Sculpting, Digital Compositing, Rendering & Shading, and Visual Storytelling. (See descriptions of these courses below.)

Teaching Statement

Teaching is not merely the transmission of knowledge—it is the cultivation of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Over nearly three decades at Texas A&M University, I have embraced the role of a mentor, educator, and facilitator, guiding students at the intersection of computation, visualization, and the arts. My teaching philosophy is rooted in fostering transdisciplinary learning, empowering students to explore the synergy between technical rigor and artistic intuition.

I strive to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students feel encouraged to take intellectual risks, collaborate, and think beyond traditional boundaries. In my courses, whether technical or creative, I emphasize hands-on learning and problem-solving. By engaging students with projects that bridge theory and practice, I encourage them to view challenges as opportunities for innovation. For example, students in my computer graphics and geometric modeling courses not only learn the principles of algorithm design and computational geometry but also apply them to create visually compelling, real-world applications such as animations, visualizations, and 3D models.

Mentorship is central to my teaching approach. I have supervised nearly 100 graduate students, many of whom have gone on to influential roles at leading companies like PIXAR, Disney, DreamWorks, and Google. I take pride in guiding students as they navigate their unique paths, offering tailored support to help them achieve their goals. My interdisciplinary background allows me to engage students from diverse academic and creative domains, enriching the learning experience with perspectives from computer science, engineering, art, and architecture.

Beyond technical skills, I emphasize the importance of communication, storytelling, and visual literacy in my teaching. I believe that the ability to convey complex ideas effectively is as critical as solving technical problems. To this end, I integrate elements of design thinking, narrative construction, and artistic critique into my courses, equipping students with tools to succeed in both academic and professional contexts.

Looking ahead, my teaching will continue to evolve with emerging fields like AI-driven design, interactive storytelling, and computational aesthetics. By staying at the forefront of technology and innovation, I aim to prepare students not only to adapt to a rapidly changing world but to shape it creatively and responsibly. Ultimately, my goal as an educator is to inspire students to see themselves as creators, capable of blending art and technology to solve problems, tell stories, and build a better future.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Technical Computer Graphics & Visualization Courses
Viza 654, Digital Image (crosslisted with Computer Science: CPSC 646).
This course is designed to provide a thorough grounding in the state of the art in the treatment of digital images, particularly within the context of computer graphics, and digital effects. It is designed to prepare students to understand existing systems for storage, display, transformation and manipulation of digital images write their own software for working with digital images undertake creative work and research involving digital images.
Viza 656, Image Synthesis (crosslisted with Computer Science: CPSC 647).
The course covers rendering techniques that include the algorithms that simulate various properties of light propagation such as ray tracing, volume rendering, backward ray tracing, radiosity and photon mapping. The course also covers practical applications of mathematical concepts such as vector, matrix and quaternion algebra, and projective geometry. In a step by step fashion, the students develop a ray tracer and extend it to either a backward ray tracer, volume renderer or photon mapping system.
Viza 657, Computer Aided Sculpting (crosslisted with Computer Science: CPSC 648).
This is a shape modeling course that teaches parametric representations, subdivision schemes, implicit representations, free-form deformations and topology. Parametric representations includes topics such as Bezier surfaces, B-Splines, Beta-splines, NURBS, Kochaheck-Bartels, Interpolation Splines, parametric and geometric continuity. Implicit representations covers subjects such as Ricci and Rvachev operations, Blobs and Metaballs, Superquadrics, Hyperquadrics and Ray-Quadrics, and Blinn's exponentials. Subdivision schemes includes topics such as Catmull-Clark, Doo-Sabin, Non-uniform rational subdivision surfaces, Loop scheme and eigenvalue analysis.
Art & Design (or Practical Computer Graphics & Visualization) Courses
Viza 616, Rendering & Shading
The course covers advanced rendering and shading techniques for the attainment of a desired visual effect; topics may include shading languages, attainment of visual realism, integration of rendering and modeling tools, and non-photorealistic rendering.
Viza 665, Digital Compositing
This is a technical directing course that teaches practical techniques for recovering information from real images such as position and orientation of the camera, camera parameters, orientations and positions of real objects and lights, surface properties of the objects and properties of lights. These techniques are based on current research in Image Based Rendering and 3D photography.
Storytelling & Animation Courses
Viza 641, Visual Storytelling
This course is an exploration of visual storytelling techniques for the attainment of desired storytelling effects; includes character development, using shots, camera, lights, props and background elements, master plots, one and multi-panel cartoons, comics, storyboards, animatics and storyreels. The content of this course is partly covered in an earlier Viza 617 - Advanced Animation course.
Viza 613, 3D Modeling and Animation
This course covers animation principles such as anticipation and follow through, timing, squash and stretch, staging and weight with a series of homeworks and projects. The homeworks and projects are short animations mostly created by using 3D modeling and animation software. Each homework is specifically designed to teach at least one animation principle. The course also covers 3D shape modeling concepts such as polygonal modeling, NURBS, patch modeling and subdivision surfaces with another series of weekly assignments.
Viza 615, Computer Animation
This is the second animation course that eventually become the digital compositing course, VIZA 665. Originally the course covered a variety of techniques. Storytelling was always a part of the course even when digital compositing became dominant part. By using some of these techniques, students integrate CG elements into their video shots. Students develop their project with weekly homeworks starting from a story idea. Each week they improve the story step by step by developing rough and final storyboards, concept sketches, animatics and video editing.
Critical Theory
Vist 441, Scientific & Technological Developments in Visual Arts
The course will cover the relationship between art, science and technology. There are two main subjects: Visual arts before digital revolution and Computer Graphics Arts. The course provides a comparative analysis of scientific, technological and artistic innovations from 30,000 BC to today.