CPS 621: Introduction to Multimedia Systems

   Class Time: W 2:00 – 3:00PM, F 4:00 – 6:00PM

Instructor Information

• Instructor Name:   Guanghui (Richard) Wang    
• Office Hours:   M 9:30 – 10:30AM, W 3:00 – 4:00PM   
• Lab Hours:   M 8:00 – 9:00AM
• Course Website:   torontomu.ca (D2L)   
• Email Address:   wangcs@torontomu.ca

Course Description

Multimedia data is becoming increasingly important in many scientific and commercial arenas. In this course, students will be introduced to principles and current technologies of multimedia system design. Topics include: multimedia data representation, processing multimedia visual information, video and audio compression, retrieval of multimedia data, such as text, graphics, colour images and video. In addition, issues related to multimedia hardware and software as well as specific applications will be discussed.

Course Details

Course Materials

Textbook is not mandatory. The following two books are only for reference.

• Costello, V. (2016). Multimedia foundations: Core concepts for digital design. CRC Press   
• Li, Z. N., Drew, M. S., & Liu, J. (2004). Fundamentals of multimedia.Pearson Prentice Hall 
• Havaldar, P, & Medioni, G. (2009). Multimedia systems: algorithms, standards, and industry practices.Course Technology Press  

Lab References

• For the Computer Science Department labs: User's Guide to the CS Department Labs
• For the general Ryerson labs: User's Guide to Academic Computing and the Internet

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, a successful student will be able to:

• Understand the physiological aspects of multimedia perception.
• Understand the audio and visual elements used in multimedia systems.
• Work with hardware and software to create and edit original sounds, images, and videos.
• Understand and compare different multimedia compression schemes and algorithms.
• Compare different methods of storage and transmission used in multimedia systems.
• Create and present an original multimedia presentation using an authoring system.

Course Evaluation

• Weekly quizzes: 10%
• Labs: 20%
• Midterm exam: 20%
• Project: 15%
• Final exam: 35%

Evaluation Guidelines

• All exams will be open-book. The format of the exams will be a combination of multiple-choice, computation, and short answers. The final exam will cover all topics of the entire semester. More details will be available in due time.
• Students are responsible for logging on to the course website at least weekly, and for following all course-related instructions so transmitted. Students must also check their email (the ryerson.ca email as per academic policy) daily for any notices from the Professors and are responsible for following any directives so sent.
• As course topics typically develop based on material from various sources, students are strongly urged to attend ALL classes. If you miss any material due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances be sure to catch up before the next class. Falling behind is the typical cause of course failure.
• Grades on assignments, tests, and labs will be available on the D2L system or other means specified by your Professor. As per Ryerson regulation, final grades will be disclosed only by the registrar's office.
• Tests and exams have specific rules and you must abide by them, which may include limited washroom access. It is forbidden to have at your desk or wear on your person any electronic devices (including watches) during the tests and exam.

General Information

• Assignments, lab reports, exams, and the final project must be submitted in the format detailed in class, and are to be submitted as directed by your Professor. Submissions in any other fashion are not accepted.
• Labs will be done individually and remotely. The main purpose of the labs is for students to gain hands-on experiences on multimedia systems. Lab reports should be submitted through D2L as per the instructions.
• Late assignments will not be accepted. Involvement with plagiarism can ultimately result in course failure and/or expulsion from the University in accordance with the Ryerson Student Code of Academic Conduct.
• Grades on assignments, exams, and labs will be available on the D2L system or other means specified by your Professor. As per Ryerson regulation, final grades will be disclosed only by the registrar's office.
• Tests and exams have specific rules and you must abide by them. It is forbidden to have at your desk or wear on your person any electronic devices (including watches) during the tests and exam unless otherwise specified.

Missed Evaluations

• Students are required to inform their instructors of any situation which arises during the semester which may have an adverse effect upon their academic performance, and must request any considerations and accommodations according to the relevant policies and well in advance. Failure to do so will jeopardize any academic appeals.
• Medical certificates: If a student misses the deadline for submitting an assignment, or the date of an exam or other evaluation component because of illness, he or she must submit a Ryerson Student Health Certificate AND an Academic Consideration form within 3 working days of the missed date. If you are a full-time or part-time degree student, then you submit your forms to your own program department or school; otherwise, you submit your forms at the front desk of the Chang School of Continuing Education.
• Religious observance: If a student needs accommodation because of religious, Aboriginal, or spiritual observance, they must submit a Request for Accommodation of Student Religious, Aboriginal and Spiritual Observance AND an Academic Consideration Request form within the first 2 weeks of the class or, for a final examination, within 2 weeks of the posting of the examination schedule. If the requested absence occurs within the first 2 weeks of classes, or the dates are not known well in advance as they are linked to other conditions, these forms should be submitted with as much lead time as possible in advance of the absence.  If you are a full-time or part-time degree student, then you submit the forms to your own program department or school.  If you are a certificate or non-certificate student, then you submit the forms to the staff at the front desk of the Chang School.
• Academic accommodation support. Students who need academic accommodation support should register with the Academic Accommodation Support office (formerly called the Access Centre). Before the first graded work is due, registered students should inform their instructors through an Accommodation Form for Professorsthat they are registered with Academic Accommodation Support and what accommodations are required.

Email Policy

You are welcome to reach me anytime via email. In accordance with the Policy on Ryerson Student E-mail Accounts (Policy 157), Ryerson requires that any electronic communication by students to Ryerson faculty or staff be sent from their official Ryerson email account. Please use your Ryerson email and include the course code (CPS621) in the subject line.

Course Schedule and Contents

Academic Policies

• Obligations: Students need to inform faculty of any situation arising during the semester which may have an adverse effect upon their academic performance; they must request any necessary considerations (e.g., medical or compassionate), or accommodations [e.g., religious observance, disability (should be registered with the Access Center), etc.] according to policies and well in advance. Failure to do so will jeopardize any academic appeals.
• Re-grading and re-calculation: Must be requested within 10 working days of the return of the graded assignment to the class.
• Ryerson Policies of Interest
  Ryerson Senate Policies - http://www.ryerson.ca/senate/policies/
  Ryerson Academic Integrity - http://www.ryerson.ca/academicintegrity/
  Policy 46 - Undergraduate Grading, Promotion and Academic Standing
  Policy 60 - Student Code of Academic Conduct
  Policy 61 - Student Code of Non-academic Conduct
  Policy 134 - Undergraduate Academic Consideration and Appeals
  Policy 135 - Examination Policy
  Policy 150 - Accommodation of Student Religious Observance Obligations
  Policy 157 - Student Email Accounts for Official University Communication

Academic Conduct

In order to create an environment conducive to learning and respectful of others' rights, phones and pagers must be silenced during lectures, lab sessions, and evaluations. Students should refrain from disrupting the lectures by arriving late and/or leaving the classroom before the lecture is finished. Check the Academic Integrity Office for details.

Academic Misconduct

According to the Ryerson policy 60, academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to: Plagiarism which is the claiming of words, ideas, artistry, drawings, or data of another person. This also includes submitting your own work in whole or in part for credit in two or more courses.
Cheating
Misrepresentation of personal identity or performance
Submission of false information
Contributing to academic misconduct
Damaging, tampering, or interfering with the scholarly environment
Unauthorized copying or use of copyrighted materials
Violations of departmental policies or professional behavior
Violations of specific departmental or course requirements
Committing academic misconduct will trigger academic penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and possibly expulsion from the University. As a Ryerson student, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with Ryerson conduct policies.

Automatic Plagiarism Detection

Project markers may check the originality of the submissions using a plagiarism detection service. Students who do not want their work submitted to the plagiarism detection service must, by the end of the second week of class, consult with the instructor to make alternate arrangements.

Non-Academic Conduct

Ryerson's Student Code of Non-academic Conduct is described in Senate Policy 61. Among many other infractions, the code specifically refers to the following as a violation: "Disruption of Learning and Teaching - Students shall not behave in disruptive ways that obstruct the learning and teaching environment".

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

In this course, I would like to create a learning environment that supports a diversity of thoughts, perspectives, and experiences, and honors your identities (including race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, ability, etc.). For more information about our University's resources and services on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Other Resources Available at Ryerson

• The Library provides research workshops and individual assistance. If the University is open, there is a Research Help desk on the second floor of the library, or go to
• Student Learning Support offers group-based and individual help with writing, math, study skills, and transition support, as well as resources and checklists to support students as online learners.
• You can submit an Academic Consideration Request when an extenuating circumstance has occurred that has significantly impacted your ability to fulfill an academic requirement. You may always visit the Senate website and select the blue radial button on the top right hand side entitled: Academic Consideration Request (ACR) to submit this request).
  

• Ryerson COVID-19 Information and Updates for Students summarizes the variety of resources available to students during the pandemic.>
• Familiarize yourself with the tools you will need to use for remote learning. The Continuity of Learning Guide for students includes guides to completing quizzes or exams in D2L or Respondus, using D2L Brightspace, joining online meetings or lectures, and collaborating with the Google Suite.
• Information on Copyright for Faculty and students.

Contact Us

Computer Vision and Intelligence Systems Laboratory
George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre
Toronto Metropolitan University
350 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON M5B 2K3

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