Thesis (B.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING / Includes bibliographical references. / by David P. Harrahy. / B.S.

Thesis. 1978. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaf 125. / by Avram K. Tetewsky. / M.S.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Vita. / Bibliography: leaves 98-102. / by Brad Allen Myers. / M.S.

Three-dimensional scans and other volumetric data sources often result in representations that are more complex topologically than the original model. The extraneous critical points, handles, and components are called topological noise. Many algorithms in computer graphics require simple topology in order to work optimally, including texture mapping, surface parameterization, flows on surfaces, and conformal mappings. The topological noise disrupts these procedures by requiring each small handle to be dealt with individually. Furthermore, topological descriptions of volumetric data are useful for visualization and data queries. One such description is the contour tree (or Reeb graph), which depicts when the isosurfaces split and merge as the isovalue changes. In the presence of topological noise, the contour tree can be too large to be useful. For these reasons, an important goal in computer graphics is simplification of the topology of volumetric data. The key to this thesis is that the global topology of volumetric data sets is determined by local changes at individual points. Therefore, we march through the data one grid cell at a time, and for each cell, we use a local check to determine if the topology of an isosurface is changing. If so, we change the value of the cell so that the topology change is prevented. In this thesis we describe variations on the local topology check for use in different settings. We use the topology simplification procedure to extract a single component with controlled topology from an isosurface in volume data sets and partially-defined volume data sets. We also use it to remove critical points from three-dimensional volumes, as well as time-varying volumes. We have applied the technique to two-dimensional (plus time) data sets and three dimensional (plus time) data sets.

Thesis (M.S. in Computer Science)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Don Brutzman, Curtis Blais. Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-104). Also available online.

Current trends indicate that the population explosion and invasion of information technology, particularly in developing nations, are likely to overwhelm education systems and policy makers, educators, researchers and therefore the community faces enormous challenges. Also, many graduates of various levels and disciplines appear unable to practically apply their knowledge in problem solving situations. In an attempt to achieve and maintain high educational standards, many nations are devoting substantial proportions of the gross domestic product toward educational endeavours. However, few systems are adopting modern education practices that intrinsically motivate and engage learners, and are at the same time flexible enough to consider students' aspirations and interests. It is argued that such systems would make learning more relevant, meaningful and enjoyable to the learners and are bound to improve exit performances. In such a system, the role of the teacher is that of a facilitator, and not instructor. Constructivism, a philosophy which holds that knowledge is actively constructed by learners through learning, is regarded as promising to provide a long-term solution to many educational problems since its underlying principles are argued to be holistic. It has become imperative that technology in general and the computer in particular should play a role as educational tools as these have capabilities that could be designed to make learning relevant and interesting to learners. It is argued that its use within constructivist approaches and curriculum considerations would increase learner abilities. An eclectic approach to curriculum design is advised for success in this endeavour. Since computers permeate most aspects of our lives (directly or indirectly) their inclusion in teaching and learning situations must become a reality. This project is focused on underscoring the fact that computer based education (CBE), under constructivist philosophy, can provide solutions to problems brought about by extreme interpretations of the deductive or traditional teaching approach. Particularly, it attempts to show that use of three-dimensional (3D) visualizations could significantly aid comprehension and perception of, among other units of discourse, cytoplasmic structure, geo-referenced graphical data, and the understanding of spatial relationships. This is a technique that has, in the recent past, received little attention and no extensive educational research has been carried out with the aim of perfecting it. Recent research carried out by members of the Biological Pedagogy (Bioped) research group identified conceptual problems in learners regarding biological processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Having established that the misconceptions in learners were attributable to their lack of visualization ability, the first part of the project involved identifying some of the specific visual problems. A qualitative research approach was used to ascertain from university lecturers what convictions, beliefs and experiences they had had with their students that related to use of visualization skills. Skills most required included interpretation of 2D and 3D structures as well as their rotation in space. A survey was also carried out among Cell Biology first and second year students of the School of Life and Environmental Studies in order to precisely determine aspects of three-dimensionality and visual skills suspected to cause conceptual difficulties. Quantitative data analysis showed that the most deficient skills in the learners included pattern folding (projecting 2D material into 3D objects), orientation of form (identifying 3D objects that are oriented differently) and rotation (identifying 3D objects from top and front views). These findings corroborated qualitative analysis of lecturers opinions and convictions. An educational computer game was designed with the aim of ameliorating these problems. The game consisted of 3D scenes where puzzles related to the skills mentioned above needed to be solved. It was recommended that visualization skills should be incorporated into the biology curriculum for all undergraduate students within the first year of the course. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, 1999.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Stasko, John T.; Committee Member: Edwards, Keith; Committee Member: Greenberg, Saul; Committee Member: Grinter, Beki; Committee Member: Guzdial, Mark. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (M. S.)--Literature, Communication, and Culture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Mazalek, Ali; Committee Member: Bolter, Jay David; Committee Member: Do, Ellen Yi-Luen; Committee Member: Nitsche, Michael; Committee Member: Winegarden, Claudia R.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

M.Sc. (Computer Science) / Please refer to full text to view abstract