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Master of Visual Computing
Overview
The Master of Visual Computing engages students in developing deep knowledge and practical skills in the area of visual computing.
The program trains visual data scientists and engineers who apply specialized knowledge in computer science to develop cutting-edge tools, stimulate product innovation, and explore new technology fronts in all commercial, engineering, and creative professions.
This full-time master's program is suitable for students who wish to work in industry upon graduation and who have a strong aptitude in computer science, or other quantitative fields, such as engineering and mathematics.
school School of Computing Science
work Professional Master's Program
description Master of Visual Computing
calendar_month 16 Months
1st
and only visual computing program of its kind in Canada
#2
in Canada for computer vision publications
CSrankings.org (2012-2022)
#2
IN CANADA FOR computer graphics publications
#10 in the world
CSrankings.org (2012-2022)
Program at-a-glance
Unlike traditional thesis-based degrees, this program does not have a research component. Instead, almost half of the coursework consists of hands-on lab training, complemented by a carefully selected array of instructional courses. Students develop deep knowledge and practical skills working with data in all forms. Consulting with dedicated academic advisors, students are able to select courses that help them hone in on an area of interest.
A hallmark of our program is the mandatory, paid co-op placement. Co-op allows students to tackle real-world scientific, engineering and socio-economic problems while gaining valuable project management experience and expanding their network of industry contacts.
Curriculum
The current curriculum of the Master of Visual Computing covers (but is not limited to) the following topics:
- Fundamentals and advanced knowledge related to computer vision, computer graphics, and image processing.
- Machine learning, deep learning, and data-driven techniques in visual computing.
- Pattern and action recognition in images and video.
- Visual data acquisition, e.g. computational photography, laser scanning, and geometry and motion tracking.
- Visual computing on specialized data and applications, e.g. medical, simulation, AR/VR, 3D games, and robotics, etc.
- Computational design and fabrication, e.g. 3D printing.
Admission Requirements
Admission to this master's programs is competitive: only the best qualified applicants are offered a seat. Therefore, it is imperative that students familiarize themselves with the admission requirements in order to ensure they submit a strong application. Since conditional and qualifying admission offers are made very rarely and only in exceptional cases, students who qualify for regular admission have higher chances of acceptance than those who only qualify for conditional or qualifying admission.
Foundations:
In order for students to succeed in this program, it is expected that they have the following knowledge/experience prior to beginning their studies:
- Ability to program in Java, Python and C++. Familiarity with programming and ability to learn new languages. Students planning to take courses in computer graphics, computer vision, etc. may not need Java and C++ but need Matlab.
- Knowledge of advanced math - calculus, linear algebra and advanced statistics.
- Knowledge of data structures and algorithms, databases, and operating systems.
Regular Admission:
Regular admission is the preferred route for this program. To qualify, students must satisfy the admission requirements laid out here as well as the University's admission requirements for a master's program, as stated in SFU Graduate Regulation 1.3.6a.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR DEGREES IN CANADA
Students must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.00/4.33 (B) or the equivalent. Alternatively, a minimum GPA of 3.33/4.33 on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses will also meet the GPA requirements for admission to the program. All graduate work is also considered.
Students who have completed their degrees outside of Canada
Students applying to this program must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field. Please see here for minimum equivalent qualifications, academic standing and required credential for students who have completed their degree outside of Canada. The academic requirement is listed by country.
CONDITIONAL & QUALIFYING ADMISSION:
In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. Please do not contact us about waiving the requirement. Instead, use your application materials (your CV, statement of purpose, etc.) to make the case that your professional experience is relevant and should be considered along with your GPA.
The School's graduate admissions committee may also, at its discretion, offer admission to the program to exceptional students whose undergraduate degree is not in computer science or a related field. Such students typically make up for the lack of program-specific education through relevant work experience, course work, or certificates, diplomas, etc.
For more information on qualifying and conditional admission, please view Graduate Admissions Regulations 1.3.8 and 1.3.9.
Please note: Conditional and qualifying admission are offered only in exceptional circumstances.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETENCY
The language of instruction, examination and communication in our program is English. Students whose primary language is not English must meet SFU's English proficiency requirements as set out in the Graduate General Regulation 1.3.3. Applicants who have completed a degree at a recognized post-secondary institution where the language of instruction and examination is English in a country where English is the primary language are not required to submit proof of English proficiency. Please view the list of accepted countries here.
All other applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. For more detailed information on the requirements, please visit the Graduate Studies page on English Language Requirements.
Meet Our Students
Reza Asad
Master of Science in Visual Computing, Class of 2020
Previous Education:
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Mathematics, University of Toronto
Previous Experience:
Data Scientist at Tamr, San Francisco Bay Area
While I was working I spent a lot of time outside my job to learn about cutting-edge developments in machine learning. In particular, a machine learning conference at Google led by Ian Goodfellow and his research group sparked my curiosity about deep learning and its applications to computer vision. The conference as well as the readings I completed afterwards were the main factors that inspired me to pursue a graduate degree where I could focus on visual data.
Jayleen Zhou
Master of Visual Computing, Class of 2020
Previous Education:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis
Previous Experience:
Advertising Creative Developer at Fancy Pants Group, New York City
I was preparing a pitch for a client when I came across a video demo of an augmented reality installation that Purina had created in a shopping mall. The installation allowed customers to interact with Purina's cartoon mascot ‘Felix the cat’. Watching the video, I suddenly understood the appeal of augmented reality. I believe adding more of these kinds of installations in our daily lives will change the way we live, and I want to be one of the people who can create such content.