Courses in Graphics
(updated for academic year 2011-2012, but not for 2012-2013 or later)
News flashes:
12/1/14 - New Stanford faculty member Gordon Wetzstein will be teaching CS 448I, Computational Imaging and Display, in Winter quarter.
10/6/11 - Computational Photography (formerly CS 448A) has a new number, CS 478
3/31/09 - Starting in 2009-2010,
CS 148
will be taught in Autumn, and
CS 248
will be taught in Winter,
Also, 148 will become a prereq to 248.
Stanford offers the following courses in graphics:
(Not all courses are offered every year.)
CS/EE cross listings:
(These are now deprecated, and will soon be removed.)
- CS 148 = EE 167
- CS 248 = EE 287
- CS 348A = EE 481A
- CS 348B = EE 481B
- CS 448 = EE 484
- CS 448I = EE 367
- CS 528 = EE 485
The following courses are being offered this year (2011-2012).
- Autumn quarter:
-
-
-
- Winter quarter:
-
Spring quarter:
Press here for the
Computer Science Department pages in the Stanford Course Bulletin.
Press here for a listing of courses that are no
longer offered.
Press here to return to the home
page.
CS 48N - The Science of Art
(formerly CS 99D)
(Stanford Introductory Seminar)
The interwoven histories of science and Western art from the Renaissance
to the 19th century. Emphasis is on the revolutions in science and mathematics
that have inspired parallel revolutions in the visual arts (e.g., Brunelleschi's
invention of linear perspective, Newton's discoveries in geometric optics,
and the theories of color vision proposed by Goethe, Young, Helmholtz, etc.).
The scientific principles behind image making, including a brief survey of
digital image synthesis (a.k.a. computer graphics). However, this is not a
course in computer graphics. No programming experience is required. Intended
primarily for freshmen and sophmores, with preference given to freshmen. Enrollment
limited. Satisfies GER:DB-EngrAppSci.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Instructor:
- Marc Levoy
- Televised?
- No
- Next offering:
- 2013 or 2014
Past offerings:
Look here for some outstanding student projects that we've placed online:
CS 148 - Introductory Computer Graphics
Introductory Computer Graphics and Imaging Topics: Image input and
output devices such as cameras and displays, graphics hardware and
software, input technologies and interactive techniques, typography and
page layout, light and color representations, exposure and tone
reproduction, image composition and imaging models, digital signal
processing, sampling, aliasing and antialiasing, compression, two- and
three-dimensional geometry and transformations, modeling techniques
including curves and surfaces, reflection models and illumination
algorithms, and basic methods of animation. Programming assignments
using C++ and OpenGL. GER:DB-EngrAppSci
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisites:
- CS 107 and Math 51
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- Autumn
- Time:
- Tue/Thu 2:15-3:30pm in Braun Aud
- Instructor:
- Pat Hanrahan
- Televised?
- No
Current offering:
Past offerings:
CS 164 - Computing with Physical Objects: Algorithms for Shape and
Motion
Algorithms and data structures deadling with the representation and
manipulation of physical objects and entities in the
computer. Computational structures for shape and motion, shape fitting
and matching, triangulations and other spatial subdivisions, and
low-dimensional search and optimization. Examples relevant to computer
graphics, computer vision, robotics and geometric computation
emphasizing algorithmic paradigms applicable to multidimensional
data.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisites:
- CS 103 or 103B, and CS 109 or STATS 116, and CS 106B/X or consent of instructor.
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- (not offered)
- Time:
- Mon/Wed 2:15 - 3:30
- Instructor:
- Leonidas Guibas
- Televised?
- No
Past offerings:
CS 178 - Digital Photography
Scientific, artistic, and computing aspects of digital photography.
Topics: lenses and optics, light and sensors, optical effects in
nature, perspective and depth of field, sampling and noise, the camera
as a computing platform, image processing and editing, history of
photography, computational photography. Coursework is written
assignments, exams, and photography assignments. Enrolled students
will be given free access to Photoshop during the course. Counts as a
CS elective in the Graphics Track. Also satisfies
GER:DB-EngrAppSci.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisites:
- Introductory calculus.
No programming experience required.
Students
must have a digital camera with manual control over shutter speed and
aperture.
Loaner cameras will be available to students who need
them (until we run out).
- Quarter (in 2013-2014):
- Spring
- Time:
- Tue/Thu 2:15-3:30pm in Hewlett 201
- Instructor:
- Marc Levoy
- Televised?
- No
- Next offering:
- None
Current offering:
Past offerings:
Best photographs from each of the weekly assignments:
Continuous mathematics background necessary for research in robotics,
vision, and graphics. Possible topics: linear algebra; the conjugate
gradient method; ordinary and partial differential equations; vector
and tensor calculus.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisite:
- 106B or 106X; MATH 51; or equivalents.
- Quarter (in 2013-2014):
- Autumn
- Instructor:
- Justin Solomon
- Televised?
- Yes
Current offering:
(cross listed as CME 306)
Numerical methods for simulation of problems involving solid mechanics
and fluid dynamics. Focus is on practical tools needed for simulation,
and continuous mathematics involving nonlinear hyperbolic partial
differential equations. Possible topics: finite element method, highly
deformable elastic bodies, plasticity, fracture, level set method,
Burgers’ equation, compressible and incompressible Navier-Stokes
equations, smoke, water, fire, and solid-fluid coupling.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisite:
- 205A or equivalent.
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- (not offered)
Past offering:
CS 248 - Interactive Computer Graphics
(formerly called Introduction to Computer Graphics)
Rendering, animation and modeling for interactive computer graphics. Rasterization, graphics pipeline, graphics hardware; texture mapping and its applications; lighting and surface shading; rendering optimization; keyframing; physics simulation. Programming projects and final project.
Prerequisite: CS 148.
- Units:
- 3-5, at the student's discretion (no change in course requirements).
- Prerequisite:
- CS 148.
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- Winter
- Time:
- Mon/Wed 11:00am - 12:15pm
- Instructor:
- Vladlen Koltun
- Televised?
- Yes, but not offered to out-of-Bay-Area students.
Past offerings:
- Spring, 1995 (Levoy)
- Winter, 1996 (Hanrahan)
- Winter, 1997 (Hanrahan)
- Winter, 1998 (Hanrahan)
- Autumn, 1998 (Hanrahan)
- Autumn, 1999 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2000 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2001 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2002 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2003 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2004 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2005 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2006 (Levoy)
- Autumn, 2007 (Akeley)
- Autumn, 2008 (Levoy)
- Winter, 2010 (Koltun)
- Winter, 2011 (Koltun)
Look here for images and animations from the old CS 248 rendering
competitions:
And look here for results of the more recent CS 248 video
game competitions:
- Autumn, 1999
- Autumn, 2000
- Autumn, 2001
- Autumn, 2002
- Autumn, 2003
- Autumn, 2004
- Autumn, 2005
- Autumn, 2006
- Autumn, 2007
- Autumn, 2008
- Winter, 2010
- Winter, 2011
CS 268 - Geometric Algorithms
(formerly CS 368)
An introduction to the basic techniques used in the design
and analysis of efficient geometric algorithms including: convexity, triangulation,
sweeping, partitioning, and point location. Voronoi and Delaunay diagrams.
Arrangements and convex polytopes. Intersection and visibility problems.
Geometric searching and optimization. Random sampling methods. Impact of
numerical issues in geometric computation. Example applications to robotic
motion planning, visibility preprocessing in graphics, model-based recognition
in computer vision, and structural molecular biology.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisites:
- CS 161
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- (not offered)
Past offerings (of CS268 or CS 368):
- Spring,
2000 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2001 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2002 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2003 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2004 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2005 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2006 (Guibas)
- Winter, 2007 (Guibas)
- Winter, 2009 (Guibas)
- Spring, 2011 (Guibas)
CS 348A - Computer Graphics: Geometric Modeling
(formerly called Mathematical Methods)
The mathematical tools needed for the geometrical aspects of computer
graphics and especially for modeling smooth shapes. Fundamentals:
homogeneous coordinates, transformations, and perspective. Theory of
parametric and implicit curve and surface models: polar forms, Bezier
arcs and de Casteljau subdivision, continuity constraints, B-splines,
tensor product, and triangular patch surfaces. Subdivision surfaces and
multiresolution representations of geometry. Representations of solids
and conversions among them. Surface reconstruction from scattered data
points. Geometry processing on meshes, including simplification.
- Units:
- 4. May be taken for 3 units by graduate students (same course requirements).
- Prerequisites:
- Linear algebra. Recommended: 164
- Quarter (in 2012-2013):
- Winter
- Time:
- Mon/Wed 9:30 - 10:45 in Clark S361
- Instructor:
- Leonidas Guibas
Current Offering:
- Winter 2013 (Guibas)
Past Offerings:
CS 348B - Computer Graphics: Image Synthesis Techniques
Intermediate level, emphasizing sampling, shading, and display aspects
of computer graphics. Topics: local and global illumination methods
including radiosity and distributed ray tracing, texture generation and
rendering, volume rendering, strategies for anti-aliasing and
photo-realism, human vision and color science as they relate to
computer displays, and high-performance architectures for
graphics. Written assignments and programming projects.
- Units:
- 4. May be taken for 3 units by graduate students (same course requirements).
- Prerequisite:
- CS 248 or equivalent
- Recommended:
- Fourier analysis or digital signal processing
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- Spring
- Time:
- Tue/Thu 9:30 - 10:45
- Instructor:
- Pat Hanrahan
- Televised?
- No
Past offerings:
- Winter, 1995 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 1996 (Levoy)
- Spring, 1997 (Levoy)
- Spring, 1998 (Levoy)
- Spring, 1999 (Crow)
- Spring, 2000 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2001 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2002 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2003 (Pharr)
- Spring, 2004 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2005 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2006 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2007 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2008 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2009 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2010 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2011 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2012 (Hanrahan)
- Spring, 2013 (Pharr)
- Spring, 2014 (Pharr)
Look here for images and animations from the yearly CS 348B rendering competitions:
- Winter,
1992
- Winter,
1993
- Winter,
1994
- Winter,
1995
- Spring,
1996
- Spring,
1997
- Spring,
1998
- Spring,
1999
- Spring,
2000
- Spring,
2001
- Spring,
2002
- Spring, 2003
- Spring, 2004
- Spring, 2005
- Spring, 2006
- Spring, 2007
- Spring, 2008
- Spring, 2009
CS 448 - Topics in Computer Graphics
Topic changes each quarter. Recent topics: computational photography,
data visualization, character animation, virtual worlds, graphics
architectures, advanced rendering. Some offerings may be listed
in the Stanford online course catalog.
For a complete listing of offerings and
prerequisites, see below.
Course may be repeated for credit.
- Units:
- Depends on the course; usually 3, but sometimes 1-3, 1-4, or 3-4
- Prerequisites:
- Depends on the course
- Televised?
- No
- Offerings in 2011-2012:
-
CS 448B - Data Visualization (Heer, Autumn 2011, Tue/Thu 1:35pm - 3:05pm)
Techniques and algorithms for creating effective visualizations
based on principles from graphic design, visual art, perceptual
psychology, and cognitive science. Topics: graphical
perception, data and image models, visual encoding, graph and
tree layout, color, animation, interaction techniques,
automated design. Lectures, reading, and project.
Prerequisite: one of 147, 148, or equivalent. 3 units.
- (For CS 448A - Computational Photography, see CS 478)
Past offerings (under the number 348C through 1996-7)
- Global illumination algorithms and data visualization (Levoy,
Spring, 1991)
- Exotic input and display technologies (Levoy,
Spring, 1992)
- Modeling of natural phenomena (Levoy and Turk,
Spring, 1993)
- Digital filmmaking (Levoy, Spring, 1994)
- Media technologies for graphics (Levoy, Winter,
1995)
- Graphics architectures (Hanrahan,
Spring, 1995)
- Modeling in computer graphics (Lerios,
Fall, 1995)
- Virtual Reality (Levoy,
Winter, 1996)
- Graphics Architectures (Hanrahan,
Winter, 1996)
- Visualizing Computer Systems (Hanrahan,
Levoy, and Rosenblum,
Fall, 1996)
- Sensing for graphics (Levoy
and Curless, Winter, 1997)
- Mathematical Methods for Computer Graphics
(Hanrahan, Veach, and
Zorin, Autumn, 1997)
- Illustration, Perception, and Visualization
(Hanrahan, Spring, 1998)
- Experiments in Digital Television (Hanrahan,
Rutman, and Slusallek, Autumn, 1998)
- Interactive
Workplaces (Pat Hanrahan and Terry
Winograd, Autumn, 1999)
- Motion Study: Introduction to Animation, Cartoon Physics, and Funny
Walks (Loeb, Autumn, 1999, and Winter, 2000)
- Experiments in Digital Television
(Hanrahan, Winter, 2000)
- Topics in Modeling (Leonidas
Guibas, Winter, 2000)
- Real-time Programmable Shading (Bill
Mark and Marc Olano, Spring,
2000)
- Experiments in Motion Capture (Bregler, Alexander,
Autumn, 2000)
- Motion Studies (Loeb, Autumn, 2000)
- Appearance Models for Computer Graphics and
Vision (Hanrahan, Malik, Marschner, Jensen, Aut/Win, 2000)
- Physics Based Animation for Computer Graphics
(Fedkiw, Spring, 2001)
- Real Time Graphics Architecture (Hanrahan,
Akeley, Autumn, 2001)
- Motion Studies (Loeb, Autumn,
2001)
- Digital Photography and Image-Based Rendering
(Levoy, Marschner, Spring, 2002)
- Special Topics in Visualization (Hanrahan,
Spring, 2002)
- Advanced Rendering (Hanrahan, Autumn, 2002)
- Visualization (Hanrahan, Winter, 2004)
- Computational Photography
(Levoy, Wilburn, Spring, 2004)
- Modeling, Measuring and Perceiving Appearance
(Hanrahan, Lensch, Winter, 2005)
- Visualization
(Hanrahan, Winter, 2006)
- Computational Photography
(Levoy, Lensch, Winter, 2006)
- Graphics Architecture (Hanrahan and Akeley, Spring, 2007)
- Virtual Worlds (Koltun, Autumn 2007)
- Computational Photography on Mobile Computing Platforms (Levoy/Adams/Pulli, Spring 2008)
-
CS 448D - Character Animation (Koltun, Spring 2009)
-
CS 448B - Data Visualization (Heer, Winter 2009)
-
CS 448F - Image Processing for Photography and Vision (Andrew Adams (Autumn 2009)
- CS 448A - Computational Photography (Levoy/Durand, Winter, 2010)
-
CS 448X - Math and Computer Science behind Special Effects (Fedkiw, Spring 2010)
-
CS 448B - Data Visualization (Heer, Autumn 2010)
-
CS 448E - Research Topics
(Koltun, Spring 2010)
CS 448G - Advanced Topics in Data Visualization (Heer, Spring 2011)
CS 448X - Math and Computer Science behind Special Effects (Fedkiw, Spring 2011)
Look here for images and animations from the CS 348C student projects
CS 468 - Topics in Geometric Algorithms
Advanced seminar covering different topics related to geometric computing.
Recent offerings: shape matching, proximity and nearest-neighbor problems,
visibility and motion planning, and collision detection. Readings from the
literature and a presentation or a project required.
This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.
- Units:
- 3
- Quarters (in 2012-2013):
- Spring
- Time and place:
- Mon/Wed 9:30 - 10:45, 380-381U
- Instructors:
- Adrian Butscher and Justin Solomon
- Televised?
- No
Current offering:
Past Offerings:
CS 478 - Computational Photography
(formerly CS 448A)
Sensing strategies and algorithmic techniques that extend traditional
digital photography, with a focus on mobile devices. Topics:
high-dynamic-range imaging; coded aperture and exposure; panoramic
stitching; light-field imaging; image stabilization, processing and
enhancement; programmable cameras. Lectures, readings, and project.
- Units:
- 3-4
- Prerequisites:
-
An introductory course in graphics or vision, or CS 178, good programming skills
- Quarter (in 2011-2012):
- Winter
- Time:
- Mon/Wed 2:30-3:45pm in Gates 392
- Instructors:
- Jongmin Baek, David Jacobs, Kari Pulli
- Televised?
- No
- Next offering:
- Spring 2014
Past offerings:
CS 448I - Computational Imaging and Display
Computational imaging systems have a wide range of applications in consumer electronics, scientific imaging, HCI, medical imaging, microscopy, and remote sensing. We discuss light fields, time-of-flight cameras, multispectral imaging, thermal IR, computational microscopy, compressive imaging, computed tomography, computational light transport, compressive displays, phase space, and other topics at the convergence of applied mathematics, optics, and high-performance computing related to imaging. Hands-on assignments.
- Units:
- 3
- Prerequisites:
- basic signal processing (EE 261 or equivalent) and linear systems/algebra (EE 263 or equivalent)
- Quarter (in 2015):
- Winter
- Time and place:
- Tue/Thu 12:35-2:05, HERRINT195 (Herrin Hall Biology)
- Instructor:
- Gordon Wetzstein
- Televised?
- No
- Current offering:
CS 528 - AI/Graphics/Geometry/Vision/Robotics Seminar
This colloquium began as a joint offering between
what was known as the the Stanford Geometry, Graphics, Robotics, and Vision
Seminar (GGRV) and the AI, Vision, and Robotics Colloquium (AIRV). We've consolidated
the two seminars. Students can also take this seminar as a course, CS 528.
This colloquium is intended to bring established and senior researchers from
the fields of AI, geometry, graphics, robotics, and vision together to discuss
and explain broad considerations and high-level tasks that the relevant communities
are addressing. The talks are intended to create awareness and interest for
all of the members of these communities, hopefully bridging the gaps and creating
collaborations. All are invited.
- Units:
- 1
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Quarters (in 2011-2012):
- (not offered)
Past offerings:
- Autumn/Winter/Spring, 1997-8
- Autumn/Winter/Spring,
1998-2009
- Autumn/Winter/Spring,
1999-2000
- Autumn/Winter/Spring,
2000-2001
-
Autumn/Winter/Spring, 2001-2002
-
Autumn/Winter/Spring, 2002-2003
-
Autumn/Winter/Spring, 2003-2004
- Autumn/Winter/Spring,
2004-2005
- Autumn/Winter/Spring,
2005-2006
- Autumn/Winter/Spring,
2006-2007
Last update:
April 23, 2021 12:20:10 AM
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