Visual computing

The following modules should be completed as a basis for advanced modules, if they (or equivalent modules) have not been completed in a previous bachelor’s programme:

• Data visualization: Basic concepts
• Computer graphics: Conventional and neural methods

Additionally, other basic modules fit to this specialization and we recommend completing some of them, if they (or equivalent modules) have not been completed in a previous bachelor’s programme. The recommended basic modules include:

• Immersive analytics with applications in the life sciences
• Deep learning for computer vision
• Applications for Powerwall and virtual reality environments
• Multimedia retrieval: Basic concepts
• Document analysis: Computational methods
• Illustrative computer graphics
• Graphical methods for games, visualization, film
• Interactive systems
• Virtual and augmented reality
• Image analysis I: Image processing
• Image analysis II: 3D and motion reconstruction
• Interaction in mixed reality: Basic concepts
• Network visualisation
• Virtual archaeology (taught in German)
• Agile UX design

Please see ZEuS for more details and the courses that are offered in the current or upcoming semester.

As the exam regulations specify, you need to complete at least three advanced modules in one area to be able to have a specification stated on your examination certificate. For the specialization in “Visual Computing”, a range of advanced modules are offered. These include:

• Data visualization: Advanced topics
• Applied visual analytics
• Global illumination methods
• Experiments in human-computer interaction
• Future challenges and trends in HCI

Please see ZEuS for more details and the offers of the current or upcoming semester.

The following seminars fit to the specialization "Visual Computing":

• Seminar Image Analysis and Computer Vision
• Seminar Computer Graphics
• Seminar Data Analysis and Visualization
• Seminar Life Science Informatics
• Seminar Human-Computer Interaction

Please see ZEuS for more details and the courses that are offered in the current or upcoming semester.

The following projects fit to the specialization "Visual Computing":

• Master's project Computer Vision and Image Analysis
• Master's project Visual Exploration of Large Data
• Master's project Information Visualization and Virtual Reality Environments
• Master's project Interactive Computer Graphics
• Master's project Life Science Informatics
• Master's project Human-Computer Interaction
• Master's project Multimedia Signal Processing

The research groups involved in the specialization "Visual computing" are involved in many interdisciplinary projects such as, e.g., the Excellence Cluster "Collective Behaviour" or the Transregional Collaborative Research Center "Quantitative Methods for Visual Computing". 

The following courses from other departments may offer you an insight into the fields of these interdisciplinary cooperations:

• from the Department of Biologie, e.g., Evolution, behaviour (Evolution, Verhalten, taught in German)
• Computational chemistry (taught in German)
• from the Department of Linguistics, e.g., Structure and history of English, Finite state morphology, Grammar development
• Introduction to art history I (Einführung in die Kunstwissenschaft I, taught in German)

For further suitable courses from other departments and key qualifications, see the general list provided by the department or contact your mentor.

• Your are familiar with the basics of digital signal processing, computer vision, and image analysis, can process and enhance images and videos, and interpret them to gain information and build models of the environment.
• You are familiar with the algorithms of visual computing, especially data visualization, graph drawing and computer graphics, and are able to select appropriate methods.
• You have the ability to program complex interactive graphics and vision applications for different hardware platforms.
• You are able to create appropriate visual encodings for various data types and to combine them with interaction techniques.
• You know how to select the right abstraction techniques and levels of detail.
• You can analyse huge amounts of data and extract useful information from images and videos.
• You are able to build individual and efficient graphical systems far beyond the average run-of-the mill system.
• You know how to design systems with appropriate colour and form parameters, know perceptual basics and are thus able to use graphical elements in a user-friendly way.
• You understand how to handle and process complex data and apply appropriate data mining techniques.
• You are able to combine visualization techniques with automatic data mining to understand and analyze large data sets.

We have contacts to Siemens with which you could possibly do an internship with.

For further contacts, please contact the research groups below.

• a lab researcher or developer at leading companies specializing in data preparation and visualization (e.g. AT&T, HP, Microsoft, Google).
• a designer at a major software company (e.g. SAP) where you develop interactive software systems, internet platforms or portals that enable access to complex information spaces (e.g. WWW, digital libraries, product databases, financial databases).
• a developer in a film, simulation or computer games company.
• an implementor of computer vision technologies in a large variety of industrial applications, for example robotics, driver assistance systems, automatic visual inspection and quality control or medical imaging.
• a financial services provider (e.g. UBS, Raiffeisen Bank, Deutsche Bank) developing interactive visualization tools to analyze customer and financial data.
• in a library service center where you develop portals for the supply of academic literature for major libraries and specialist information centers which provide new search and evaluation options due to the application of visual research tools.
• a developer of visual data analysis techniques for the evaluation of large quantities of data at pharmaceutical companies or for marketing applications in the area of customer support services.