Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 469 D100

Special Topics in Computer Graphics (3)

Rendering and VC for AI

Class Number: 5484

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 361 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Current topics in computer graphics depending on faculty and student interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course covers advanced topics in computer graphics with a focus on rendering, and computer graphics for emerging applications in virtual/augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Topics include: photorealistic rendering; advanced ray tracing; light fields and volume rendering; differentiable and inverse rendering; neural rendering; level-of-detail algorithms and scene representation; and high-performance architectures for visual computing systems. The course ends with an open-ended group project where students choose a research paper and implement the techniques it describes.

Topics

  • 3D representation foundations: meshes, implicits, volumes, lightfields, pointclouds, multiview
  • Modeling 3D shapes and 3D scenes: hierarchical representations, scene graphs, level-of-detail
  • Volume rendering and advanced ray tracing
  • Neural architectures for rendering: implicit representations and neural radiance fields (NeRFs)
  • Differentiable and inverse rendering
  • Shape reconstruction and synthesis
  • High-performance graphics for artificial intelligence and virtual/augmented reality applications

Required Background

  • Introduction to Visual Computing (CMPT 361 or equivalent)
  • Introduction to Machine Learning (CMPT 410 or equivalent)

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Goals

  • Understand the fundamentals of advanced rendering algorithms and their use in domains such as augmented/virtual reality, machine learning, and artificial intelligence
  • Experience reading, summarising, and critiquing research papers on rendering and visual computing for AI
  • Practice synthesising ideas from papers and connecting to own research
  • Expand in-depth knowledge of rendering or image generation through a self-selected course project

Grading

NOTES:

Grading is based on several activities including: paper reading, writing assignments, in-class discussions and quizzes, participation in class sessions, and several assignments on a self-selected course project. More details and grading weights will be announced in the first week of class.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.