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Graduate Diploma in Visual Computing

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Visual Computing provides students with practical skills in deep learning, computer vision, image processing, and graphics. Graduates gain hands-on experience in analyzing visual data, building intelligent visual systems, and developing interactive or visually driven applications. This program prepares students for roles such as computer vision developers, imaging specialists, visualization engineers, and graphics programmers who can design and implement visual solutions to support industries including technology, healthcare, entertainment, and advanced manufacturing.

Curriculum

  • 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 computing on specialized data and applications, e.g., medical, simulation, and robotics, etc.
  • Geometric modeling, 3D shape representation, and generation.
  • Generative A, e.g., diffusion models, generative adversarial networks, and variational autoencoders.
  • Object detection, image classification, pose estimation, image-to-image translation, and many more recent topics related to deep learning and visual computing.

Program Highlights

  • Part-time
  • Industry-Aligned Curriculum
  • Hands-on technical training
  • Pathway to master’s
  • Tuition: $1,300 per unit

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Please note that due to current capacity limitations, the Graduate Diploma programs are open only to domestic applicants (Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents).

Admission Requirements

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.

To qualify, students must satisfy the admission requirements laid out here as well as the University's admission requirements for a graduate diploma program, as stated in SFU Graduate Regulation 1.3.5.

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 2.5/4.33 or the equivalent. Alternatively, a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.33 on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses will also meet the GPA requirements for admission to the program.

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.

Other Program Options

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

The Graduate Diploma program requires students to complete a minimum of 22 units of graduate work. These units are divided as follows:

  • 12 credits of specialized lab work
  • a minimum of 9 credits of graduate coursework
  • 1 credit of portfolio course

To view detailed program requirements, please click the button below.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

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