COMP 585
Visual Computing Systems
Fall 2025
COMP 585
COMP 585
Course Description
This course explores the design and implementation of modern visual computing systems, covering the full spectrum from hardware architectures to software frameworks and applications in graphics, computer vision, and AR/VR. Students will learn about system-level considerations for building efficient and scalable visual computing platforms.
The course covers system architectures for visual computing, real-time rendering pipelines, computational photography systems, display technologies, sensor integration, and the application of AI in visual systems. Emphasis is placed on hands-on projects and understanding the complete pipeline from data acquisition to visual output, including performance optimization and real-world deployment considerations.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- •Design and analyze architectures for visual computing systems
- •Implement real-time graphics and vision algorithms
- •Optimize systems for performance and energy efficiency
- •Integrate multiple modalities (graphics, vision, AR/VR) in unified systems
Instructor
Praneeth Chakravarthula
Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Science
Email: cpk@cs.unc.edu
Course Logistics
Meeting Times
Lectures: Mondays & Wednesdays 3:30-4:45pm
Location: Sitterson Hall 011
Office Hours: Thursdays 2:00-3:00pm (Sitterson 205)
Course Communication
Course Site: Canvas
Discussions: Ed Discussion
Code Repository: GitHub Classroom
Course Materials
Textbooks & References
- Primary: Hennessy & Patterson, “Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach” (6th Ed.)
- Reference: Real-Time Rendering (4th Ed.) by Akenine-Möller et al.
- Reference: Selected papers on visual computing systems (provided on Canvas)
Software & Development Environment
Course projects will use:
- C++/CUDA for high-performance computing
- OpenGL/Vulkan for graphics programming
- Python for prototyping and analysis
- Unity/Unreal for AR/VR development
Coursework
Grade Distribution
Programming Projects (35%)
Three major programming projects focusing on different aspects of visual computing systems: real-time rendering pipeline, computer vision system, and AR/VR application development.
Project Topics
- • Project 1: GPU-accelerated image processing pipeline
- • Project 2: Real-time object detection and tracking system
- • Project 3: AR application with spatial mapping
Final Project (35%)
Students will design and implement a comprehensive visual computing system that integrates multiple course concepts. Projects can focus on novel applications, performance optimizations, or system architectures. Teams of 2-4 students are encouraged.
Late Policy
Projects: 15% penalty per day late, maximum 3 days. Final project proposal cannot be late. Each student has one 72-hour extension period for the semester.
Schedule & Topics
| Week | Date | Topic | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 25 | Introduction to Visual Computing Systems | - |
| 2 | Sep 1 | Graphics Pipelines & GPU Architecture | P1 Out |
| 3 | Sep 8 | Real-time Rendering Techniques | - |
| 4 | Sep 15 | Computer Vision System Architecture | P1 Due, P2 Out |
| 5 | Sep 22 | Sensor Integration & Data Acquisition | - |
| 6 | Sep 29 | Display Technologies & AR/VR Systems | P2 Due, P3 Out |
| 7 | Oct 6 | AI Integration in Visual Systems | Final Project Proposal |
| 8 | Oct 13 | Midterm Exam | P3 Due |
* Schedule subject to change. Updated schedule will be posted on Canvas.
Additional Information
Prerequisites
- Required: COMP 411 (Computer Organization), COMP 410 (Data Structures)
- Recommended: COMP 575 (Computer Vision), COMP 770 (Computer Graphics)
- Programming: Proficiency in C/C++, familiarity with GPU programming helpful
Hardware Requirements
Students will have access to lab machines with dedicated GPUs. Personal laptops should have:
- • Dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA GTX 1060 or better recommended)
- • 8+ GB RAM
- • Support for OpenGL 4.5+ or Vulkan
Related Courses
- • COMP 575: Computer Vision
- • COMP 770: Computer Graphics
- • COMP 590: Computational Imaging
- • COMP 560: Computer Networks
Industry Connections
The course includes guest lectures from industry professionals at companies like NVIDIA, Meta Reality Labs, Apple, and Microsoft HoloLens teams. Students will gain insights into real-world visual computing system challenges and career opportunities.