Program Features

Visual computing is an emerging field that combines computer graphics, computer vision and virtual reality to advance cutting-edge methodologies for the acquisition, processing, manipulation and rendering of visual content. This multidisciplinary program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and technological skills to understand and develop sophisticated problem solutions in innovative-driven industries such as entertainment, medicine, robotics, Computer Aided Design (CAD) or machine vision. The recent and spectacular advances in deep learning for computer vision widen the application range of visual computing to various sectors such as security and criminology, industrial production, automated evaluation of visual content in biology and physics, weather forecast and climate impact research.

The program covers a diverse range of topics in visual computing, including computer graphics and imaging, deep learning for computer vision, image analysis and processing, and virtual reality. Topics from different areas of mathematics, including geometric modeling and processing, advanced numerical methods for physically-based animation and simulation are covered to provide solid foundation for state-of-the-art applications of visual computing.

Course And Admission Requirements

Program Requirements

• Four-year bachelor's or masters' degree (or equivalent) in Computing (Computer Science / Software Engineering) or Engineering.
• Grades of at least B (or equivalent) in most Mathematics and Statistics courses.
• The admission process goes beyond meeting the minimum requirements. In particular, the list of courses, offered at KFUPM, which are equivalent to the required preparatory undergraduate instruction in calculus, linear algebra, and programming are required to be eligible for admission.

Admission Requirements

University Requirements:

• A Grade-Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.00.
• No GRE or GMAT is required.
• IELTS score of 6+ or TOEFL of 70+ (waived for KFUPM graduates and Graduates from English Speaking Countries)
• At least two letters of recommendation

Program Objectives and Student Outcomes

​University Mission

To make a difference within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond in the fields of sciences, engineering and business; we are committed to

• (UM1) Graduating leaders who are knowledgeable, skillful, and productive members of a vibrant society;
• (UM2) Creating new knowledge that makes a scholarly impact, provides innovative solutions, and contributes to a thriving national economy;
• (UM3) Engaging our society, alumni, and partners, in valuable endeavors to build an ambitious nation;

College Mission

The College of Computing and Mathematics is committed to

• (CM 1) Provide quality academic programs in sciences;
• (CM 2) Graduate talented scientists effectively contributing to the development of the Kingdom and beyond;
• (CM 3) Build scientific foundation needed for other programs;
• (CM 4) Conduct basic and applied quality research with due consideration to the Kingdom needs;
• (CM 5) Provide distinguished services, disseminate knowledge and enhance scientific awareness in the society;

Program Mission

• (PM 1) Prepare students from different disciplinary backgrounds for industrial technology careers in visual computing;
• (PM 2) Advance knowledge in computational and interactive solutions in innovative-driven industries requesting visual data processing;
• (PM 3) Leverage the acquired skills to prepare the society to the digital future.

Program Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the Professional Master’s Program in visual computing are for the graduates to:

• (PEO1) Attain employment in governmental or private sector, or engage in entrepreneurship;
• (PEO2) Advance their careers or identify new opportunities by demonstrating leadership and interpersonal skills;
• (PEO3) Pursue their professional development through self-learning

• (PEO 1) is aligned with (UM 1) and (UM 3) and (CM 1), (CM 2), and (CM 5).
• (PEO 2) is aligned with (UM 1) and (UM 3) and (CM 2) and (CM 5).
• (PEO 3) is aligned with all the university missions and (CM 1) (CM 2) and (CM 5).

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Master of Visual Computing will be able to:

• (SLO 1) Identify and explain basic steps in the acquisition, processing, manipulation and rendering of visual data.
• (SLO 2) Apply mathematical and computer science methodologies to analyze, solve and deploy applications in visual information processing.
• (SLO 3) Interpret and transmit computational and interactive methods, skills and ideas in visual computing to non-specialists.
• (SLO 4) Employ mathematical and computer science knowledge to professional practice in various industrial technology sectors.
• (SLO 5) Apply knowledge and skills ethically to demonstrate autonomy and expert judgement as a visual computing specialist.
• (SLO 6) Follow recent developments in the field of visual computing.

The above learning outcomes cover all three domains of learning, namely ‘Knowledge and Understanding’, ‘Skills’, and ‘Values’ as determined by the National Qualification Framework. SLO1 can be classified as ‘Knowledge and Understanding’, SLO2 and SLO 3 can be classified as ‘Skills’, and SLO4, SLO5, SLO6 can be classified as ‘Values’

Relationship to Vision 2030:*

The Master’s Program in Visual Computing will

1. Help grow and diversify the economy (Objective 3). Our graduates either by joining companies who are already a driving force in the field of visual data processing or by creating their own start-ups will strengthen Kingdom’s economy.
2. Increase Employment (Objective 4) by supplying skilled experts in various innovative-driven industries such as entertainment, medicine, robotics or machine vision.
3. Enhance Government Effectiveness (Objective 5). Our graduates can develop and deploy efficient decision support systems.

Degree Plan