Note to new and prospective students

Graduate students
Undergraduate students

If this page does not answer your questions - send me email
last modified 07/11/2008 - Professor Dmitry Goldgof 

Graduate students

• If you are a new graduate student interested in image processing and computer vision as thesis or dissertation topic (assuming you are starting your graduate studies in the Fall)
• take CAP5400 - Digital Image Processing (during the Fall semester; it will be offered Fall 2008)

• attend Vision Seminar which is usually on Friday at 3pm in room ENB 313. Email Dr. Goldgof or Dr. Sarkar to be placed on mailing list  for seminar dates and topics.

• find a research advisor - talk to me, Dr. Sarkar or Dr. Kasturi- all faculty associated with Computer Vision Laboratory (by the end of Fall semester). You can also check with Professor Hall and Professor Perez working in AI.
• Once you have found an advisor, you will decide (together with your advisor) on possible MS thesis or PhD dissertation topic.
• take CAP 6415 - Computer Vision (during the Spring Semester). Usually you should take it after CAP5400 or contact the instructor.
• There are many students in Computer Vision area working with TA or RA support (there are also many working elsewhere). However, we recommend you take CAP5400 - Digital Image Processing before you ask for RA support (earlier - if you entering the graduate program with background in image processing/vision). This course will introduce you to the basics of image processing and help you decide if you want to do research in the area.
• In the second year you may be able to take Pattern Recognition or Special Topics Computer Vision courses (those courses are offered irregularly). Other related courses include Artificial Intelligence, Neural Networks, Data Mining, Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Graphics, etc.
• If you are a graduate student interested in image processing and computer vision applications (not as thesis or dissertation topic, from any department)
• take CAP5400 - Digital Image Processing (during the Fall semester), then
• take CAP6410 - Computer Vision (during the Spring semester). Usually you should take it after CAP5400 or contact the instructor.
• If you are applying to the department for graduate study in image processing and computer vision, first contact CS&E Department for admission as well as financial aid (TA) information.
• High GPA and GRE are required for both RA and TA positions. Our new (minimum) admission requirements are GRE: 1200(V+Q), 500(V), GPA 3.2. Of course, it is higher for TA/RA, I suggest at least 1300(V+Q) on GRE.
• Additional points which can help with TA position: Advanced knowledge of English, having English as native language, having US undergraduate degree. For foreign students I recommend taking TSE (Test of Spoken English), 55 (or more) is a good score.
• Doctoral students usually have a priority over Master students for both TA and RA positions.
• In Computer Vision area we often support students as TAs before awarding RAs. Faculty can recommend students for TA positions.
• It takes between 1.5 and 2 years to complete MS degree.
• It takes about 3 years to complete PhD degree after MS degree

Undergraduate students:

• If you are interested in image processing and computer vision you can take either
• CIS4930 - Intro to Image Processing (preferable if offered; usually in Spring, next planned for Spring 2009) or
• CAP5400 - Digital Image Processing (it will be offered Fall 2008).
• I recommend taking one of those courses as soon as you done with Data Structures so that you have a year or more to explore image processing further.
• In Computer Vision Laboratory we have many undergraduate students involved in research.
• CIS4930 - Introduction to Computational Geometry
• CIS4930 - Introduction to Computer Vision
• If you are a new USF undergraduate student with interests in image analysis
• Take Department Gate courses to enter the department
• Follow it up with EEL 4851 - Data Structures to be ready for all software classes (take it with Dr. Sarkar if possible).
• You can talk to me about Independent Study, Senior Project, Honor Project or REU position in Image Processing if you have some image processing related background, such as
• you have taken one of the courses above
• you have excellent programming skills in C
• (however, I may or may not have slots)