A PhD in Visual Computing and Interactive Media is set to launch in the upcoming fall term, enhancing the existing programs in Visualization. This is the inaugural doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree being offered by Texas A&M’s College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts.
According to Don House, interim program head for the degree and senior faculty member, visual computing and interactive media are vital components of daily existence. He gave the example of smartphones, stating that the applications within operate on programs utilizing the science and technology of visual computing, with the device itself serving as a type of interactive media.
“This has real implications and impacts our everyday lives,” he remarked. “The Ph.D. curriculum will focus on strategies to enhance the science and technology that elevate the functionality of devices like phones and computers—aiming for more spectacular outcomes.”
Tim McLaughlin, dean of the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, indicated that the program represents another opportunity for the college and Texas A&M to help shape the realm of visual computing and interactive media and facilitate the transfer and application of new technologies to industries and the arts in the state.
“The array of resources available in the college, combined with the timely introduction of this degree relative to the rapid proliferation of visual computing, machine learning, and interactive technologies, provides an optimal environment for the success of its graduates,” he stated.
The degree is a long-standing passion for House, who came to Texas A&M in 1992 as the director of Visualization programs, when Visualization was part of the College of Architecture. House, with a background in computer science, concentrated on developing the curriculum for the Master of Science in Visualization Sciences.
In 2007, House contributed to establishing the lab as a department led by McLaughlin, facilitating the creation of a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree alongside the original Master of Science in Visualization Sciences.
The next year, House moved to Clemson University, where he helped craft its M.F.A. curriculum in Digital Production Arts. After retiring in 2017, he returned to Texas A&M in 2021 on a part-time basis. When the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts was formed in 2022, McLaughlin—now the dean of the new college—tasked House with developing the Ph.D. initiative.
House emphasized that his dedicated focus on the degree proposal and its advancement was crucial in bringing it to fruition, as was the establishment of a robust, technology-focused core faculty—comprising 11 Ph.D. faculty members—to support the program.
“Dr. House is a trailblazer in computer graphics,” said McLaughlin. “His insight encompasses not only the computer science elements of the curriculum but also the interconnection between science and the human experience through visual art, design, and interaction design. He perceives these domains as inextricably linked for the future of visual computing, which was vital for the program’s objectives.”
House recalled that conversations regarding this degree date back to 2008 among the Visualization faculty. After a lengthy 17-year journey, it has now materialized.
“It feels like an immense relief,” House expressed. “It’s incredibly thrilling.”
Focus Areas
Candidates accepted into the program are expected to be prepared for advanced academic pursuits and original research, according to House. They should possess a multidisciplinary foundation encompassing both arts and sciences, and be proficient in computer science and mathematics.
Prominent subjects of study include shape modeling; image assessment and creation; computer graphics; game design and development; digital replicas; virtual and augmented reality; and interaction between humans and robots.
The influence of artificial intelligence and its integration with visual data will be pivotal within the program, House noted. The use of AI is transforming everyday technology and major sectors—including healthcare and aerospace—and driving innovations in data visualization, animation, robotics, and human-computer engagement, he added.
As an illustration, House mentioned machine vision—the use of computers to interpret visual content. He highlighted the contributions of Suryansh Kumar, an assistant professor in visual computing and computational media, where images are utilized to form 3D models.
“Imagine you’re photographing a statue from one, two, or three different perspectives,” House explained. “His work enables you to take those photos and transform them into a three-dimensional representation of that statue. Consequently, you could view that statue from any angle within the computer, soaring above it or observing from underneath, as though it genuinely existed in a three-dimensional realm.”
Curriculum And Research
In the initial semester, students will participate in two mandatory courses: Introduction to Deep Learning for Visual Computing and Interactive Media and Introduction to Research in Visual Computing and Interactive Media.
These courses establish a foundation in field-specific techniques and outline the research focus of the degree, according to House. Students will have the opportunity to meet all the program’s core faculty members, who will explain their research and the methodologies they utilize. The final project in the research course involves crafting a mock research paper, ensuring each student comprehends the entirety of the process involved in paper writing with the intent of publication.
Five required electives will feature at least two courses in computer graphics and data visualization, as well as one in visual arts and aesthetics; motion and animation; and interaction and gaming.
“We view this program as highly interdisciplinary,” House affirmed. “Students should at least be familiar with all the domains that influence the field, and we deemed this a suitable representation. We aimed to ensure they have exposure to each critical area, with heightened emphasis on the technical aspects. They will require these technical proficiencies to advance the field and achieve breakthroughs.”
Research is the leading requisite for the degree with a minimum of three credits each semester, and an anticipated rise to six during the summer, according to House. This structure is designed to guide students towards not merely being practitioners but actively pushing the boundaries of innovation in their field.
“These scholars will evolve into the innovators propelling the field forward, and research is the pathway to achieving that,” he stated. “You are building expertise to the extent that you can effectively contribute to the discipline.
“Our students will submit research articles based on their endeavors, yet I believe most will also be innovators. They will fundamentally create new tools and techniques, becoming implementers alongside their theoretical foundations.”
‘Noteworthy’
A significant number of graduates from this program are anticipated to pursue academic careers, noted House. He estimates that a majority will take on roles as research scientists in visual computing.
“All the major firms—NVIDIA, Google, Meta, Amazon—are heavily inclined toward technical expertise and operate substantial research laboratories,” he explained. “They are consistently on the lookout for talented individuals.”
The curriculum will stand out as one of the few globally offering such a comprehensive foundation across areas related to visual computing, House remarked.
“Typically, individuals entering this realm obtain a degree in Computer Science but must acquire additional expertise independently,” he said. “The non-computer science components are integral to our program, rather than being supplemental knowledge students need to gather externally. Thus, I would characterize it as a distinctive program addressing a unique demand.”
House refers to it as a “gem in the college’s crown.”
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