PhD/MPhil: Visual Computing
An example of a nonphotorealistic rendering technique (right hand side) applied to produce artistic effects.
Studying for a PhD or MPhil in the field of visual computing often involves interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent projects have involved Optometry (eye segmentation), Dentistry (3D facial model and facial dynamics), Psychology (Facial Muscle segmentation, perception of facial expressions) and Engineering (Motion Capture).
The School supports this work with a substantial investment in infrastructure which includes:
Human Factors Technology Laboratory that features real-time 3D video capture and motion capture systems.
Solid modelling Laboratory that includes 3D laser scanners and 3D display.
Visual Computing Laboratory houses a range of image capture and processing systems and haptic devices.
"Whenever I had doubts, I always found people to talk to – staff and fellow students - and I always received timely support from the School.."
Lanthao Benedikt's PhD was entitled "Using 3D facial Motion for Biometric Identification." She now works for the UK's Office for National Statistics developing distributed systems that allows authorised users to access information stored in secure databases.
About Joining Us...
School Admission FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).
Read more about our research in the field of Visual Computing
Applying to Study for PhD/MPhil
The projects listed here are possible research topics and/or areas that we would like to investigate. They reflect our expertise and the success of our research efforts and represent directions that we wish to pursue. We welcome applications from prospective students who have similar interests.
Please use these example projects to help guide your application. You may amend them to incorporate your own interests, experiences and ideas and are encouraged to contact the supervising member of research staff to discuss the topic.
Each year the School provides a small number of studentships (at the UK/EU rate) that are awarded to oustanding students to support their research. In addition we host a significant number of sponsored and self-funded students. Some advice on obtaining funding is available on the main University site.
For all postgraduate research admissions questions please contact comsc-pgresearch@cs.cardiff.ac.uk
Current funding opportunities
Funding opportunities for postgraduate research in the School are listed here as they become available. Typically funding covers full tuition fees and includes a tax-free stipend, but this may vary based on the nationality of the applicant.
PhD Scholarship in Computer Science & Informatics, 2013
For exceptional students who have obtained partial funding (towards tuition fees or subsistence) from other sources, have a relevant research proposal and meet our entrance requirements, we will endeavour to help secure the remaining funding necessary for your study, and welcome such applications at any time. Please email comsc-pgresearch@cs.cardiff.ac.uk in these cases.
Available PhD Projects: Visual Computing
- 3D Model Segmentation and Analysis
- 3D shape retrieval
- Audio and Video Behaviour Transfer Between Computer Animated Faces
- Automatic Bas-relief Generation
- Computer-Assisted Exploration and Model Building for Multi-Variate, High-Dimensional Data Sets
- Detecting deceit in humans from facial expression analysis
- Digital Image Forgery Detection
- Image and Video Vectorisation
- Learning rules for cellular automata
- Learning What Words Mean from Images
- Lightfield Rendering
- Modelling and Transferring Geometric Details over 3D Shapes
- Modelling Quantum Devices from Experimental Data
- Non-photorealistic rendering
- Plug 'n' Display
- Reconstructing Shapes from Bas Reliefs
- Regularity-based Editing of Point Models
- Robust Iris Recognition System
- Simulation and management of surgical intervention for craniofacial surgery
- Strain Energy for Registration of Deforming Objects