Image and Video Processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a Stop at the Hospital from Coursera

In this course, you will learn the science behind how digital images and video are made, altered, stored, and used. We will look at the vast world of digital imaging, from how computers and digital cameras form images to how digital special effects are used in Hollywood movies to how the Mars Rover was able to send photographs across millions of miles of space.

The course starts by looking at how the human visual system works and then teaches you about the engineering, mathematics, and computer science that makes digital images work. You will learn the basic algorithms used for adjusting images, explore JPEG and MPEG standards for encoding and compressing video images, and go on to learn about image segmentation, noise removal and filtering. Finally, we will end with image processing techniques used in medicine.

This course consists of 7 basic modules and 2 bonus (non-graded) modules. There are optional MATLAB exercises; learners will have access to MATLAB Online for the course duration. Each module is independent, so you can follow your interests.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to image and video processing

Learn what is image and video processing. Learn the very basic concepts of human perception needed for understanding image processing. Learn simple tools in signal processing needed to understand following units.

Image and video compression

JPEG and MPEG are the most successful algorithms in the area, widely used by everybody in a daily basis, and the goal of this unit is to understand how they work. Also to understand why these techniques are important and why they are enabling technologies. Also will describe what is done in the Mars expedition.

Spatial processing

Some of the most basic tools in image processing, like median filtering and histogram equalization, are still among the most powerful. We will describe these and provide a modern interpretation of these basic tools. Students will then become familiar with simple and still popular approaches. We will also include non-local means, a more modern technique that still uses classical tools.

Image restoration

The goal of this unit is to complement Unit 3 by adding prior information about the sources of degradation. Students will learn that if we know about the degradation process, we can do better. The objective of this unit is to complete the training with basic and powerful classical tools.

Image segmentation

Not all parts of the image are the same, and students will learn the basic techniques to partition an image, from simple threshold to more advanced graph cuts and active contours. This is the first unit where student will learn about image analysis and image interpretation, and will learn why this is important, e.g., in medical imaging and object recognition.

Geometric PDEs

This is all optional material. It will help the students that are more mathematically oriented and want to better understand the math behind next unit's lectures. But you will be able to handle without it.The quiz is therefore practice only.This is the first “advanced” unit and smoothly follows from the previous one. Students will learn very modern tools, widely used today, and will contrast with units 3,4 to illustrate how significantly more advanced mathematical tools are also very useful in image and video analysis. We will connect some of these advanced tools with classical ones, e.g., average with heat flow and median with anisotropic diffusion. This will help to provide unified views to the students.

Image and video inpainting

Students will get involved with a very exciting topic, since image and video inpainting is one of the most used tools in the movie industry. They will learn the problem, and also how they can approach it from multiple directions. This will also help to illustrate how the same problem can be approached from multiple mathematical angles. We will connect this with Shanon’s work providing yet another angle. If you watched the lectures on PDEs you will have more mathematical background, but you will enjoy this unit and learn without it as well.

Sparse modeling and compressed sensing

Here the goal is to present one of the most modern tools in image and video processing, and students will learn something that is today at the top of active research. This will also help to illustrate the use of linear algebra and optimization in image and video processing. This is the last formal unit of the course.

Medical imaging

This is a bonus unit. Enjoy it. Image processing has been very successful in medical imaging, and we will use examples from HIV and brain research to illustrate the importance of image processing in solving societal problems. We will describe the basic tools in these exciting applications, from the acquisition to the analysis.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches essential concepts of digital imaging used across industries

Instructed by Guillermo Sapiro, a leading researcher in image processing

Offers optional MATLAB exercises with access to MATLAB Online

Covers diverse applications, including medicine and Hollywood special effects

May require basic knowledge of signal processing and human perception

Optional modules on geometric PDEs and advanced image processing techniques

Reviews summary

Vividly illustrated image processing

According to students, this course, Image and Video Processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a Stop at the Hospital, is largely positive. Learners say the course is very informative and visually stimulating due to the use of engaging assignments and excellent video presentations. The course is well paced, covers a wide range of topics, and is well structured. However, it is highly theoretical and some learners would appreciate more practice and more programming examples and a little more real-life application.

Visually stimulating and engaging with well-thought-out examples.

"I found the lectures well organized and the examples used well thought out."

"Explanations were really hard for me to catch, so much hard and huge topics were discussed in a comparably short time. But resources and tests were rich."

"Great course! Really Comprehensive!"

"Exceptional Course. Very informative."

Organized with a good flow, despite being lengthy.

"This is a very much detailed course on image and video processing."

"A very comprehensive course, with a lot of aspects of image and video processing, covered."

"This Course is so good which taught me lots of basic concepts about the image and video processing."

"I learnt a lot of new information about image and techniques to do modifications and manipulation to them."

Covers the basics and contains detailed information for more advanced learners.

"Learned image processing in a systematic way. Thank you coursera. "

"This course is so good which taught me lots of basic concepts about the image and video processing."

"I've always been interested in image processing and this course is my first important specialised introduction to this amazing field."

"If you want to know the actual math behind all the image processing tool , then this is a perfect course for you."

Lacks practical applications and programming exercises.

"The only issue is that there are not many examples on building these tools, especially in the later modules."

"The lectures are quite good. But there is not applications of what we learn. Not useful in real life"

"This course is very difficult to follow. Problems are not solved and no background material. Sorry"

"This fantastic course focuses on the technical and theoretical parts of computer vision."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Image and Video Processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a Stop at the Hospital with these activities:

Review Basic Physics

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Refresh your understanding of basic physics concepts to strengthen your foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Physics

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Review textbook chapters on basic physics concepts such as kinematics, dynamics, and optics.
Solve practice problems and review online resources to reinforce your understanding.

Follow Tutorials on Image Processing Algorithms

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Enhance your understanding of image processing techniques through guided tutorials.

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Identify online tutorials covering image processing algorithms such as JPEG, MPEG, and image restoration.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, implementing the algorithms in a programming environment.

Collaborate on Image Analysis Projects

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Gain diverse perspectives and improve your image analysis skills through peer collaboration.

Browse courses on Image Analysis

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Join or form a study group with classmates.
Select an image analysis project to work on together.
Share ideas, discuss approaches, and provide feedback to each other.

One other activity

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Show all four activities

Solve Practice Problems on Image Segmentation

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Develop your problem-solving skills and reinforce your understanding of image segmentation techniques.

Browse courses on Image Segmentation

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Collect a set of practice problems and examples related to image segmentation.
Attempt to solve the problems using various image segmentation algorithms.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Image and Video Processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a Stop at the Hospital will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Imaging Scientist

An Imaging Scientist designs and develops imaging systems and applications for use in various fields, including medicine, manufacturing, and entertainment. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which is essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as image compression, spatial processing, image restoration, image segmentation, and image analysis, all of which are critical for developing and optimizing imaging systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Imaging Scientist

Medical Physicist

A Medical Physicist applies physics principles to the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which is essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as medical imaging, image segmentation, and image analysis, all of which are critical for developing and optimizing medical imaging systems and applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Physicist

Computer Vision Engineer

A Computer Vision Engineer designs and develops computer systems that can analyze and interpret images and videos. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which is essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as image compression, spatial processing, image restoration, image segmentation, and image analysis, all of which are critical for developing and optimizing computer vision systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Vision Engineer

Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer designs and develops robots that can perform a variety of tasks, including object manipulation, navigation, and perception. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which is essential for success in this role. The course covers topics such as image compression, spatial processing, image restoration, image segmentation, and image analysis, all of which are critical for developing and optimizing robotic systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes and interprets data to extract meaningful insights. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of data science tasks, such as image recognition, object detection, and medical imaging analysis.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of software development tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer designs and develops electrical systems and devices. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of electrical engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

A Mechanical Engineer designs and develops mechanical systems and devices. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of mechanical engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Biomedical Engineer

A Biomedical Engineer designs and develops medical devices and systems. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of biomedical engineering tasks, such as medical imaging, image processing, and computer vision.

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Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer designs and develops complex systems. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of systems engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

An Aerospace Engineer designs and develops aircraft and spacecraft. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of aerospace engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

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Chemical Engineer

A Chemical Engineer designs and develops chemical processes and products. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of chemical engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Civil Engineer

A Civil Engineer designs and develops civil infrastructure. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of civil engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer designs and develops environmental systems and processes. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of environmental engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Industrial Engineer

An Industrial Engineer designs and develops industrial processes and systems. This course provides a strong foundation in the principles of image and video processing, which can be applied to a variety of industrial engineering tasks, such as image processing, computer vision, and medical imaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer