Unit outline_

COMP3419: Graphics and Multimedia

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides a broad introduction to the field of graphics and multimedia computing to meet the diverse requirements of application areas such as entertainment, industrial design, virtual reality, intelligent media management, social media and remote sensing. It covers both the underpinning theories and the practices of computing and manipulating digital media including graphics / image, audio, animation, and video. Emphasis is placed on principles and cutting-edge techniques for multimedia data processing, content analysis, media retouching, media coding and compression.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Computer Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
COMP2123 or COMP2823 or INFO1105 or INFO1905
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Programming skills

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Weidong Cai, tom.cai@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Written exam
? 
Final exam
Restricted open book exam
60% Formal exam period 2 hours AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative work Assignment-1a
multimedia computing 1a
8% Week 08
Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59
n/a AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative work Assignment-1b
multimedia computing 1b
8% Week 11
Due date: 26 Oct 2025 at 23:59
n/a AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Creative work Assignment-2
graphics and multimedia applications
16% Week 13
Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59
n/a AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Practical skill Lab checkpoints
take-home exercise submission based on specified lab exercise content
8% Weekly n/a AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Lab checkpoints: weekly lab exercise submission;

Assignment-1a&-1b: multimedia computing;

Assignment-2: graphics and multimedia applications;

Final exam: restricted open book exam.

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

It is a policy of the School of Computer Science that in order to pass this unit, a student must achieve at least 40% in the written examination. For subjects without a final exam, the 40% minimum requirement applies to the corresponding major assessment component specified by the lecturer. A student must also achieve an overall final mark of 50 or more. Any student not meeting these requirements may be given a maximum final mark of no more than 45 regardless of their average.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction / Image data representation and enhancement Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 Morphological image processing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Color models & color image processing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Video data representation and processing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Audio data representation and coding Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 2D & 3D computer graphics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Computer animation and multimedia authoring Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Image data analysis and retrieval Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Advanced visual content analysis Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Video data analysis and retrieval Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Computing Lab with LCP Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Image coding and compression Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Computing Lab (assignment help session) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Video coding and compression Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Computing Lab (assignment help session) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Advanced multimedia computing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Computing Lab (assignment help session) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Tutorials: Students are expected to attend all scheduled on-campus tutorials.
  • Independent Study: Students are expected to undertake prescribed reading and practical work, besides understanding lecutre contents. 6 hours of independent study per week is expected.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply multimedia data processing and analysis techniques to real world applications
  • LO2. understand data representation and enhancement for different multimedia building blocks
  • LO3. understand various multimedia data coding and retrieval techniques
  • LO4. obtain practical skills in graphics / image, audio, and video processing and analysis.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.