15-769 Special Topics in Graphics: Numerical Method (Foundations, ML, Visual Computing)

12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Many problems in machine learning, visual computing, robotics, and mechanics lack exact analytical solutions. Numerical computing provides powerful techniques to approximate these solutions using computational methods, combining applied math and programming to solve real-world problems such as simulation, optimization, and data analysis. The course begins with a review on calculus and linear algebra, followed by an introduction to how numbers are represented on computers and error analysis. It then moves on to core topics, including matrix factorization, solving linear and nonlinear systems, optimization, and numerical solution of differential equations. Students will gain hands-on experience developing numerical algorithms and learn to balance accuracy, stability, and efficiency in problem-specific contexts, such as image processing, physics-based animation, motion planning and control, structural analysis, etc.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025

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