CS 453: Computer Graphics — Course Preview (Fall 2026)

A quick look at what Computer Graphics (CS 453) is actually about — and what you walk away having built. Short version: this isn't a class about using Blender or Photoshop. It's the one where you write the code behind images like these — a ray tracer with real glass and metal, your own live shaders, and 3D scenes you can fly through in real time. All in Python (with GLSL for the GPU parts). The video also covers the usual questions: whether AI makes this pointless (short answer: no — it's actually the foundation under a lot of it), how much math is involved, and what you need to start. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:16 What this is NOT 0:30 What computer graphics actually is 1:18 But can't AI just do this? 4:52 What you'll build 5:16 The math (and why it finally clicks) 6:02 Why it's worth your slot 7:03 How to enroll