Course detail

Advanced Methods in Image Processing

FEKT-MPAN-AB2Acad. year: 2026/2027

The course Advanced Methods in Image Processing (MPAN-AB2) is designed as a follow-up to Analysis of Biomedical Images (MPA-ABO) and focuses on advanced methods in image processing and computer vision. The course is delivered through block seminars and practical exercises in the form of hackathons, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world tasks.

Seminars provide the theoretical framework, motivation, and an overview of existing methods, while selected advanced techniques are explored in depth through student presentations, accompanied by instructor commentary. The practical exercises are project-oriented, carried out in teams, and each topic represents a challenge where students compete to solve problems efficiently and creatively.

Throughout the course, students are introduced to the following areas: advanced methods for image denoising, image restoration and inverse problem solving, keypoint detection and local feature analysis, stereo and multiview processing, advanced image registration methods, object tracking and motion analysis, and advanced image segmentation.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

The following knowledge is required to enrol in this course:

  1. Signal processing and analysis – including the theory of analogue and digital signals, filtering, Fourier and wavelet transforms, and spectral analysis.
  2. Image processing and analysis of multidimensional signals – covering the theory of n-dimensional signals, image restoration techniques, segmentation methods, texture analysis, and image data reconstruction.
  3. Fundamentals of machine learning and statistical analysis – including linear classifiers, clustering methods, neural networks, support vector machines (SVM), principal component analysis (PCA), and probability theory.
  4. Mathematics at the level of a technical college – including derivatives, integrals, solving integrodifferential equations, and optimisation problems.
  5. Advanced programming experience – proficiency in Python and Git.

The main prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the preceding course, MPA-ABO (Analysis of Biomedical Images), as MPAN-AB2 builds directly upon the material covered in MPA-ABO.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course is delivered in a block format over 7 weeks, consisting of 1 hour of mandatory seminar followed by 6 hours of compulsory hackathon-style exercises per week.

The requirements for successful completion of the course are defined by the annually updated Announcement issued by the course guarantor and include:

  • full participation in both seminars and practical exercises,
  • preparation and delivery of a presentation on a designated topic,
  • successful completion of oral final exam (max 100 points), with a minimum total of 50 points required to pass the course.

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation as well as practical experience in advanced image processing and computer vision methods. Students will develop the ability to implement, evaluate, and compare different approaches, gain experience in collaborative team projects, improve their presentation and communication skills, and apply the acquired knowledge to a variety of image data and real-world problem-solving scenarios.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

JAN, Jiří. 2019. Medical image processing reconstruction and analysis: concepts and methods. Second edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press. ISBN 978-113-8310-285. (EN)

Recommended reading

BRAR, Khushmeen Kaur, Bhawna GOYAL, Ayush DOGRA, Mohammed Ahmed MUSTAFA, Rana MAJUMDAR, Ahmed ALKHAYYAT and Vinay KUKREJA. 2025. Image segmentation review: Theoretical background and recent advances. Information Fusion [online]. Elsevier BV, 114(1), 102608 [accessed 2026-1-28]. DOI: 10.1016/j.inffus.2024.102608. ISSN 1566-2535. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2024.102608 (EN)
LI, Suya, Hengyi REN, Xin XIE and Ying CAO. 2025. A Review of Multi‐Object Tracking in Recent Times. IET Computer Vision [online]. Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), 19(1), 1-18 [accessed 2026-1-28]. DOI: 10.1049/cvi2.70010. ISSN 1751-9632. Available at: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/cvi2.70010 (EN)
LIU, Cuiyin, Jishang XU and Feng WANG. 2021. A Review of Keypoints’ Detection and Feature Description in Image Registration. Scientific Programming [online]. Wiley, 2021(1), 1-25 [accessed 2026-1-28]. DOI: 10.1155/2021/8509164. ISSN 1875-919X. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8509164 (EN)
SHALMA, H. and P. SELVARAJ. 2023. A review on 3D image reconstruction on specific and generic objects. Materials Today: Proceedings [online]. Elsevier BV, 80(1), 2400-2405 [accessed 2026-1-28]. DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.06.371. ISSN 2214-7853. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.06.371 (EN)
WALI, Aamir, Asma NASEER, Maria TAMOOR and S.A.M GILANI. 2023. Recent progress in digital image restoration techniques: A review. Digital Signal Processing [online]. 141(1), 104187-104187 [accessed 2026-1-28]. DOI: 10.1016/j.dsp.2023.104187. ISSN 1051-2004. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsp.2023.104187 (EN)
ZITOVÁ, Barbara and Jan FLUSSER. 2003. Image registration methods: a survey. Image and Vision Computing [online]. Elsevier BV, 21(11), 977-1000 [accessed 2026-1-28]. DOI: 10.1016/s0262-8856(03)00137-9. ISSN 0262-8856. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0262-8856(03)00137-9 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPA-BTB Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme MPCN-BTB Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
  • Programme MPAN-BIO Master's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

  • Programme MPCN-BIO Master's

    specialization MPC-BIO_TECH , 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

12 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Each lecture is delivered in the form of a seminar and precedes a practical hackathon on the same topic, providing the theoretical framework. Students are introduced to the motivation, an overview of existing methods, and the principles of fundamental approaches. Selected advanced methods are explored in depth through student presentations, followed by instructor commentary and the supplementation of key information necessary for understanding the material.

  1. Advanced image denoising – overview of image noise, principles of variational and diffusion-based methods, the role of regularisation, and deep learning possibilities.
  2. Image restoration and inverse problems – degradation models, inverse problems, regularisation principles, and Bayesian approaches.
  3. Keypoint detection and local features – detection and description of keypoints, invariance, and robust matching.
  4. Stereo and multiview processing – epipolar geometry, camera calibration principles, basics of disparity maps, and 3D reconstruction.
  5. Advanced image registration – rigid and non-rigid registration methods, similarity metrics, and optimisation strategies.
  6. Motion analysis and object tracking – principles of optical flow, object tracking, motion models, and handling of partial or complete occlusion.
  7. Advanced image segmentation – energy-based and graph-based models, Markov random fields, and principles of multi-label and hybrid segmentation.

Exercise in computer lab

42 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

The practical exercises are organised in the form of a hackathon, with each topic representing a distinct challenge. All students work on the same assignment and aim to solve the given problem as efficiently and creatively as possible. The exercises are carried out in groups, fostering teamwork, discussion, and idea sharing, while providing the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the seminars in a practical setting.

  1. Advanced image denoising – application of methods for noise removal, comparison of different approaches, and evaluation of quality and robustness of results.
  2. Image restoration and inverse problems – application of image restoration techniques, experimentation with different approaches, and assessment of restoration quality.
  3. Keypoint detection and local features – working with keypoints and local features, and their use in solving other image processing tasks.
  4. Stereo and multiview processing – obtaining 3D information from multiple views and evaluating reconstruction accuracy.
  5. Advanced image registration – application of registration methods, optimisation of the process, and assessment of registration accuracy.
  6. Motion analysis and object tracking – analysis of motion in image sequences, implementation of tracking algorithms, including error handling.
  7. Advanced image segmentation – application of image segmentation methods and evaluation of reliability and accuracy of the results.

Individual preparation for excercises

24 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Students are expected to dedicate sufficient time to preparing a clear and detailed presentation on the given topic. Preparation includes independently studying the subject matter, reviewing relevant literature and resources, and consulting with the instructor as needed to fully understand the material and create a high-quality presentation. The presentation should be prepared in such a way and with such depth that it allows other students to easily orient themselves in the topic. The goal is for students to structure the presentation clearly, understand the details of the methods, and be able to discuss possible approaches and applications.

Individual preparation for a final exam

24 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer