CS 488Introduction to Computer Graphics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Mathematics
- Subject
- Computer Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Software and hardware for interactive computer graphics. Implementation of device drivers, 3-D transformations, clipping, perspective, and input routines. Data structures, hidden surface removal, colour shading techniques, and some additional topics will be covered.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- CS341 - Algorithms (0.50)
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
- Enrolled in H-BBA & BCS Double Degree, H-Computer Science (BCS), H-Computer Science (BMath), JH-Computer Science (BCS), JH-Computer Science (BMath), H-Computing & Financial Management, H-Data Science (BCS), or H-Software Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5620 | 0 / 70 | TTh 08:30–09:50 |
| LEC 701 | 2203 | 63 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Resources
Around the web
Found by uwloo’s link finder, which checks that each page names CS 488.
- Web Page redirection template Course website · student.cs.uwaterloo.ca Remove
- CS 488/688: Introduction to Computer Graphics Course website · Spring 2026 · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Toshiya Hachisuka’s site Remove
- CS 488/688: Introduction to Computer Graphics Course website · Spring 2023 · cs.uwaterloo.ca · from Toshiya Hachisuka’s site Remove
Reviewed on UW Flow
57% liked it55% easy51% useful
From 125 ratings and 29 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Very interesting course content and recently got revamped. This means it's not as hard as it used to be (not worthy of the big 3 anymore) but you don't learn as much. Assignments were average but the project was a huge grind. Overall, it was a very fun and rewarding course. Took with Shlomi Steinberg
Aug 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The most interesting course I've taken so far. Easily a must-take if you want to work in the video game industry (even not as a rendering programmer)
Jan 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The first 3 assignments were okay but not that great since most of the work was plumbing and most of the actual graphics work was part of the demo code, it would be better if this was reversed. The ray tracing assignment and final project were very fun and I got very sucked in.
The classes were largely unrelated to the assignments and decent, although they skip out on some important parts of modern rendering like PBR and tone mapping in favour of covering things that aren't used as much like radiosity.Oct 2018 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Very difficult, time consuming, affects time available for other courses, but very interesting material. Only worth taking if you're very interested in it.
Nov 2013 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Took the S26 offering. Most importantly: take the Spring version of the course, revised since 2023! For some reason, the Fall and Winter offerings have remained the same less-flexible old-school versions. You'll find the assignments quite pre-chewed for you, and the project is defined by you. If you process slides carefully enough, you'll cross 100 (in Spring offerings, as long as final exams stay out of them).
May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
317 posts and comments in 261 threads mention CS 488, July 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
Take it easy in my last semester? 7 points, 4 comments
u/astroturfer1984: “I'm in CS and I've always wanted to take CS 488 because the pictures on the website looked cool but I'm wondering if it's gonna be worth it. I'm currently enrolled in 4 classes despite only needing 3 to grad, and if I drop 488 I will have only one final exam. Should I drop it? …”
CS 452, CS 488 + one other course. Doable? 3 points, 1 comment
u/s01arpunk: “… It was just gonna be CS 488, CS 492, and then a history class (with a good amount of reading). If I add 452 I'll be replacing 492 with it since I've wanted to do 488 since first year. Is this even doable? I just barely have a 90 average (and I'd like to keep it that way). …”
Spring 2024
Interesting courses for CS upper year (3A+) 13 points, 14 comments
“I am in CS, and I am just (after exams) done with with 2B. I only have CS 341 and CS 350 left in the mandatory courses for CS, and I will be on my 3A term in the coming Winter term. …”
u/confused-student1028: “Cs444 cs452 cs488”
200+ bird course fall 2024 3 points, 8 comments
“saw my course schedule and i didnt get clas 201 so i wanna have a replacement in the case that i cant enroll into it next week. …”
u/confused-student1028: “Can444, cs488, cs452”
Who Said Spring Term Was More Chill? 75 points, 20 comments
“I feel like I have more stress, pressure and deadlines this term than any of my previous terms. And I feel like I have a lack of "work-life balance" 🥲😭”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “Tell me about it, I'd rather do the CS big 3 in a single term than do what I'm doing right now”
u/ConsequenceNo3618: “CS 452, CS 488, CS 444”
Course Selection for AI/ML + imaging 7 points, 6 comments
u/jawyau: “… ECE 457A ECE 457B SYDE 522 MSCI/MSE 446 SYDE 575 SYDE 572 ECE 495 CS 488 CS 484 I ideally want a lighter term but I also understand that some of the good courses are difficult so I'm willing to put in the effort if it's really worth it in the long run. …”
u/Intelligent-Show-815: “can non cs students take cs 488 and 484?”
Is doing CS 456, CS 458, 3x bird courses + 20hr/week job difficult? 8 points, 13 comments
“Do you think this is doable for my 3B term? Not sure how difficult CS 456 and CS 458 are, especially if taking them in the same term, so any insight would be appreciated. …”
u/dave7364: “Is doing CS 452, CS 444, CS 488, CS 343, PMATH 450 and a full time job, and a design team (Waterloop btw) doable? (I have a CAV of 94).”
My experience with CS 444, 452, 488 34 points, 4 comments
Winter 2024
Taking CS 488/688 without prereqs 3 points, 3 comments
u/whenjob: “Hello, I havent taken CS 370, or CS 371, one of which is required to take CS 488. I tried getting an override from my academic advisor but they said no. …”
CS488 Final Exam Outline 1 point, 0 comments
u/GreenyMango: “Hi! Does anyone have the exam outline for CS488? Did the prof talk about it in one of the lectures?”
CS488 Course Notes 3 points, 0 comments
u/GreenyMango: “Does anyone have course notes (covering lecture-exclusive contents) they can share? I unfortunately missed a lot of lectures this term due to personal matters. :( DM me please...”
CS488 Moment... 89 points, 8 comments
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them