Masters Degrees (Robot)

Understanding all aspects of Human-Robot interaction: the programming that coordinates a robot’s actions with human action as well the human appreciation and trust in the robot.
At present, there are many sensors and actuators in every device – so they may become embedded in a physical reality. For robots that move around in a specific setting there is a pressing need for the development of proper methods of control and joint-action. The embedded, embodied nature of human cognition is an inspiration for this, and vice versa. Computational modelling of such tasks can give insight into the nature of human mental processing. In the Master’s specialisation in Robot Cognition you’ll learn all about the sensors, actuators and the computational modelling that connects them.
Making sense of sensor data – developing artificial perception – is no trivial task. The perception, recognition and even appreciation of sound stimuli for speech and music (i.e. auditory scene analysis) require modelling and representation at many levels and the same holds for visual object recognition and computer vision. In this area, vocal and facial expression recognition (recognition of emotion from voices and faces) is a rapidly growing application area. In the area of action and motor planning, sensorimotor integration and action, there are strong links with research at the world-renowned Donders Centre for Cognition.
At Radboud University we also look beyond the technical side of creating robots that can move, talk and interpret emotions as humans do. We believe that a robot needs to do more than simply function to its best ability. A robot that humans distrust will fail even if it is well programmed. Culture also plays a role in this; people in Japan are more open to the possibilities of robots than in, for example, the Netherlands. We will teach you how to evaluate humans’ attitudes towards a robot in order to use that information to create robots that will be accepted and trusted and therefore perform even better.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ai/robot

Why study Robot Cognition at Radboud University?

- We offer a great mix of technical and social aspects of robot cognition.

- This programme focuses on programming robot behaviours and evaluating them rather than building the robots themselves. We teach you to programme robots that will be used in close contact with human beings, for example in healthcare and education, rather than in industry.

- Our cognitive focus leads to a highly interdisciplinary AI programme where students gain skills and knowledge from a number of different areas such as mathematics, computer science, psychology and neuroscience combined with a core foundation of artificial intelligence.

- This specialisation offers plenty of room to create a programme that meets your own academic and professional interests.

- Together with the world-renowned Donders Institute, the Max Planck Institute and various other leading research centres in Nijmegen, we train our students to become excellent researchers in AI.

- To help you decide on a research topic there is a semi-annual Thesis Fair where academics and companies present possible project ideas. Often there are more project proposals than students to accept them, giving you ample choice. We are also open to any of you own ideas for research.

- Our AI students are a close-knit group; they have their own room in which they often get together to interact, debate and develop their ideas. Every student also receives personal guidance and supervision from a member of our expert staff.

Our research in this field

The programme is closely related to the research carried out in the internationally renowned Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. This institute has several unique facilities for brain imaging using EEG, fMRI and MEG. You could also cooperate with the Behavioural Science Institute and work in its Virtual Reality Laboratory, which can be used to study social interaction between humans and avatars.

An example of a possible thesis subject:
- Engaging human-robot interactions in healthcare for children and/or the elderly
Social robots are often deployed with 'special' user groups such as children and elderly people. Developing and evaluating robot behaviours for these user groups is a challenge as a proper understanding of their cognitive and social abilities is needed. Depending on the task, children for example need to be engaged and encouraged in a different way than adults do. What are effective robot behaviours and strategies to engage children and/or elderly people? How can these robot behaviours be evaluated in a proper way?

Career prospects

Our Artificial Intelligence graduates have excellent job prospects and are often offered a job before they have actually graduated. Many of our graduates go on to do a PhD either at a major research institute or university with an AI department. Other graduates work for companies interested in cognitive design and research. Examples of companies looking for AI experts with this specialisation: Philips, Siemens, Honda, Mercedes, Google. Some students have even gone on to start their own companies.

Job positions

Examples of jobs that a graduate of the specialisation in Robot Cognition could get:
- PhD Researcher on Cognitive-Affective Modelling for Social Robots
- PhD Researcher on Automatic analysis of human group behaviour in the presence of robots
- PhD Researcher on Automatic analysis of affective quality of conversations in human-robot interaction
- Advisor and innovation manager in the healthcare industry
- Social robotics and affective computing for robots expressing emotions
- Developer of control algorithms for using optic flow in drones
- Advisor for start-up company on developing new uses for tactile displays
- Team member in design of emotion recognition and training for autistic children

Internship

Half of your second year consists of an internship, giving you plenty of hands-on experience. We encourage students to do this internship abroad, although this is not mandatory. We do have connections with companies abroad, for example in China, Finland and the United States.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ai/robot

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Overview

Understanding naturally intelligent systems, building artificially intelligent systems, and improving the interactions between humans and artificial systems.

As humans, we may be intrigued by the complexity of any daily activity. How do we perceive, act, decide, and remember? On the one hand, if we understand how our own intelligence works, we can use this knowledge to make computers smarter. On the other hand, by making computers behave more like humans, we learn more about how our own cognition works.

The AI Master’s programme at Radboud University has a distinctly cognitive focus. This cognitive focus leads to a highly interdisciplinary programme where students gain skills and knowledge from a number of different areas such as mathematics, computer science, psychology and neuroscience combined with a core foundation of artificial intelligence.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/ai

Scientific and practical applications

Slowly the human brain has been revealing its mystery to the scientific community. Now that we are actually able to model and stimulate aspects of cognition, AI researchers have gained a deeper understanding of cognition. At the world-renowned Donders Institute, the Max Planck Institute and various other leading research centres, we train our students to become excellent researchers in this area.

At Radboud University we also teach students how to develop practical applications that will become the next generation of products, apps, therapies and services. Our department has been awarded several prizes for its pioneering role in bringing innovations from science to society, e.g. in Assistive Technology for people with disabilities. You’ll be taught the skills needed to conduct and steer such innovation processes. Many Master’s research projects have both a scientific and a practical component.

Specialisations

Computational modelling is the central methodology taught and used in this programme. Depending on the area of study, the computational models can range from behavioural models of millions of individuals interacting on the web, to functional models of human or robot decision-making, to models of individual or networks of artificial neurons. At Radboud University we offer the following three specialisations (on campus simply known as Computation, Robot and Web):

- Computation in Neural and Artificial Systems
Learn how to create artificial information systems that mimic biological systems as well as how to use theoretical insights from AI to better understand cognitive processing in humans.

- Robot Cognition
Understand all aspects of Human-Robot interaction: the programming that coordinates a robot’s actions with human action as well the human appreciation and trust in the robot.

- Web and Language Interaction
Learn how to build the intelligence used to power the future of the Web.

Research project and Internship

To finalise your AI master's programme, you have the choice of either an Internship (18EC) and Research Project (30EC) or a single larger Extended Research Project (48EC). During the internship you have the chance to acquire additional AI relevant skills either at a research lab or at a company. During the Research Projects phase, you get to put what you have learned during your master's programme into practice. You can perform your research work in the AI department, at other research departments at the University (e.g. the Behaviour Science Institute or Donders Institute) or at an external company (such as Philips or TNO). You are also encouraged to go abroad for your internship and/or research project (previously students have gone to Stanford University in California and Aldebaran Robotics in Paris). To help you decide on a thesis topic, there is an annual Thesis Fair where academics and companies present possible project ideas.

Job opportunities

Our Artificial Intelligence graduates have excellent job prospects and are often offered a job before they have actually graduated. Many of our graduates go on to do a PhD either at a major research institute or a university with an AI department. Other graduates have started their own companies or work for companies interested in cognitive design and research.

Find out how to apply here http://www.ru.nl/masters/ai

Meet Radboud University

- Information for international students
Radboud University would like to meet you in your country (http://www.ru.nl/meetus) in order to give all the information you need and to answer any questions you might have about studying in the Netherlands. In the next few months, an advisor of Radboud University will be attending fairs in various countries, always accompanied by a current or former student.
Furthermore, we understand if you would like to see the Radboud Campus and the city of Nijmegen, which is why we organise an Master's Open Day for international students (http://www.ru.nl/openday) which will take place on 5 March 2016.

- Information for Dutch students
Radboud University offers students in the Netherlands plenty of opportunities to get more information on your programme of choice, or get answers to any questions you might have and more. Apart from a Master's Evening and a Master's Day, we also organise Orientation Days and a Master’s Afternoon for HBO students.

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Taking BEng (Hons) Robotics to the next level, this MEng course digs deeper into the robotic technologies that are shaping today and tomorrow. Providing an extra year of insight and training, your learning will be informed by robotics research pushing boundaries worldwide led by our very own teaching staff. You’ll build technical and managerial skills that you can put into practice daily, through a final group project that will set your course for success when you graduate.

You will experience learning that meets the highest standard academic requirements set by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). You will draw on unique opportunities to engage in world-class robotics research, and in a variety of activities. You’ll capitalise on the opportunity to take a work placement in your second or third year, putting your robotics skills into action in the real world. You will take the fastest route to Chartered Engineer status.

Key features

-Benefit from outstanding teaching: in the 2016 National Student Survey 93 per cent of our final year students said that “The course is intellectually stimulating”.*
-Immerse yourself in a degree accredited by the Institution for Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
-Keep pace with the fast-moving world of robotics, on a course that cuts a path through the latest research across technologies and disciplines.
-Take the fastest route to Chartered Engineer status.
-Experience learning that meets the highest standard academic requirements set by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
-Undertake a major robotics design and implementation in your final project, showcasing your technical and managerial skills. Develop your technical content, legal and business skills as well as team working and project planning.
-Capitalise on the opportunity to take a work placement in your second or third year, putting your robotics skills into action in the real world.
-Rise to the challenge as part of the Plymouth Humanoids team, battling it out in a variety of international robot competitions.
-Develop professional writing skills as well as strengthening your technical design skills.
-Refine your professional project management skills, with dedicated professional support from staff across the entire final year on every different aspect of your project.
-Work alongside internationally-renowned staff in a leading service and cognitive robotics research environment.
-Draw on unique opportunities to engage in world-class robotics research, and in a variety of activities (for example, in the humanoid robot football, Federation of International Robot-soccer Association (FIRA) competition).

Course details

Year 1
In your first year you'll learn through doing, developing your knowledge and practical problem solving skills in our dedicated robotics and communications laboratories. From analogue and digital electronics to engineering mathematics, you'll build up the essential foundations of robotics. Group project work will also help you develop your communication skills and you'll learn structured design procedures for hardware and software all brought together in an integrating robotics project.

Core modules
-ELEC143 Embedded Software in Context
-BPIE112 Stage 1 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation
-ELEC141 Analogue Electronics
-ELEC142 Digital Electronics
-ELEC144 Electrical Principles and Machines
-MATH187 Engineering Mathematics

Optional modules
-ELEC137PP Electronic Design and Build
-ROCO103PP Robot Design and Build

Year 2
Throughout your second year, you'll develop a greater understanding of underlying engineering principles and circuit design methods. Again there's an emphasis on team-work, with the opportunity to do both group and individual presentations of your projects. You'll use industrial standard software tools for design and simulation, data monitoring and control, all valuable preparation for your final year individual project or for a placement year.

Core modules
-MATH237 Engineering Mathematics and Statistics
-ROCO222 Introduction to Sensors and Actuators
-BPIE212 Stage 2 Electrical/Robotics Placement Preparation
-ROCO224 Introduction to Robotics
-ROCO218 Control Engineering
-ELEC240 Embedded Systems
-ELEC241 Real Time Systems

Optional placement year
Your optional work placement experience gives opportunities to put theory into practice, grow your understanding of robotics in the real world and showcase your growing expertise. We can help you find industrial placement opportunities in the UK, France, Germany or even Japan. Placements will complement your studies with on-the-ground experience and could lead to final year sponsorship. Many of our graduates are offered permanent jobs with their placement company.

Core modules
-BPIE332 Electrical Industrial Placement

Year 4
This is when your skills, expertise and know how come into their own. Through your individual project you'll consolidate your knowledge, explore and evaluate new technologies and showcase your potential. You'll demonstrate your communication skills in an oral and written presentation of your project. Refining the independent learning skills you've developed throughout the course, you'll build a proactive, imaginative and dynamic approach to learning, vital for your future robotics career.

Core modules
-ROCO318 Mobile and Humanoid Robots
-PROJ324 Individual Project
-ELEC351 Advanced Embedded Programming
-AINT308 Machine Vision and Behavioural Computing

Optional modules
-ELEC345 High Speed Communications
-AINT351 Machine Learning

Final year
The MEng includes additional technical modules and a large interdisciplinary design project. There is also the possibility of continuing your studies to MSc level in the same academic year.

Core modules
-ROCO503 Sensors and Actuators
-ROCO504 Advanced Robot Design
-PROJ515 MEng Project
-AINT512 Science and Technology of Human-Robot Interaction

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

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The MSc in Robotics will provide you with the ability to understand, design and implement modern robotic systems. Robotics is increasingly prominent in a variety of sectors, from manufacturing and health to remote exploration of hostile environments such as space and the deep sea, and as autonomous and semi-autonomous systems that interact with people physically and socially.

This programme exposes you to a wide range of advanced engineering and computer science concepts, with the opportunity to carry out a practical robot project at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, one of the UK's most comprehensive robotics innovation facilities and a leading centre of robotics research.

The programme is jointly awarded and jointly delivered by the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, both based in Bristol, and therefore draws on the combined expertise, facilities and resources of the two universities. The Bristol Robotics Laboratory is a collaborative research partnership between the two universities with a vision to transform robotics by pioneering advances in autonomous robot systems that can behave intelligently with minimal human supervision.

Programme structure

Your course will cover the following core subjects:
-Robotics systems
-Robotic fundamentals
-Intelligent adaptive systems
-Robotics research preparation
-Image processing and computer vision
-Technology and context of robotics and autonomous systems
-Bio-inspired artificial intelligence

Typically you will be able to select from the following optional subjects:
-Computational neuroscience
-Uncertainty modelling for intelligent systems
-Introduction to artificial intelligence
-Learning in autonomous systems
-Design verification
-Animation production
-Advanced DSP and FPGA implementation
-Statistical pattern recognition
-Control theory
-Advanced techniques in multidisciplinary design
-Advanced dynamics
-Virtual product development
-Biomechanics
-Sensory ecology
-Transport modelling
-Electromechanical systems integration
-Advanced control and dynamics

Please note that your choice of optional units will be dependent on your academic background, agreement with the programme director and timetable availability.

Dissertation
During your second semester, you will start working on a substantial piece of research work that will make up one third of the overall MSc. It is possible to work on this project at Bristol Robotics Laboratory or in conjunction with one of our many industrial partners. Within the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, there are a number of themes from which projects may be chosen, including:
-Aerial robots
-Assisted living
-Bioenergy and self-sustainable systems
-Biomimetics and neuro-robotics
-Medical robotics
-Nonlinear robotics
-Robot vision
-Safe human-robot interaction
-Self-reparing robotic systems
-Smart automation
-Soft robotics
-Swarm robotics
-Tactile robotics
-Unconventional computation in robots
-Verification and validation for safety in robots

Further information is available from the Faculty of Engineering.

NB: Teaching for this programme is delivered at both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England campuses. Students attending the programme will be given free transport passes to travel between the two universities.

Careers

Robotics is a huge field spanning areas such as electronics, mechanics, software engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, psychology and biology. Career opportunities include: automotive industry, aerospace industry, advanced manufacturing, deep sea exploration, space exploration, food manufacture, pharmaceutical production and industrial quality control.

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Research profile

Robots have the potential to revolutionise society and the economy, working for us, beside us, and interacting with us. This EPSRC-sponsored programme will produce graduates with the technical skills and industry awareness to create an innovation pipeline from academic research to global markets.

The robotics and autonomous systems area has been highlighted by the UK Government in 2013 as one of the eight Great Technologies that underpin the UK's Industrial Strategy for jobs and growth. Key application areas include manufacturing, assistive and medical robots, offshore energy, environmental monitoring, search and rescue, defence, and support for the ageing population.

The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University are jointly offering this innovative four-year PhD training programme, which combines a strong general grounding in current theory, methods and applications with flexibility for individualised study and a specialised PhD project.

Robotics and autonomous systems are increasingly studied beyond the range of classical engineering. Today robots represent one of the main areas of application of computer science and provide challenges for mathematics and natural science.

It is impossible to imagine transportation, warehousing, safety systems, space and marine exploration, prosthetics, and many other areas of industry, technology and science without robots. Robots are used in theoretical biology and the neurosciences as a model of behaviour.

Areas of interest specific to the center include: movement control, planning, decision making, bio- and neurorobotics, human-robot interaction, healthcare applications, robot soccer, neuroprosthetics, underwater robotics, bipedal walking, service robots, robotic co-workers, computer vision, speech processing, computer animation realistic simulations, and machine learning.

Training and support

Our four-year PhD programme combines Masters level coursework and project work with independent PhD-level research.

In the first year, you will undertake four or five masters level courses, spread throughout robotics, machine learning, computational neuroscience, computer architectures, statistics, optimization, sensorics, dynamics, mechanics, image processing, signal processing, modelling, animation, artificial intelligence, and related areas. You will also undertake a significant introductory research project. (Students with previous masters-level work in these areas may request to take less courses and a larger project.)

At the end of the first year, successful students will be awarded an MSc by Research by the University of Edinburgh. From this basis, the subsequent three years will be spent developing and pursuing a PhD research project, under the close supervision of your primary and secondary supervisors. The PhD will be awarded jointly by the University of Edinburgh and the Heriot-Watt University.

You will have opportunities for three to six month internships with leading companies in your area, and to participate in our industrial engagement programme, exchanging ideas and challenges with our sponsor companies.

Throughout your studies, you will participate in our regular programmes of seminars, short talks and brainstorming sessions, and benefit from our pastoral mentoring schemes.

Our user partners in industry include companies working in offshore energy, environmental monitoring, defence, assisted living, transport, advanced manufacturing and education. They will provide the real world context for research, as well as opportunities for reciprocal secondments, internships and involvement in our industrial engagement programme.

The School of Informatics holds a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The School is deploying a range of strategies to help female staff and students of all stages in their careers and we seek regular feedback from our research community on our performance.

Facilities

You will have access to the outstanding facilities in the Edinburgh Robotarium, a national facility for research into robot interaction, supporting the research of more than 50 world-leading investigators from 17 cross-disciplinary research groups.

Research groups at the Edinburgh Robotarium include humanoid movement control, underwater, land and airborne autonomous vehicles, human robot interaction, bio- and neuro-robotics, and planning and decision making in multirobot scenarios.

In addition, our research groups contain a diverse range of compute clusters for compute and data-intensive work, including a large cluster hosted by the Edinburgh Compute and Data Facility.

Career opportunities

Our aim is to produce innovation-ready graduates who are skilled in the principles of technical and commercial disruption and who understand how finance and organisation realise new products in start-up, SME and corporate situations.

We intend for our graduates to become leaders in the globally emerging market for autonomous and robotic systems that reduce risk, reduce cost, increase profit and protect the environment. This vision is shared by our industrial supporters, whose support for our internship programme indicates their strong desire to find highly qualified new employees.

Our component research groups already have excellent track-records in post-graduation destinations, including the research labs of industry-leading companies, and post-doctoral research positions in top tier universities.

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About the course

Taught by experienced research staff from the Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI), an internationally recognised centre highly rated in the most recent Government Research Assessment Exercise, you gain a professional qualification that gives substantially enhanced career and research prospects in both traditional computing areas and in the expanding area of computational intelligence.

Computational Intelligence encompasses the techniques and methods used to tackle problems not well solved by traditional approaches to computing. The four areas of fuzzy logic, neural networks, evolutionary computing and knowledge based systems encompass much of what is considered to be computational (or artificial) intelligence. There are opportunities to use these techniques in many application areas such as robot control and games development depending on your interests.

Modules include work based on research by the Centre of Computational Intelligence. With an established international reputation, their work focuses on the use of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing, mobile robotics and biomedical informatics, providing theoretically sound solutions to real-world decision making and prediction problems. Past students have published papers with their CCI project supervisors and gone on to PhD study.

Reasons to Study

• Internationally recognised reputation
our internationally recognised Centre of Computational Intelligence (CCI) inputs into the course allowing you to understand the current research issues related to artificial intelligence

• Benefit from our Research Expertise
modules include work-based on research by our Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI) and focus on the use of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing, mobile robotics and biomedical informatics; providing theoretically sound solutions to real-world decision making and prediction problems

• Flexible study options
full-time, part time or distance learning study options available; making the course suitable for recent graduates and professionals in work

• Dedicated robotics laboratory
have access to our Advanced Mobile Robotics and Intelligent Agents Laboratory. The laboratory contains a variety of mobile robots ranging from the Lego Mindstorms and Pioneers to the Wheelbarrow robot for bomb disposal

• Employment Prospects
artificial Intelligence is a growing industry worldwide, employment opportunities exist in areas such as games development, control systems, software engineering, internet businesses, financial services, mobile communications, programming, and software engineering

Course Structure

Modules

• Computational Intelligence Research Methods
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programming
• Mobile Robots
• Fuzzy Logic
• Artificial Neural Networks
• Evolutionary Computing
• Applied Computational Intelligence
• Intelligent Mobile Robots
• Individual Project

Optional placement
We offer a great opportunity to boost your career prospects through an optional one year placement as part of your postgraduate studies. We have a dedicated Placement Unit which will help you obtain this. Once on your placement you will be supported by your Visiting Tutor to ensure that you gain maximum benefit from the experience. Placements begin after the taught component of the course has been completed - usually around June - and last for one year. When you return from your work placement you will begin your project.

Teaching and Assessment

The course consists of an induction unit, eight modules and an individual project. The summer period is devoted to work on the project for full-time students. If you choose to study via distance learning, you would normally take either one module per semester for four years or two modules per semester for four years plus a further year for the project.

Teaching is normally delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, discussions and e-learning packages. Assessment is via coursework only and will usually involve a combination of individual and group work, presentations, essays, reports and projects.

Distance learning material is delivered primarily through our virtual learning environment. Books, DVDs and other learning materials will be sent to you. We aim to replicate the on-site experience as fully as possible by using electronic discussion groups, encouraging contact with tutors through a variety of mediums.

Contact and learning hours

On-site students will have the lessons delivered by the module tutors in slots of three hours. In the full-time route, you can expect to have around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, with approximately 28 additional hours of independent study. There are also three non-teaching weeks when fulltime students can expect to spend around 40 hours on independent study each week.

To find out more

To learn more about this course and DMU, visit our website:
Postgraduate open days: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/open-evenings/postgraduate-open-days.aspx

Applying for a postgraduate course:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply.aspx

Funding for postgraduate students
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-funding-2017-18/postgraduate-funding-2017-18.aspx

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Be inspired to innovate and develop the robots, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems of tomorrow’s world. Gain advanced theoretical and practical knowledge from our world-leading experts in interactive and intelligent robotics, and graduate ready to pursue an exciting career in anything from home automation to deep sea or space exploration. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain invaluable industry experience and cultivate professional contacts on an integral work placement.

Key features

-Enhance your employability and grow your professional network with an optional integral work placement. You can choose to work in the UK, or overseas in countries including France, Germany or Japan.
-Get up-to-date with the latest developments in artificial life and intelligence, adaptive behaviour, information visualisation, neural computation and dynamic systems, as well as remote access and monitoring systems. Our seminars series with speakers from industry and academia gives you the opportunity to keep ahead in this fast moving field.
-Give yourself the edge. Our programme distinguishes itself from other robotics masters programmes, in the UK and abroad, by ensuring a deeper theoretical and practical knowledge of interactive and intelligent robotics.
-Expand your skills with first-class facilities including 3D rapid prototyping systems, in-house PCB design and assembly tools, and our award winning Plymouth Humanoid robots.
-Get expert training from members of the Marine and Industrial Dynamic Analysis (MIDAS) research group and the Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS).
-Become a professional in your field – this programme is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
-Benefit by combining disciplines that are traditionally taught separately. You’ll graduate ready with the expertise and joined-up knowledge to design and develop fully integrated mechanical, electronic, control and computing systems.

Course details

On this programme you’ll gain a solid and broad understanding of the latest developments and issues in robotics. You’ll build theoretical and practical knowledge of control and design as well as covering the interface between real-world devices, autonomous processing and evaluation of acquired information. You’ll investigate user interaction and intelligent decision-making and immerse yourself in an innovative project inspired by the latest developments in technology and society. You’ll have access to a robotics club and to a seminar series so that you can keep up-to-date with advances in the industry and academia.

Core modules
-ROCO503 Sensors and Actuators
-BPIE500 Masters Stage 1 Placement Preparation
-PROJ509 MSc Project
-AINT511 Topics in Advanced Intelligent Robotics
-MECH533 Robotics and Control
-SOFT561 Robot Software Engineering
-AINT513 Robotic Visual Perception and Autonomy
-AINT512 Science and Technology of Human-Robot Interaction

Optional modules
-BPIE502 Electrical/Robotics Masters Industrial Placement

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

Read less

About the course

Taught by experienced research staff from the Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI), an internationally recognised centre highly rated in the most recent Government Research Assessment Exercise, you gain a professional qualification that gives substantially enhanced career and research prospects in both traditional computing areas and in the expanding area of computational intelligence.

Computational Intelligence encompasses the techniques and methods used to tackle problems not well solved by traditional approaches to computing. The four areas of fuzzy logic, neural networks, evolutionary computing and knowledge based systems encompass much of what is considered to be computational (or artificial) intelligence. There are opportunities to use these techniques in many application areas such as robot control and games development depending on your interests.

Modules include work based on research by the Centre of Computational Intelligence. With an established international reputation, their work focuses on the use of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing, mobile robotics and biomedical informatics, providing theoretically sound solutions to real-world decision making and prediction problems. Past students have published papers with their CCI project supervisors and gone on to PhD study.

Reasons to Study

• Internationally recognised reputation
our internationally recognised Centre of Computational Intelligence (CCI) inputs into the course allowing you to understand the current research issues related to artificial intelligence

• Benefit from our Research Expertise
modules include work-based on research by our Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI) and focus on the use of fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks, evolutionary computing, mobile robotics and biomedical informatics; providing theoretically sound solutions to real-world decision making and prediction problems

• Flexible study options
full-time, part time or distance learning study options available; making the course suitable for recent graduates and professionals in work

• Dedicated robotics laboratory
have access to our Advanced Mobile Robotics and Intelligent Agents Laboratory. The laboratory contains a variety of mobile robots ranging from the Lego Mindstorms and Pioneers to the Wheelbarrow robot for bomb disposal

• Employment Prospects
artificial Intelligence is a growing industry worldwide, employment opportunities exist in areas such as games development, control systems, software engineering, internet businesses, financial services, mobile communications, programming, and software engineering

Course Structure

Modules

• Computational Intelligence Research Methods
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programming
• Mobile Robots
• Fuzzy Logic
• Artificial Neural Networks
• Evolutionary Computing
• Applied Computational Intelligence
• Data Mining
• Individual Project

Optional placement
We offer a great opportunity to boost your career prospects through an optional one year placement as part of your postgraduate studies. We have a dedicated Placement Unit which will help you obtain this. Once on your placement you will be supported by your Visiting Tutor to ensure that you gain maximum benefit from the experience. Placements begin after the taught component of the course has been completed - usually around June - and last for one year. When you return from your work placement you will begin your project.

Teaching and Assessment

The course consists of an induction unit, eight modules and an individual project. The summer period is devoted to work on the project for full-time students. If you choose to study via distance learning, you would normally take either one module per semester for four years or two modules per semester for four years plus a further year for the project.

Teaching is normally delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, discussions and e-learning packages. Assessment is via coursework only and will usually involve a combination of individual and group work, presentations, essays, reports and projects.

Distance learning material is delivered primarily through our virtual learning environment. Books, DVDs and other learning materials will be sent to you. We aim to replicate the on-site experience as fully as possible by using electronic discussion groups, encouraging contact with tutors through a variety of mediums.

Contact and learning hours

On-site students will have the lessons delivered by the module tutors in slots of three hours. In the full-time route, you can expect to have around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, with approximately 28 additional hours of independent study. There are also three non-teaching weeks when fulltime students can expect to spend around 40 hours on independent study each week.

Academic expertise

Taught by experienced research staff from the Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI), an internationally recognised centre highly rated in the most recent Government Research Assessment Exercise, you will gain a professional qualification that gives substantially enhanced career and research prospects in both traditional computing areas and in the expanding area of computational intelligence.

To find out more

To learn more about this course and DMU, visit our website:
Postgraduate open days: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/open-evenings/postgraduate-open-days.aspx

Applying for a postgraduate course:
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply/entry-criteria-and-how-to-apply.aspx

Funding for postgraduate students
http://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-funding-2017-18/postgraduate-funding-2017-18.aspx

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Launch yourself into the robotics research environment and develop the skills and confidence to conduct your own in-depth research project. Gain current, advanced theoretical and practical knowledge from our world-leading experts in intelligent and interactive robotics. You’ll graduate ready for a future in the fast-moving world of personal and service robotics and with the skills to further your research to PhD level.

Key features

-Immerse yourself in an individual research project and learn how to communicate your motivation, methodology, and conclusions through a formal dissertation and summary paper.
-Get up-to-date with the latest developments in artificial life and intelligence, adaptive behaviour, information visualisation, neural computation and dynamic systems, as well as remote access and monitoring systems. Our seminars series with speakers from industry and academia gives you the opportunity to keep ahead in this fast moving field.
-Give yourself the edge. Our programme distinguishes itself from other robotics masters programmes, in the UK and abroad, by ensuring a deeper theoretical and practical knowledge of interactive and intelligent robotics.
-Expand your skills with first-class facilities including 3D rapid prototyping systems, in-house PCB design and assembly tools, and our award winning Plymouth Humanoid robots.
-Get expert training from members of the Marine and Industrial Dynamic Analysis (MIDAS) research group and the Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS).
-Benefit by combining disciplines that are traditionally taught separately. You’ll graduate ready with the expertise and joined-up knowledge to design and develop fully integrated mechanical, electronic, control and computing systems.
-The taught elements of this programme are also delivered to students on Year 1 of the MSc Robotics Technology programme.

Course details

On this programme you’ll gain a solid and broad understanding of the latest developments and issues in robotics. You’ll build advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of control and design as well as covering the interface between real-world devices, autonomous processing and evaluation of acquired information. You’ll learn how to search, critically appraise and identify relevant research literature. You’ll also gain expertise in project management and personal effectiveness whilst immersing yourself in a substantial and innovative project inspired by the latest developments in technology and society. You’ll have access to a robotics club and to a seminar series so that you can keep up-to-date with advances in the industry and academia.

Core modules
-PROJ510 MRes Project

Optional modules
-ROCO503 Sensors and Actuators
-AINT511 Topics in Advanced Intelligent Robotics
-MECH533 Robotics and Control
-SOFT561 Robot Software Engineering
-AINT513 Robotic Visual Perception and Autonomy
-AINT512 Science and Technology of Human-Robot Interaction

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

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Robotics requires a well-developed knowledge of areas ranging from computer science and artificial intelligence, to engineering and neuroscience, in order to produce hardware which can sense and manipulate the real world. This field has allowed us to develop everything from satellites and submarines, to racecars and robots.

Research carried out by our team has resulted in appearance in the Robot Soccer World Cup final, an autonomous robot fish in the London Aquarium, and a self-programming computer vision system.

Our course provides a comprehensive coverage of contemporary intelligent systems, with robots serving as a major example of the technology. Thanks to the leading research being undertaken in our School, you will gain a solid understanding of the foundations of this technology, exploring areas including:
-The principles by which sensed data are converted into useful information
-The practical aspects of developing intelligent and robotic systems
-Biologically-inspired robots
-Biometrics
-Computational intelligence

Our MSc Intelligent Systems and Robotics is delivered by our team of internationally recognised researchers, with expertise spanning the entire range of intelligent systems and experience of developing robots intended for land, under water and in the air.

We are ranked Top 10 in the UK in the 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities, with more than two-thirds of our research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent (REF 2014).

This course is also available on a part-time basis.

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).This accreditation is increasingly sought by employers, and provides the first stage towards eventual professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Our expert staff

Our research covers a range of topics, from materials science and semiconductor device physics, to the theory of computation and the philosophy of computer science, with most of our research groups based around laboratories offering world-class facilities.

Our impressive external research funding stands at over £4 million and we participate in a number of EU initiatives and undertake projects under contract to many outside bodies, including government and industrial organisations.

In recent years we have attracted many highly active research staff and we are conducting world-leading research in areas such as evolutionary computation, brain-computer interfacing, intelligent inhabited environments and financial forecasting.

Specialist facilities

We are one of the largest and best resourced computer science and electronic engineering schools in the UK. Our work is supported by extensive networked computer facilities and software aids, together with a wide range of test and instrumentation equipment.
-We have six laboratories that are exclusively for computer science and electronic engineering students. Three are open 24/7, and you have free access to the labs except when there is a scheduled practical class in progress
-All computers run either Windows 7 or are dual boot with Linux
-Software includes Java, Prolog, C++, Perl, Mysql, Matlab, DB2, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project
-Students have access to CAD tools and simulators for chip design (Xilinx) and computer networks (OPNET)
-We also have specialist facilities for research into areas including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, robotics, optoelectronics, video, RF and MW, printed circuit milling, and semiconductors

Your future

Our recent graduates have progressed to a variety of senior positions in industry and academia. Some of the companies and organisations where our former graduates are now employed include:
-Electronic Data Systems
-Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
-Bank of Mexico
-Visa International
-Hyperknowledge (Cambridge)
-Hellenic Air Force
-ICSS (Beijing)
-United Microelectronic Corporation (Taiwan)

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-MSc Project and Dissertation
-Computer Vision
-Group Project
-Intelligent Systems and Robotics
-Machine Learning and Data Mining
-Professional Practice and Research Methodology
-Programming Embedded Systems
-Artificial Neural Networks (optional)
-Constraint Satisfaction for Decision Making (optional)
-Creating and Growing a New Business Venture (optional)
-Digital Signal Processing (optional)
-Electronic System Design & Integration (optional)
-Evolutionary Computation and Genetic Programming (optional)
-High Level Logic Design (optional)
-Game Artificial Intelligence (optional)
-Virtual Worlds (optional)
-Natural Language Engineering

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Robotics requires a well-developed knowledge of areas ranging from computer science and artificial intelligence, to engineering and neuroscience, in order to produce hardware which can sense and manipulate the real world. This field has allowed us to develop everything from satellites and submarines, to racecars and robots.

Research carried out by our team has resulted in appearance in the Robot Soccer World Cup final, an autonomous robot fish in the London Aquarium, and a self-programming computer vision system.

Our course provides a comprehensive coverage of contemporary intelligent systems, with robots serving as a major example of the technology. Thanks to the leading research being undertaken in our School, you will gain a solid understanding of the foundations of this technology, exploring areas including:

- The principles by which sensed data are converted into useful information
- The practical aspects of developing intelligent and robotic systems
- Biologically-inspired robots
- Biometrics
- Computational intelligence

Our MSc Intelligent Systems and Robotics is delivered by our team of internationally recognised researchers, with expertise spanning the entire range of intelligent systems and experience of developing robots intended for land, under water and in the air.

We are ranked Top 10 in the UK in the 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities, with more than two-thirds of our research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent (REF 2014).

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On this well-established MSc programme you willdevelop advanced knowledge and skills in key aspects of telecommunications and wireless systems.

The course content is updated annually to maintain industry relevance and to reflect the latest developments in the industry.

We cover the following core (compulsory) topics during the MSc:

- Embedded computer systems
- Digital system design
- IC design
- Microprocess systems
- Research skills and project management.

Part-time study is in co-operation with the students’ employers. Please contact the Programme Director before applying.

Projects

Your project work will earn you 60 credits towards your MSc degree. The project's examined by oral presentation and dissertation.

In your work you'll need to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of your topic, mastery of research techniques, and the ability to analyse assembled data and assess outcomes.

Why Electrical Engineering and Electronics?

World-class facilities, including top industry standard laboratories

We have specialist facilities for processing semiconductor devices, optical imaging spectroscopy and sensing, technological plasmas, equipment for testing switch gear, specialist robot laboratories, clean room laboratories, e-automation, RF Engineering, bio-nano engineering labs and excellent mechanical and electrical workshops.

A leading centre for electrical and electronic engineering expertise

We are closely involved with over 50 prominent companies and research organisations worldwide, many of which not only fund and collaborate with us but also make a vital contribution to developing our students.

Career prospects

Our postgraduate students get to be a part of the cutting edge research projects being undertaken by our academic staff.

Here are some of the areas these projects cover:-

Molecular and semiconductor integrated circuit electronics
Technological plasmas
Communications
Digital signal processing
Optoelectronics
Nanotechnology
Robotics
Free electron lasers
Power electronics
Energy efficient systems
E-Automation
Intelligence engineering.

You'll get plenty of industry exposure too. Our industrial partners include ARM Holdings Plc, a top 200 UK company that specialises in microprocessor design and development.

As a result our postgraduates have an impressive record of securing employment after graduation in a wide range of careers not limited to engineering.

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The Computer Animation Master’s programme at Kent is oriented towards current industrial needs, technology and practice. It is designed to be a direct route into this high-profile, modern and creative industry, and has been developed jointly by the School and our industrial partner Framestore CFC.

Develop your knowledge and understanding of the animation process, software tools, techniques and packages, and the technical aspects of working in a professional animation environment. The MSc programme offers invaluable experience of working to professional briefs and under expert supervision of professional animators to prepare you for a career in industry.

Competition is fierce in animation and visual effects and success depends on your concentration levels, constant practise and ability to grasp the essence and modern techniques of animation. Successful former students are now working in animation and animation layout roles for companies such as Sony Games and Framestore CFC on major titles in games, television and film.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/248/computer-animation

About the School of Engineering and Digital Arts

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts successfully combines modern engineering and technology with the exciting field of digital media. The School, which was established over 40 years ago, has developed a top-quality teaching and research base, receiving excellent ratings in both research and teaching assessments.

The School undertakes high-quality research that has had significant national and international impact, and our spread of expertise allows us to respond rapidly to new developments. Our 30 academic staff and over 130 postgraduate students and research staff provide an ideal focus to effectively support a high level of research activity. We have a thriving student population studying for postgraduate degrees in a friendly, supportive teaching and research environment.

We have research funding from the Research Councils UK, European research programmes, a number of industrial and commercial companies and government agencies including the Ministry of Defence. Our Electronic Systems Design Centre and Digital Media Hub provide training and consultancy for a wide range of companies. Many of our research projects are collaborative, and we have well-developed links with institutions worldwide.

Course structure

This intensively taught postgraduate course lasts a full year. It takes place in a dedicated computer laboratory where you have your own seat and computer for the duration of the course. The course lectures and workshops, whether led by visiting professionals or staff, are all held in this room. Demonstrations and showing of films are by means of an HD projector. By the end of the year, the lab will be where you live as much as your accommodation.

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.

EL831 - Digital Visual Art set-up (15 credits)
EL832 - Animation Principles (15 credits)
EL833 - Visual Training (15 credits)
EL837 - Professional Group Work (15 credits)
EL863 - Advanced 3D Modelling (15 credits)
EL864 - Pre-Visualisation (15 credits)
EL865 - Action in Animation (15 credits)
EL866 - Acting in Animation (15 credits)
EL830 - Computer Animation Project (60 credits)

Assessment

Each module is assessed by practical assignments. The project work is assessed on the outcome of the project itself.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

- enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding within the field of 3D computer animation, which will equip you to become a professional in the animation and visual effects industry

- produce professionally-trained animators who are highly skilled in using state-of-the-art 3D animation software for producing animated films

- provide you with proper academic guidance and welfare support

- create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer you an environment where you can develop your potential

- strengthen and expand opportunities for industrial collaboration with the School of Engineering and Digital Arts.

Research areas

- Intelligent Interactions

The Intelligent Interactions group has interests in all aspects of information engineering and human-machine interactions. It was formed in 2014 by the merger of the Image and Information Research Group and the Digital Media Research Group.

The group has an international reputation for its work in a number of key application areas. These include: image processing and vision, pattern recognition, interaction design, social, ubiquitous and mobile computing with a range of applications in security and biometrics, healthcare, e-learning, computer games, digital film and animation.

- Social and Affective Computing
- Assistive Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
- Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Mobile, Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing
- Sensor Networks and Data Analytics
- Biometric and Forensic Technologies
- Behaviour Models for Security
- Distributed Systems Security (Cloud Computing, Internet of Things)
- Advanced Pattern Recognition (medical imaging, document and handwriting recognition, animal biometrics)
- Computer Animation, Game Design and Game Technologies
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Digital Arts, Virtual Narratives.

Careers

We have developed the programme with a number of industrial organisations, which means that successful students will be in a strong position to build a long-term career in this important discipline.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts (http://www.eda.kent.ac.uk/) has an excellent record of student employability (http://www.eda.kent.ac.uk/school/employability.aspx). We are committed to enhancing the employability of all our students, to equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a competitive, fast-moving, knowledge-based economy.

Graduates who can show that they have developed transferable skills and valuable experience are better prepared to start their careers and are more attractive to potential employers.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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The School of Engineering and Digital Arts offers research-led degrees in a wide range of research disciplines, related to Electronic, Control and Information Engineering, in a highly stimulating academic environment. The School enjoys an international reputation for its work and prides itself in allowing students the freedom to realise their maximum potential.

Established over 40 years ago, the School has developed a top-quality teaching and research base, receiving excellent ratings in both research and teaching assessments.

We undertake high-quality research that has had significant national and international impact, and our spread of expertise allows us to respond rapidly to new developments. Our 30 academic staff and over 130 postgraduate students and research staff provide an ideal focus to effectively support a high level of research activity. There is a thriving student population studying for postgraduate degrees in a friendly and supportive teaching and research environment.

We have research funding from the Research Councils UK, European research programmes, a number of industrial and commercial companies and government agencies including the Ministry of Defence. Our Electronic Systems Design Centre and Digital Media Hub provide training and consultancy for a wide range of companies. Many of our research projects are collaborative, and we have well-developed links with institutions worldwide.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/262/electronic-engineering

Project opportunities

Some projects available for postgraduate research degrees (http://www.eda.kent.ac.uk/postgraduate/projects_funding/pgr_projects.aspx).

Research areas

- Communications

The Group’s activities cover system and component technologies from microwave to terahertz frequencies. These include photonics, antennae and wireless components for a broad range of communication systems. The Group has extensive software research tools together with antenna anechoic chambers, network and spectrum analysers to millimetre wave frequencies and optical signal generation, processing and measurement facilities. Current research themes include:

- photonic components
- networks/wireless systems
- microwave and millimetre-wave systems
- antenna systems
- radio-over-fibre systems
- electromagnetic bandgaps and metamaterials
- frequency selective surfaces.

- Intelligent Interactions:

The Intelligent Interactions group has interests in all aspects of information engineering and human-machine interactions. It was formed in 2014 by the merger of the Image and Information Research Group and the Digital Media Research Group.

The group has an international reputation for its work in a number of key application areas. These include: image processing and vision, pattern recognition, interaction design, social, ubiquitous and mobile computing with a range of applications in security and biometrics, healthcare, e-learning, computer games, digital film and animation.

- Social and Affective Computing
- Assistive Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction
- Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Mobile, Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing
- Sensor Networks and Data Analytics
- Biometric and Forensic Technologies
- Behaviour Models for Security
- Distributed Systems Security (Cloud Computing, Internet of Things)
- Advanced Pattern Recognition (medical imaging, document and handwriting recognition, animal biometrics)
- Computer Animation, Game Design and Game Technologies
- Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Digital Arts, Virtual Narratives.

- Instrumentation, Control and Embedded Systems:

The Instrumentation, Control and Embedded Systems Research Group comprises a mixture of highly experienced, young and vibrant academics working in three complementary research themes – embedded systems, instrumentation and control. The Group has established a major reputation in recent years for solving challenging scientific and technical problems across a range of industrial sectors, and has strong links with many European countries through EU-funded research programmes. The Group also has a history of industrial collaboration in the UK through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.

The Group’s main expertise lies primarily in image processing, signal processing, embedded systems, optical sensors, neural networks, and systems on chip and advanced control. It is currently working in the following areas:

- monitoring and characterisation of combustion flames
- flow measurement of particulate solids
- medical instrumentation
- control of autonomous vehicles
- control of time-delay systems
- high-speed architectures for real-time image processing
- novel signal processing architectures based on logarithmic arithmetic.

Careers

We have developed our programmes with a number of industrial organisations, which means that successful students are in a strong position to build a long-term career in this important discipline. You develop the skills and capabilities that employers are looking for, including problem solving, independent thought, report-writing, time management, leadership skills, team-working and good communication.

Kent has an excellent record for postgraduate employment: over 94% of our postgraduate students who graduated in 2013 found a job or further study opportunity within six months.

Building on Kent’s success as the region’s leading institution for student employability, we offer many opportunities for you to gain worthwhile experience and develop the specific skills and aptitudes that employers value.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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Computer vision and imaging is the exciting science and technology of machines that see, concerned with building artificial systems that obtain information from images that are derived from a range of sources. This MSc in Computing with Vision and Imaging teaches you the skills necessary to undertake work in this ever-evolving field.

Why study at Dundee?

Computer vision and imaging is a rapidly expanding field with plenty of real-life applications and opportunities. Here at Dundee, we encourage a professional, inter-disciplinary and user-centred approach to computer systems design and production.

Application areas include:
controlling processes - e.g. an industrial robot or an autonomous vehicle
detecting events - e.g. for visual surveillance or people counting
organising information - e.g. for indexing databases of images and image sequences
modelling objects or environments - e.g. for industrial inspection
medical image analysis
topographical modelling

You will acquire skills in computer vision, inference, algorithmic underpinnings of computer vision systems, how images and signals are formed, filter, compressed and analysed, and how multiple images can be combined.

Throughout this course, you will also develop the necessary skills to undertake independent research and participate in proposal development and innovation - an excellent grounding for many future careers.

What's Great about studying at Dundee?

Research-led teaching:
Teaching at Dundee is research-led, meaning that the MSc programme benefits from association with cutting-edge research of international standard and its commercial applications.

We also have an active Computer Vision and Image Processing research group. Our Vision and Imaging students are involved in a number of http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/projects/vision/projects.php, and have been involved with a number of completed research projects like ACTIVE, a project concerning adaptive interfaces for the operation of secondary controls in motor vehicles using pointing gestures and virtual dashboards.

Links with industry

The School of Computing collaborates with, and has links to, companies such as IBM, NCR and Oracle.

Our facilities

You will have 24-hour access to our award winning and purpose-built Queen Mother Building. It has an unusual mixture of lab space and breakout areas, with a range of conventional and special equipment for you to use. It's also easy to work on your own laptop as there is wireless access throughout the building. Our close ties to industry allows us access to facilities such as Windows Azure and Teradata, and university and industry standard software such as Tableau for you to evaluate and use.

Postgraduate culture

The School of Computing maintains a friendly, intimate and supportive atmosphere, and we take pride in the fact that we know all of our students - you're far more than just a matriculation number to us. We have a thriving postgraduate department with regular seminars and guest speakers.

What you will study

You select seven taught modules, three per semester, during the period September-April. You will make module selections with your advisor.

Semester 1 (Sept-Dec):
Probabilistic Inference and Learning
Signals and Images

Plus two from:
Technology Innovation Management
Computer Graphics
Logical Inference & Symbolic Reasoning
Information Theory

Semester 2 (Jan-Mar):
Vision and Perception
Research Methods

Plus one from:
Computing Research Frontiers
Multi-agent Systems & Grid Computing

Subject to examination performance, you then progress to the MSc project which runs from May to September, or to a Diploma project lasting 9 weeks.

Please note that some of the modules in the programme are shared with other masters programmes and some of the teaching and resources may be shared with our BSc programme. These joint classes offer a valuable opportunity to learn from, and discuss the material with, other groups of students with different backgrounds and perspectives.

How you will be assessed

The taught modules are assessed by continuous assessment plus end of semester examinations in December and March/April. The project is assessed by dissertation.

Computing coursework is often very practical, e.g. writing computer programs, designing interfaces, writing reports, constructing web sites, testing software, implementing databases, analysing problems or presenting solutions to clients.

Careers

The knowledge, skills and understanding that you will gain in the areas of computer vision, inference and learning will enable you to work effectively in the application of video and image-based computing - whether you choose industry, commerce or research.

Computing at the University of Dundee is ranked 21st in the UK according to most recent Times Good University Guide and 12th in the UK according to the Guardian University League Table 2009. The University of Dundee has powered its way to a position as one of Scotland's leading universities with an international reputation for excellence across a range of activities. With over 18,000 students, it is growing fast in both size and reputation. It has performed extremely well in both teaching and research assessment exercises, has spawned a range of spin-out companies to exploit its research and has a model wider-access programme.

Dundee has been described as the largest village in Scotland which gives an indication of how friendly and compact it is. With a population of 150,000 it is not too large but has virtually all the cultural and leisure activities you would expect in a much larger city. It is situated beside a broad estuary of the river Tay, surrounded by hills and farmland, and for lovers of the great outdoors it is hard to imagine another UK location that offers so much all year round on land and water. The University is situated in the centre of Dundee, and everything needed is on the one-stop campus: study facilities, help, advice, leisure activities... yet the attractions of the city centre and the cultural quarter are just a stroll away.

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