Postgraduate Prospectus 2012 University of E xeter

Computer Science | 73
RESEARCH DEGREES
Exeter (Streatham Campus)
MPhil/PhD
As a Computer Science PhD or MPhil student,
you will join the Informatics Research
Institute. This brings together computer
scientists, mathematicians and engineers
working on a variety of modern-day,
interdisciplinary topics including problems of
knowledge representation, machine learning,
optimisation, image and signal processing,
as well as robotics and systems biology. Our
computer science and informatics research
outputs were recognised as having both
industrial and social importance in the 2008
RAE, with the institute’s Centre for Water
Systems noted as a clear area of strength.
• 6th for Overall Satisfaction in The National Student Survey (2011) ▲
• £3 million investment in new academic and student facilities
• Research expertise in climate modelling and statistics; control and
dynamics; systems biology; astrophysical fluid flows; number theory;
robotics; machine learning; and multi-objective optimisation
• A truly interdisciplinary approach to scientific research
• Wide range of exciting and high-impact research projects
• Strong links with external organisations including Motorola, Mouchel and
the Met Office in Exeter, including three joint professorships researching
weather and climate system modelling
Research areas
• artificial intelligence and information
engineering
• machine learning
• knowledge representation
• multi-objective and evolutionary
optimisation
• pattern recognition and computational
statistical modelling
• shape representation
• spatial and temporal logic
• nature-inspired computation
• hydroinformatics
key research theme: systems biology
Systems biology is an interdisciplinary,
emerging field which seeks to integrate
different hierarchies of biological information
such as DNA, RNA, proteins and small
molecules to provide new insight into the
organisation and operation of macromolecular
complexes, cellular signalling networks,
cells, organs or whole organisms. Such
studies necessitate the ability to capture
large, quantitative biological datasets
which are analysed and modelled through
multidisciplinary collaborations with
biologists, mathematicians, computer
scientists and engineers.
TAUGHT degrees
Exeter (Streatham Campus)
MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence
Theoretical and practical knowledge of AI
programming techniques, such as evolutionary
computation and neural networks, are now
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
• Professor Richard Everson and Dr Jonathan Fieldsend have developed a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for the
optimisation of the Short Term Conflict Alert (STCA) system. Described as a tremendous contribution to the safety of air
traffic services in the UK, the system is used by NATS to alert air traffic controllers of potential loss of separation between
aircraft, for operational planning of STCA systems across the UK airspace.
• Dr Ed Keedwell is exploring the application of computing techniques inspired by natural systems; such as the way in
which ants find food. With external partners including Mouchel Ltd and Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry,
Dr Keedwell is investigating the use of these techniques to optimise water distribution networks and to discover gene
regulatory networks and small changes in DNA, which have profound effects on human health.
• Geographical data provide particular challenges to information system developers. For example, many place names
do not correspond to precisely delineated regions and so cannot be represented using exact coordinates. Furthermore,
geographical entities and relationships undergo frequent change, leading to the problem of integrating the time
dimension into spatial information systems. Such problems are being investigated by Dr Antony Galton in collaboration
with Ordnance Survey.
widely assumed on the part of programmers
and researchers working in leading-edge
organisations. To reflect this, the MSc in
Applied Artificial Intelligence will equip you
with the skills and knowledge to stay at the
forefront of this rapidly developing area. It is
designed togive you the latest knowledge and
computational skills in the areas of machine
learning and intelligent discovery methods.
Example modules
• Pattern Recognition
• Intelligent Image Understanding
• Nature-Inspired Computation
MSc Information Technology
Management for Business
Taught in conjunction with the Business
School, this degree aims to prepare you for
management roles with an IT emphasis. It
is designed to give you the latest knowledge
and skills in the areas of computing and
management relevant to the provision of
high quality IT services in business settings.
The management aspects are focused on the
development of new business ideas and the
management of business change through the
Strategic Innovation Management module.
The programme incorporates a substantial
company project in which you will undertake
an IT management placement over the
summer with a company in a relevant field.
Example modules
• Managing IT Projects
• Internet Marketing in the Information
Society
• ITMB Case Studies
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