Academic Regulations 2004/5
School of Electronics & Computer Science

MSc Biologically Inspired Computing

Programme Structure

The programme has a number of compulsory taught units. Units can be single or double-weighted. Each successfully completed unit is worth 10 credits; double units are worth 20 credits. The MSc requires you to complete 120 credits of taught units. You then undertake a research project leading to a dissertation worth a further 60 credits. Appendix 1 shows the compulsory taught units for the programme. All MSc units are at Masters level (level M).

The normal pattern of study is as follows:

Semester 1 6 single units including:
Research Methods for Software Engineering
Data Handling
From Molecules to Cells - the Computational Perspective
Brain and Cognition: A Computational Perspective
Algorithmic Strategies in Animal Behaviour
Concepts and Models of Evolutionary Biology

Assessment is through a mixture of coursework and written examination.
Semester 2 1 double unit and 4 single units including:
Project I : Preparation
Evolutionary Computing and Optimisation
Neural Networks and Machine Learning
Biologically Inspired Robotics
Approaches and Uses of Biologically Inspired Computing

These units are assessed mainly through coursework.
Summer/Semester 3 Following the successful completion of the taught component of the programme, you will undertake the research project begun in the course Project I. The main part of the project (Project II) will last 3 to 4 months and is assessed by a 15,000 word dissertation.

Examinations are held at the end of Semester 1 (January) and at the end of Semester 2 (May). The progression rules for MSc courses in the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics apply. If you do not pass at the first attempt you will be referred in all failed subjects over the summer. Students who have successfully completed 60 or 120 credits worth of taught material may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma respectively.

Your research project will enable you to explore in depth some aspect of biologically inspired computing: for example, you might investigate and evaluate a new optimisation algorithm derived from models of evolutionary development. At the start of Semester 2, projects will be presented and you will be matched with a project and a project supervisor with whom you will meet and agree a project brief and plan. These will be developed during the Project I course in conjunction with the industrial partner if appropriate. The course would require you to submit a literature reivew and detailed description of the project, as well as presenting the overview to a panel. You will have weekly meetings with your supervisor or, if your supervisor is unavailable, a delegated deputy. Your dissertation is due by the end of September; late submissions will be penalised unless an extension of this deadline has been agreed in writing by the project co-ordinator.

The table below shows the overall structure and exit points:

Examinations
Dissertation
Exit Points
Semester 1: Oct-Jan
end-Jan
PG Certificate (60 credits)
Semester 2: Feb-May
end-May
PG Diploma (120 credits)
Project: June-Sept
end-Sept
MSc (180 credits)

Appendix 1: MSc Biologically Inspired Computing Taught Units

Semester 1 Units

Module Title
Code
Credits
Coursework
Biology in the Lab
0
Research Methods for Software Engineering COMP6008
10
100%
Data Handling
10
TBD
From Molecules to Cells - the Computational Perspective
10
TBD
Brain and Cognition : A Computational Perspective
10
TBD
Animal Behaviour : an Algorithmic Perspective
10
TBD
Concepts and Models of Evolutionary Biology
10
TBD

All of the units are compulsory.

Semester 2 Units

Module Title
Code
Credits
Coursework
Approaches and Uses of Biologically Inspired Computing
10
TBD
Project I : Preparation
10
TBD
Evolutionary Computing and Optimisation
10
TBD
Neural Networks and Machine Learning
10
TBD
Biologically Inspired Robotics ELEC6087
20
100%
Biology in the Lab
0

All of the units are compulsory.