MEng Artificial Intelligence

Cybernetics deals with systems and their control. These may be technological systems such as robots, biological such as the control of human body temperatures, or environmental as illustrated by the Gaia Hypothesis which states that the Earth itself is a self-regulating cybernetic system. Its study brings together several academic disciplines and spans subjects including robotic systems, biomedical engineering, computer science, information technology and engineering.

Students choose cybernetics at Reading because of the unique focus we place on the subject, the world renowned nature of our research into the subject, and the wide range of cutting-edge technologies you can learn. These include Autonomous Robots, Artificial Intelligence, Terahertz Radiation and Virtual Reality.

Have you ever wanted to make intelligent machines or explore human intelligence? This is a practical AI course where modern techniques such as evolutionary computation, naturally inspired algorithms and artificial neural networks are used to solve realworld problems beneficial to science, business and industry. The course aims to provide you with the skills you need to develop Machine Learning systems that have the intelligence to perform such things as instructing robots or controlling the Artificial Intelligence needed in the latest computer games. We also emphasise the animal side of intelligence, including psychology and cognition.

The MEng degree programme allows you study Artificial Intelligence in more depth and includes a range of additional modules as well as a six month industrial placement or research project in the fourth year.

What will you study?

Year 1

Programming
Software engineering
Computer applications
Engineering mathematics
Cybernetics and circuits
Fundamentals of computing

Year 2

System design and project management
Signal processing
Embedded microprocessors and digital systems
Databases
Neuroscience
Neural networks
Machine intelligence

Optional modules

Essential algorithms
Java
Robotic systems
Institution wide language programme

Year 3

Individual project
Social, legal and ethical aspects of science and engineering
Computer networking
Modern heuristics
Evolutionary computation

Optional modules

Law and management Machines in motion
Virtual reality
Multi agent systems
Image analysis
Sustainable electrical energy
Bionics
Data mining 

Year 4

Swarm intelligence and artificial life
Mind as motion
Advanced neural networks
Industrial project or both a research
project and research studies

Optional modules

Medical image and signal processing
Visual intelligence
Computational robotics
Practice of entrepreneurship

Key Information Set (KIS)

In Autumn 2012, you will see that every UK college and University is providing Key Information Set (KIS) information on their undergraduate course web pages (for both full and part-time courses.

This information is intended to help you make an informed decision about the Institutions you are interested in applying to by presenting a quick snapshot of standard course information. A direct link to the Unistats website will take you to the full list of key information for that course.

Find out more about Key Information Sets (KIS) at the University of Reading