Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) (with Placement Year)

You’ll gain a solid grounding in computer science and the integral elements of a computer system, before specialising in AI and the ways it can be applied.

We take an innovative, dynamic and highly participative approach to teaching. Our lecturers often have experience of working as consultants for major blue chip companies at home and overseas. Around 40 academic staff teach in the department. The research that the academic staff undertake is largely applied and spans areas that include Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Human-Computer Interaction, Software Engineering and Simulation.

The Department of Computer Science is a member of the Microsoft Alliance, the Apple iOS Academic Developer Programme and is an nVidia CUDA Teaching Centre.

Brunel has a strong heritage of technology and we have excellent infrastructure which includes more than 250 computers and servers for exclusive student use, all running state-of-the-art software.

You will have about 12 hours a week of directed study. Your tutors and lecturers are also happy to answer queries outside of class. In addition, you’ll be putting in about 25 to 35 hours of private study weekly.

Teaching is carried out via lectures, lab work, small group-work, and one-to-one sessions. Lectures offer a broad overview of key concepts and ideas allowing you to then pursue more in-depth study independently. Lab work helps you develop your technical skills to build software. You’ll do some individual work, but a tutor will be assigned to you to lead discussion on common issues, when they arise.

In the first and second years you’ll work in small groups on computing-related problems with regular guidance from a member of staff. These sessions enable you to develop key professional skills such as report-writing, evaluation, and communication skills. They also ensure continuity and help you get to know your tutor, which we think is important to help you feel supported, particularly in your first year.

In your final year you’ll normally have small group or one-to-one supervision for your major project. The department has a team of personal tutors, so there’s always someone available to discuss personal or academic problems. If you go on placement, your personal tutor will help you set objectives and monitor your progress – and provide further support if you need it.

Our Computer Science graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects. With the ability to handle the increasing demands of scientific, technological and commercial development in the 21st century, you'll be in high demand with the wide-ranging companies and organisations increasingly dependent on computer technology.

You might start out as:

• a general analyst
• a programmer
• or join a consultancy firm

These are often the first steps towards setting up your own business.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for household names including Microsoft, IBM and Toshiba.