Undergraduate study

Overview

Dual Honours Smart Systems requires a solid grounding in Computer Science, and for that reason the course shares some modules with Dual Honours Computer Science. However, it is a specialist course for students with an interest in computational intelligence, with topics such as adaptive and evolutionary algorithms, neural networks, robotics, the similarities and differences between natural and synthetic intelligent systems and research and development in this exciting area.

We anticipate that some graduates of this course will move into research and development jobs in industry, or advance to PhD study in this area within Keele’s Computational Intelligence and Cognitive Science Research Group or elsewhere. Other graduates will move into employment that is directly computing-related, for example as systems analysts, software engineers and consultants with a specialist knowledge of smart systems. In some cases the research or employment sector may also relate to another Dual Honours degree subject, which will enable our students to offer a unique blend of skills.

The BSc Dual Honours Smart Systems course is suited to those students who would like to study Smart Systems with a second subject (see list) in equal weight for three years and so gain a deep understanding of a domain that either compliments the discipline or to which they can then apply their computing knowledge, for example in their final year project or subsequent career. The course explores the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline and places an emphasis on the practical design and development of smart systems such as those based on evolutionary algorithms, neural networks, vision systems and robotics, their scientific and industrial applications and research. It is delivered by the School of Computing and Mathematics.

All Dual and Single Honours Computing courses, including Smart Systems, have a common first semester and common entrance requirements. This retains flexibility of choice during the first semester of the first year. There are no specific subject requirements for entry to our computing courses, and no previous experience of computing or computer programming is assumed. The courses do not involve an advanced level of mathematics, and any mathematical knowledge needed beyond that GCSE level is taught as part of the modules included in the courses.

The content of final year modules reflects and is informed by the research interests of teaching staff, discipline and industry trends and market requirements, giving you an opportunity to explore topics at the leading edge of the discipline.

Course Content

First Year

Core modules:

Fundamentals of Computing introduces the core concepts of the discipline, and acts as a foundation for other modules covering these topics in more detail. It enables you to understand the links between individual modules on your course, and to understand them properly in context.

Programming I introduces the fundamental concepts underlying computer programming together with techniques for applying these using a contemporary programming language. The module has a strong practical element.

Programming II teaches you about the use of data structures and algorithms as a means of incorporating and processing data and knowledge within programs. You will have ample opportunity to develop and practice your general-purpose computer programming skills so that in the future you are able to develop your own software solutions to problems.

Information Systems and Interaction provides students with an introduction to Information Systems and an opportunity to apply the knowledge and understanding they gain to a practical task. It also explores the human–computer interface and introduces concepts, techniques and tools that support the design of system interfaces. The main focus is on web interfaces.

Second Year

You will take the first three and either the fourth or fifth of the following modules:

Requirements, Evaluation and Professionalism develops skills in the design and execution of empirical studies to gather evidence about software systems, methods and processes. It also covers requirements engineering and enables you to recognise the professional, economic, social, environmental and ethical issues involved in the development and use of computer technologies.

Computational Intelligence I provides an introduction to the core computational intelligence topics of evolutionary algorithms and neural networks, their use in vision systems and robotics and the similarities and differences between natural and synthetic intelligent systems.

System Lifecycles and Design provides you with knowledge of the techniques and processes to undertake the design of a system once requirements and analysis activities have been completed.

Advanced Programming Practices provides an understanding of object-oriented programming and its concepts, with particular emphasis on advanced features of Java and their applications.

Virtual Worlds introduces virtual worlds and their uses in business and education, showing how they can be used as an effective tool for conducting business and delivering learning resources.

Third Year

You study a selection of more advanced and specialist modules. You also undertake an individual project that continues throughout the year under the supervision of a member of staff, culminating in a written dissertation. Dual Honours Smart Systems students take the first and choose two additional of the following modules:

Computational Intelligence II expands on the computational intelligence themes introduced earlier in the course. It enables you to explore in greater depth, selected research-led topics at the forefront of current thinking in the rapidly evolving computational intelligence field. On completion of this module good students will be well placed to pursue further research in industry or in academia, for example as PhD students.

Double-weighted Project enables you to undertake a project equivalent to two standard (15-credit) modules rather than one. This option can be used to tackle a larger or more complex problem.

Software Engineering Project Management provides an understanding of the scope of, and problems and techniques associated with, software engineering project management.

Games Computing delivers comprehensive knowledge of a games engine and the theory and practice of computer game design, and explores the human factors involved in game design and interactive media environments.

IT Architectures delivers the concepts, methods and tools involved in the IT architecture discipline, and examines the role of IT architects and software architecture within development projects. The module also outlines current architectural developments, such as service-oriented architectures. You will gain practical experience by undertaking a case study.

Communications and Networks extends your knowledge of principles and practice in communications and computer network technologies and their deployment.

Additional computing modules may be available to students whose other Dual Honours subject allowed them to elect to take the relevant precursor computing modules in their first and second years; see the Single Honours Computer Science entry.

Codes and Combinations

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours course can be combined with:

For overseas students who do not meet direct entry requirements, we offer the opportunity to take an intensive International Year One in Computing leading to second year degree entry. 

Foundation course available:

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and teaching take place in a range of settings, from individual supervision for final-year projects and weekly tutorials, to lectures with 100 or more students present. In the first two years Dual Honours students usually have four one-hour lectures, a one-hour tutorial or workshop and three hours of supervised practical classes each week, as part of their Computer Science studies; and Single Honours students approximately twice that. Third-year modules are taught by lectures, with some tutorial and laboratory work in certain options. In the final year students will also have regular one-to-one meetings with their project supervisor.

Students will be expected to spend a significant amount of time on their practical and tutorial assignments and private study. They will be encouraged to make use of the learning and teaching support that allows them to ask for help with any aspect of the course with which they are having problems, including any of the practical and coursework assignments.

Assessment methods vary from module to module, but we make use of both formal examinations and several types of coursework. Most modules use a mixed assessment system involving an examination, typically two hours long, and some coursework, which could be a practical assignment tackled in students' own time, a laboratory or tutorial exercise, or occasionally an essay. Students will also have the opportunity to work as part of a group, which will provide valuable experience for future employment. In the course as a whole, approximately half of the assessment is coursework or project-based, and half by examination. Assessment from modules in the second and third year counts towards your final degree classification. The project forms an important part of the final year’s assessment.

Computing facilities

The practical work for the course will be based mainly in the school’s own networked PC laboratories, with some modules using the Microsoft Windows operating system and some using Linux. The software supported includes the Java object-oriented programming language, Internet and multimedia packages, and database management systems. Web authoring software and languages, including Python, Perl, PHP and XML, are also supported.

Access to undergraduate computer equipment and network services is available both physically and by remote terminal access, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, throughout most of the year. This gives students every opportunity to develop their computing skills outside the normal practical times and to work on more complex projects at any time. Additional laboratory facilities are provided for final year projects with specialised hardware and software.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

95% of Keele Computing graduates were in work or further study six months after finishing their course.

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Smart Systems and Neuroscience (or Biology)

Smart Systems are often inspired by nature: the terms 'natural computation' and 'biologically inspired computation' are often used in relation to computational intelligence. Advances in our understanding of the working of natural adaptive and intelligent systems such as evolution, the brain and nervous system, lead to and increasingly are informed by advances in our understanding of how to develop synthetic adaptive and intelligent agents and systems. In addition, computational intelligence techniques are increasingly being applied within bioinformatics and biomedical engineering. Graduates with the ability to work across and between these disciplines will be well equipped for research and development careers.

Smart Systems and Mathematics

Mathematics is a popular combination with Smart Systems. Mathematics complements Smart Systems in two ways: first through Operational Research which complements the evolutionary and other Computational Intelligence methods for finding optimal solutions to practical problems in business, engineering and science; and second through statistics and mathematical modelling, which are useful tools in advancing Computational Intelligence research and developing solutions. Graduates with a background in this combination of subjects are very attractive to both industry and academic research departments.

This course features a range of cutting-edge approaches to computational intelligence. Final year students can work under the supervision of a member of the School’s Computational Intelligence and Cognitive Science research group, for example on a research-based
neuroevolution or robotics projects.