MSc Computational Intelligence and Computational Biology

Taught master’s programmes in the Department of Computing utilise our research-active staff in conjunction with state-of-the-art facilities. We provide a range of learning experiences, including lectures, tutorials, directed study, practical laboratories and project work, which prepare graduates for their professional life.

We are particularly keen to develop, in all our students, a broad range of generic skills to complement the core technical or scientific competencies of their chosen subject area. Our modular programme format, coupled with the increasing use of innovative teaching and learning strategies such as e-learning and industrially focused short courses, provides a flexible study environment whilst maintaining academic rigour and quality. Our record of graduate employment is outstanding, with Surrey graduates consistently being in high demand across all sectors.

The MSc dissertation project makes up one third of the degree programme, starting at the end of the first semester and completing at the end of the summer. During the project, you are supervised by a member of academic staff to advise and guide you to completion. At the end of the project you must submit your bound dissertation, which forms a complete record of the project, which is then held in the University Library.

The project focuses in depth on a subject at the leading edge of computing. For example, projects can undertake the development of a software system to solve a particular problem, possibly in collaboration with an industrial partner.

Alternatively, projects can be research-based, in which case an aspect of computing is investigated, perhaps to evaluate particular techniques or propose a new algorithm. These projects are usually closely linked to the Department’s research strengths.

Whatever the topic, you are expected to develop a critical understanding of the methods and technologies needed, then implement and evaluate your chosen solution to a professional standard. Project planning and time management is an important part of the experience

• Brain–computer interfacing based on neurofeedback
• Fast and robust feature extraction for detection of bootlegged museum images
• Modelling neural plasticity for spatiotemporal pattern recognition
• Predicting suitable vaccines for foot-and-mouth disease virus based on genetic sequence
• Reconstruction of global regulatory networks governing the production of antibiotics in Streptomyces coelicolor bacteria
• Semi-supervised learning for brain–machine interface
• Surrogate-assisted evolutionary optimisation of expensive problems
• Synthesis of genetic dynamics using evolutionary algorithms

The Department offers four MSc programmes. Each with its own distinct focus, all of them offer a taste of the Department’s specialisms.

Internet Computing, Security Technologies and Applications, and Computational Intelligence and Computational Biology are technical degrees requiring a solid background in computing or a cognate discipline.

The MSc in Information Systems is a more generalist degree, accepting students from a wider range of backgrounds. It takes a more high-level, overall view of information technologies and prepares students for managerial rather than technical roles in their future careers. It covers business and management topics as well as technical computing subjects.

The MSc in Security Technologies and Applications is specialised towards the Department’s multiple activities in relation to the technologies and principles that underlie a variety of information security techniques and technologies.

The MSc in Internet Computing is concerned with distributed information and computing resources, and builds from the Department’s activities relating to the Web and the Cloud. The programme also has a strong element of more general, technical computer science and software development skills.

The MSc in Computational Intelligence and Computational Biology is the latest addition to the portfolio of programmes, following the appointment of a Professor of Computational Intelligence and the subsequent growth of a nature-inspired computing theme in the Department.

All of the programmes benefit from the strong research community and industrial partnerships of the Department. In particular, the dissertation project allows students to work on a topic in one of the key research areas. Even though the programmes share many modules, each has its own focus and direction.

Regardless of which programme you choose, we are committed to making your year at Surrey a valuable and enjoyable experience.

The Department of Computing is an active department within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. There are 19 full-time academic staff and around 400 students at all levels – from undergraduate through to PhD. The Department is proud of its friendly reputation and aims to provide a supportive environment for students. 

The Computing degree programmes at the University of Surrey and the all-round student experience are highly rated in the National Student Survey and league table results. The undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes are stimulating and challenging, with a high level of practical content. The Department is constantly exploring the use of new technology in teaching – such as podcasts and voting handsets – to support greater interactivity, accessibility and enjoyment of lectures. It also organises extra-curricular activities for those who want to explore other aspects of computing in more depth, while supporting local schools and colleges to bring some of the exciting aspects of computing to school pupils.

The Department’s research interests are many and varied, ranging across the research groups of Digital Ecosystems; Formal Methods and Security; Multimedia Security and Forensics; and Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering. With a strong research culture and a growing research profile, the Department of Computing has won several prizes, including the University Voting Systems Competition System Design award in 2007 and the prestigious Institution of Engineering and Technology Innovation in Engineering Security award in 2006.

The Department benefits greatly from strong links with industry, and our industry partners support the programme in various ways – some with guest lectures and some with prizes for the best student performance (typically £150–200 per prize).