Computer Science

Description

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Research Areas

PhD supervision is organised into five main research groups, each encompassing a number of leading-edge topics. The groups are:

Biology, neuroscience and computing

Bioinformatics; synthetic biology; software systems for bioinformatics; integrative computational biology; bio-ontologies; bio-inspired computation; computational modelling of biological systems; computational neuroscience; analysis and modelling of complex systems (Dr P Andras, Dr J Hallinan, Dr M Kaiser, Dr P Lord, Professor A Wipat).

Concurrent asynchronous systems

Theoretical aspects of concurrency; higher-order algebraic methods; analysis and development of concurrent systems; formal methods for VLSI; formal methods for systems biology; support systems for formal development of software.

Dependability

Technologies for resilient systems; system and information security; password technologies; fault-tolerant architectures; dynamic systems and reconfiguration for dependability; interdisciplinary approaches to dependable systems; formal development methods and tools.

Humancomputer interaction

User-centred computing; ubiquitous computing; user experience analysis; life experience enhancing and improving applications for the elderly and people with cognitive impairment; immersive technologies; digitally supported social inclusion; psychological, sociological and anthropological aspects of humancomputer interactions.

Systems

Middleware for service-oriented computing; computer networks; distributed virtual environments; protocols, algorithms and services for security and reliability; quality-of-service management; ad-hoc networks and applications; game technologies; virtual environments; mobile computing; enterprise computing; probabilistic modelling, performance evaluation and optimisation of computer systems; distributed, grid and peer-to-peer databases; frameworks for e-science; human-computer interaction in mobile and pervasive systems; ambient intelligence; ubiquitous systems.

There are also cross-cutting research themes that involve staff from several research groups including: complex systems; cultural computing; security; e-science; pedagogical research; and cybercrime.

For more information about staff specialisms please see the School's website.

Contents

The School of Computing Science offers an exciting environment for graduate students in its five research groups and its recognised specialist centres. The School has consistently been awarded high research ratings in national and international assessments. The PhD provides substantial training in research methods and tools and gives you an opportunity to make a unique contribution to computer science research. You work under the guidance of an experienced computer scientist within a research group and with the support of a team of advisers. Before you begin, you choose a broad area of interest within computing science and a supervisor with appropriate expertise.

The first year involves background research to help you identify an open research question and to formulate an approach to answering it; you also take short courses on research skills, innovation and career development. Following approval of your detailed research topic, the remaining time is spent conducting your supervised programme of research, and writing a thesis which is assessed in an oral examination. The MPhil programme provides a grounding in research skills and works towards a thesis which shows self-direction and originality in solving research-related problems.

Our Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School also provides training in professional/key skills and research techniques, supports personal development, hosts postgraduate events and has links with several specialist graduate training networks.

Requirements

An upper-second-class Honours degree and/or a merit at masters degree, or international equivalent, in computer science or a related discipline.

Applicants whose first language is not English require IELTS 6.5, Pearson's PTE Academic Test 62 or equivalent.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme, applicants will be informed of this in the offer letter.

English Language Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa.

The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.