www.inf.ed.ac.uk inside information : studying informatics in edinburgh
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www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Inside Information: Studying Informatics in Edinburgh
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Degrees in the School of Informatics
Single honours degrees:
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Science
Joint degrees with:
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Physics
• Management
• Electronics
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
What is Informatics?• The science of information – how natural and artificial systems
process, store and communicate information
• Informatics includes Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science
• Computational thinking applies to systems, biology, language, and thought itself
• Information is everywhere
"In their capacity as a tool, computers will be but a ripple on the surface of our culture. In their capacity as intellectual challenge, they are without precedent in the cultural history of mankind."
Edsgar Dijkstra, 1930--2002
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Information is everywhere
• Huge increase in information capture
• All settings: work, home, leisure, …
• 21m UK households - 83% of homes - now have an internet connection, compared with 54% in 2006
• Underpins stock markets, communications, industry, science and entertainment
• Embedded in devices: mobiles, MP3 players, games consoles, security systems, cars …
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Computing for business and commerce
• Financial Services – service manufacture
• Entertainment industry
• Security and safety
• World wide web
• Enabling global collaboration
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Computing for science and engineering
• Climate modelling
• In-silico drug design
• Materials science
• Design and testing of vehicles, buildings …
• Modelling whole organisms
• Modelling human intelligence
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Human information handling
• The brain inspires new ways to process information
• Modern imaging is a key tool and challenge
• Neuroinformatics: a new science built on Edinburgh’s strengths in Biology, Medicine and Informatics
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Why study Informatics?
• Interesting
• Challenging
• Interdisciplinary
• Science in its own right
• With lots of practical applications
• Wide range of careers will be open to you
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Skills
• Logical thinking
• Problem analysis and solution
• Project management
• Business skills
• Programming (of course!)
• Not just using a computer but making computers do new things
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Alumnus Profile: Alex Healing• Graduated with Artificial Intelligence and
Computer Science in 2005
• Currently working as Principal Technology Researcher at BT
• In 2012 received ‘Young IT Professional of the Year’ Award at UK IT Industry Awards
• Work is focused on new online security tool that could help lead the fight against cyber attacks
“The high level of practical, hands-on group working at Edinburgh was both great fun and incredibly useful.”
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Careers• Our reputation means our graduates are
highly regarded by employers
• 70% of our graduates go into employment in many different areas:
– Media
– User-friendly technology
– Mobile systems
– Medicine
• Average starting salary is above average at £30,000
• Almost 20% of our graduates go on to further study!
Types of jobs:
database administrator, information systems manager, applications developer, IT consultant, multimedia programmer, network engineer, systems business analyst, systems designer, etc…
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Why study Informatics in Edinburgh?• Best and largest informatics department in
the UK
• 220 research staff, over 350 postgraduate students, 400 undergraduates
• Classed as ‘excellent’ for teaching quality
• Edinburgh came top in the last two Research Assessment Exercises
• We contribute 10% of the UK's world-leading research in the Computer Science and Informatics Unit of Assessment - 69% more than our nearest competitor!
• We attract the brightest and best from all over the world – we have students from over 60 countries outside the UK
• Just awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Why study Informatics in Edinburgh?
• Wide choice of degrees
• Most degrees accredited by the British Computer Society and may also be recommended for Chartered Engineer Status (CEng)
• Flexible degree structure
• Wide choice of honours courses, many unique
• You will be taught by the leaders in the field
• You will study a fascinating subject in the UK’s best department and in one of the world’s most beautiful cities!
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Why study Informatics in Edinburgh?• Excellent network of support for our
students
• Personal Tutor
• Dedicated administrative team - Informatics Teaching Organisation
• CompSoc – a student-led network of support
• Hoppers – a student-led organisation for women in technology
• Excellent facilities - 24-hour access computing labs
• Excellent links to industry
• £8.4M investment in commercialisation and entrepreneurship training
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Industry links = Opportunities for you
• Scholarships are available from KAL and Bank of America of £1,000 per year
• Prizes
• Paid 1 year long work placements between 3rd and 4th year
• Internships
• Sponsorship for research projects
• Regular recruitment presentations from major employers
• Dedicated Commercialisation team who can help turn your idea into a start- up company
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Degrees in the School of Informatics
Single honours degrees:
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cognitive Science
Joint degrees with:
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Physics
• Management
• Electronics
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Typical degree structure
120 credits per year
40 credits 40 credits 40 credits
1st year Informatics Mathematics joint subject or course of your choice
2nd year up to 80 credits Informatics
Mathematics and/or joint subject
3rd year Specialist honours courses, including a major group project
4th year More honours courses
Emphasis on project work & dissertation
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Masters of Informatics (MInf)• 5-year degree
• Matches the Bologna structure signed by all EU member states
• Greater emphasis on project work in years 3-5
• Masters level courses in the final year
• Increased mobility within Europe for both higher education and employment
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Examples of honours courses
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Computer Communications and Networks
• Computer Security
• Database Systems
• Enterprise Computing
• Automated Reasoning
• Cognitive Modelling
• Operating Systems
• Computer Graphics
• Data Integration and Exchange
• Embedded Software
• Energy Aware Computing
• Formal Programming Language Semantics
• Parallel Programming Languages and Systems
• Theories of Mind
• Advanced Vision
www.inf.ed.ac.uk
Visit our facilities & talk to our staff and students
• Talk to staff at our enquiries desks
• Talk to our students
• Tours available at enquiries desk