MSc in Natural Computation

[John A Bullinaria]

                        MSc in Natural Computation
                        ==========================

                        School of Computer Science
                       The University of Birmingham
                              Birmingham, UK

Starting in October 2001, we are offering an advanced 12 month MSc
programme in Natural Computation (i.e. computational systems that use
ideas and inspirations from natural biological, ecological and physical
systems).  This will comprise of six taught modules in Neural Computation,
Evolutionary Computation, Molecular and Quantum Computation, Nature
Inspired Optimisation, Nature Inspired Learning, and Nature Inspired
Design (10 credits each); two mini research projects (30 credits each);
and one full scale research project (60 credits).

The programme is supported by the EPSRC through its Master's Level
Training Packages, and by a number of leading companies including BT,
Unilever, Nortel Networks, Thames Water, Pro Enviro, SPSS, GPU Power
Distribution, and aQtive.

The School of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham has a
strong research group in evolutionary and neural computation, with five
members of academic staff (faculty) and two research fellows currently
specialising in these fields:

 Dr. John Bullinaria (Neural Networks, Evolutionary Computation, Cog.Sci.)
 Dr. Jun He (Evolutionary Computation)
 Dr. Julian Miller (Evolutionary Computation, Machine Learning)
 Dr. Riccardo Poli (Evolutionary Computation, GP, Computer Vision, NNs, AI)
 Dr. Jon Rowe (Evolutionary Computation, AI)
 Dr. Thorsten Schnier (Evolutionary Computation, Engineering Design)
 Prof. Xin Yao (Evolutionary Computation, NNs, Machine Learning, Optimisation)

Other staff members also working in these areas include Prof. Aaron Sloman
(evolvable architectures of mind, co-evolution, interacting niches) and
Dr. Jeremy Wyatt (evolutionary robotics, classifier systems).

The programme is open to candidates with a very good honours degree or
equivalent qualifications in Computer Science/Engineering or closely
related areas.

Six fully funded EPSRC studentships (covering fees and maintenance costs)
are available each year, and additional financial support from our
industrial partners may be available during the main project period.

Further details about this programme and funding opportunities are
available from our Web-site at:

       		   http://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/natcomp

Please note that the closing date for applications is 15th July 2001.