MSc in Cognitive Computing, Goldsmiths, University of London

MSc in Cognitive Computing

Length:
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Applying:

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Entrance requirements:

You should have an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard with maths at GCSE or equivalent. In exceptional circumstances, outstanding practitioners or individuals with strong commercial experience may be considered. If your first language is not English, you should normally have a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS (including 7.0 in the written element) or equivalent. Find out more about our English Language requirements.

The modular structure and choices provided by this programme enable it to be equally accessible and challenging to students with a background in the pure sciences, the applied engineering sciences (including computing) and the arts/humanities (including psychologists, linguists and anthropologists). The award of MSc emphasises the technical focus to the interdisciplinary content of the degree.

Funding:
Students are encouraged to apply for travel funds and/or bursaries to attend International Summer Schools in related areas such as (i) The Barcelona Cognition, Brain and Technology summer school and (ii) The European Summer School of Life and Cognition.

Careers:
The programme is primarily intended for graduates who wish to develop careers in cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human-computer interfaces (HCI) and computing. It also provides an excellent foundation for further research in these areas at postgraduate level. Transferable skills in object oriented programming will open doors to careers in the software industry, while advanced skills in neural networks and artificial intelligence can be applied to a variety of careers where the automation of intelligent action is useful (for example, market prediction in the City; computer games; intelligence and security).

Skills:
The programme will provide students with market-led practical skills in object oriented programming and the technologies of thought, alongside core conceptual understanding of cognitive processes and rigorous research and analytical skills.

Fees:
Please see Tuition fees.

Further information:

You can watch a video featuring a student project on YouTube. Previous student projects have included work on: robot ethics; financial time series prediction; swarm intelligence; ant algorithms; artificial life; the prisoners dilemma; game playing; eye tracking user interface; brain rehabilitation software; intelligent tutoring systems; adaptive hypermedia; intelligent learning environments.

Staff research interests:
Please see Staff research interests.

Contact the department:
Contact Professor Mark Bishop

About the department:
Computing

Download a booklet [PDF, 497KB]

The MSc in Cognitive Computing has been specifically developed to take graduates from a wide range of backgrounds and critically introduce them to classical computational models of cognition and artificial intelligence in the context of a broad exploration of radical new theoretical approaches, characterised by their emphasis on embodiment, enactivism and European phenomenology.

The aim of this programme is to produce graduates who have a deep conceptual understanding of cognition and the mind. Our graduates leave the programme with solid understanding of:

The computing machine: both at a conceptual level (including knowledge of what such machines are and what they fundamentally can and cannot do) and at a practical level (by developing programming skills to solve complex tasks, using modern object oriented programming methodologies)
Artificial intelligence and neural networks; developing skills at applying these 'technologies of thought' to solve complex tasks that would otherwise require human-like 'intelligence' to complete
Classical theories of mind – from dualism to functionalism and connectionism – and understanding the representational (and computational) foundations of this theory; understanding criticisms of computational and representational theories
The modern embodied, embedded, enactive vision of cognition; the expression of cognition via interplay of agent and environment interaction
Advanced skills in critical thinking and analysis; academic writing and presentation skills

About the Department of Computing

What you study

The programme will consist of the following compulsory courses, covering topics including: computing machinery and intelligence (the fundamentals of computing, program speedup, limitations of computing, what is a computer?); the philosophy of artificial intelligence (critical review of key papers in the foundations of artificial intelligence); problems with computationalism (review of critiques by Dreyfus, Searle, Varela, Brooks, Penrose, Putnam, van Gelder, and more).

The Computer and the Mind
Consciousness and Computations
Embodiment and Enactivism
Advanced Topics in Cognitive Computing

In addition, you will take one of the following compulsory courses:

Introduction to Programming
Programming for the Artists
Advanced Programming

You can also select two optional 15 credit courses (or one 30 credit course). Such options may include:

Artificial Intelligence
Neural Networks
Physical Computing
Semantic Web
Workshops in Creative Coding
Artificial Intelligence for Games and Special Effects

Assessment

Throughout the programme, individual modules will be assessed by formative and summative assignments. In addition to these small assignments, you will complete a major project in the summer term. This is a large-scale piece of work which should integrate what you have learned throughout the programme. It provides students with an opportunity to independently tackle a large project that reflects real world software development.

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.