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Summary:
Applying through UCAS? Apply here (I4FY)
Course Code: I4FY
Applying through UCAS? Apply here (GH76)
Course Code: GH76
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Why choose the School of Computer Science and Technology
100% of our Construction and Engineering students are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2023)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council UK, our BSC Electronic Engineering fully meets the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer
Our Cybersecurity courses received 100% positive ratings when it came to teaching staff being good at explaining things, and for the course developing knowledge and skills for the future (NSS, 2023)
About the course
The idea that we can combine robotic systems with artificial intelligence to produce a new generation of workers and companions is no longer the stuff of science fiction – it’s science reality. This BCS-accredited course puts you at the heart of one of today’s most innovative fields.
Join one of the few UK university courses that combines study of artificial intelligence and robotics and learn how these two areas bring about vital breakthroughs in the world’s most advanced technological industries from medicine to entertainment.
The degree offers a solid conceptual grounding in intelligent systems alongside the chance to apply your knowledge in a practical setting designing building and testing robots. Areas of study may include: robot principles and design; software engineering; robot intelligence control; AI and mobile robots; and operational information security management.
The course is accredited by the British Computer Society.
Why choose this course?
- Benefit from studying in our modern STEM building (opened in 2019) with its specialised facilities including computer science and technology (CST) labs; machine workshop; product design lab; graphic development labs; and laser and optics lab
- Develop your practical skills using high-spec equipment such as humanoid robots robotic arms wheeled platforms and 3D printer
- Challenge your technical abilities by using the latest software to control robotic machines
- Learn from an experienced highly committed team of teaching experts actively involved in research
- Extend your knowledge and skills through attending CST events and conferences as well as entering industry-related competitions
- Progress to an exciting career in hardware and software industries; research and development; industrial production; computing; and engineering. You can also go on to postgraduate study in a related area
- Take the course over four years and complete a fee-free year in industry (see below) gaining experience building your CV and making contacts for the future
- If you need to step up into higher education start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees you a place on the degree course
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
Course Leader - Professor Dayou Li
Professor Dayou Li is a professor of Robotics and the Director of the Institute for Research in Applicable Computing at the University of Bedfordshire.
He obtained a BEng and MSc from the Northern Jiaotong University (China) and received his PhD at Cardiff University.
Professor Li has wide research and development experience in robotic systems, AI and nanotechnology.
He has led and participated in a number of EU-funded research projects under FP7 and H2020.
What will you study?
Engineering Mathematics
This unit introduces mathematical background knowledge that is used by electrical and electronic engineers. It helps you to establish an understanding of the mathematical concepts and also explains how mathematics is used to solve engineering problems. The unit offers opportunities for practical experience of carrying out mathematical calculations and evaluating the solutions, individually and within a team. It uses case studies to help you develop skills for modelling real-world problems using mathematical notation, and for solving engineering problems.
Mathematics And Concepts For Computational Thinking
Computational thinking is a basis for solving computer related problems.
This unit help you to develop the concepts of the computational thinking through converting theoretical knowledge of mathematics into practical skills of decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms which considered as the cornerstones of the thinking.
The concepts of the computational thinking will be applied to implement suitable solutions for developing software applications using a high-level programming language (such as Python).
Robot Principles And Design
This unit focuses on the mechanical structures of robots. It has two elements. One is mechanical principles including joints, links, transmissions and kinematics of robots, aiming to introducing the fundamentals to our students. The purpose of this part is to enable the students to understand how a robot as a mechanical device works. The other is a mini-project allowing the students to design the mechanical structures for their own robots and to implement the robots using 3D-printing. This part provides the students with an opportunity to apply the fundamentals to physical robot design and implementation. It also the opportunity for our students to develop hands-on experience with our state-of-the-art 3D printers and CAD software.
Principles Of Programming And Data Structures
Programming as well as the knowledge of commonly used data structures are fundamental skills for all computer science practitioners. In this unit we will transmit the programming skills required for a professional career in all computer science aspects. In particular, the aims of this unit are:
- To develop programming skills using a high level programming language.
- To explore the process of analysis, design, implementation and testing of systems.
- To apply knowledge in respect of modelling to real world problems and implement them using a programming language.
- To evaluate, critique and synthesise existing approaches to software development.
- To present commonly used data structures
Concepts And Technologies Of Artificial Intelligence
The unit engages students with the main concepts and technologies of Artificial Intelligence (AI) which are typically required to study advanced and specialised units within the AI related degrees. The unit mainly covers theoretical concepts of AI related to knowledge representation and management, logic inference and programming, statistical inference and classification, decision trees, genetic and evolutionary algorithms, artificial neural networks, heuristic search, intelligent agents and planning. These technologies are typically used to solve real-world problems. The unit aims to:
- give students understanding typical forms of knowledge representation and management
- develop students' skills in using logic inference and logical programming languages
- give students the theoretical bases and practical skills of statistical inference and classification, decision trees, genetic and evolutionary algorithms, artificial neural networks, and heuristic search
- introduce students to intelligent agents and planning
- give students understanding how AI technologies are used to solve real-world problems
Information Security
This unit provides students with the theoretical frameworks, foundations, and practical skills underpinning information security and related areas. The unit introduces students to the requirements and techniques for risk identification and assessment, and the elements of information security from business operational and technological perspectives. It provides students with the fundamentals of governance and compliance, threats, threat mitigations, the development of secure and resilient systems, and cybersecurity operations.
The unit aims to cover aspects of the industry professional certification CompTIA Security+.
Desktop Applications Development And Software Engineering
This unit aims to help you:
- To develop desktop applications in an object-oriented programming language with object-oriented analysis and design;
- To understand the process of modelling real world problems and systems in a programming language;
- To develop the students’ knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the software development process from an engineering viewpoint;
- To develop the students’ ability to analyse and apply a diverse range of concepts, principles and techniques to the whole software life cycle;
- To extend your knowledge and skills in advanced programming and software development methods
Robot Intelligent Control
Aims and Relevance Modern robots are operated using intelligent control. Robot reception provides environmental information based on which the robot make decisions on control actions. Actuation, on the other hand, delivers the control actions to manipulate the robots. This unit develops your knowledge and practical skills in the design and implementation of intelligent control, including sensors and sensing techniques, actuators and automatic control, for robotic systems. It will also develop your ability to communicate at a technical and scientific level. You will gain a theoretical understanding of mechanical, electronic, and computational intelligence principles of robotic. In practical sessions and workshops you will carry out (1) measurements, using suitable instrumentation, on sensors and actuators at component level and mechatronic systems at integrated level, (2) study issues of system design and integration design, evaluate and implement mechatronic / robotic systems, using suitable techniques and tools to select components, and to predict and evaluate the performance of robots. You will also implement and evaluate various programming and control systems for robot applications.
Research Methodologies And Emerging Technologies
This unit is designed for you to prepare for your honours project utilizing your subject experience from the first two years of your study. You will also asked to contextualize your project idea within current or emerging technologies, typically underpinned by academic publications and to do systematic market research that will equip you with a sound strategy on how to implement your honours project.
Agile Project Management
The material in this unit is carefully designed to meet students’ needs and requirements for their programme of study along with essential project management skills for their future employment. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of tools, techniques, methodologies and processes in the field of project management which encapsulate both modern and traditional approaches as an essential preparation for the dissertation stage. The unit also draws on expertise from other departments within the university including library services, the careers and employability service and the English language centre to support students in the best possible way.
Advanced Robotics
The aim of this unit is to develop your in-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experience on robotics technology, the awareness of the existing AI techniques for human-robot interaction and object/intention recognition, the capabilities of assessing the need for the techniques and available robotic systems development tools, as well as the capabilities of evaluating the solutions. This unit will also develop your awareness of safety and human factors regarding robotics applications.
Undergraduate Project
Whether you go on to further study or into employment one of the most important skills expected in an Honours Graduate is the ability to work autonomously. This unit is an ideal vehicle for the development of that skill.
You will typically implement the project proposal developed during the unit CIS013-3 Research Methods and Emerging Technologies (an alternative approach will be agreed with the unit coordinator and your project supervisor if you haven’t successfully completed CIS013-3 yet).
Although you will be working independently, you are expected to arrange regular meetings with your supervisor to guide and support you. You will apply coherently your technical, analytical, practical and managerial skills during your project development.
The project is an important opportunity to expand your experience in an area which is of close relevance to the course that you are studying (e.g. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, and Computer Games Development). Your project may be of relevance to a future employer, and will demonstrate your interest and ability in the chosen area. As such your project topic should be aligned with your career aspirations.
The following aims are addressed in particular:
- To provide you with an opportunity to work autonomously on a sustained piece of work.
- To develop your ability to manage a project from start to finish.
- To develop your ability to identify problems, analyse the requirements and produce and evaluate solutions.
- To develop your ability to work to the relevant academic and professional standards.
How will you be assessed?
This course emphasises the application of AI technologies and methodologies to modern robots that require a certain level of intelligence and the abilities to adapt themselves to environments. It is designed to develop your academic and vocational skills to pursue academic and professional careers in industry and in academia.
Completing graduates are expected to be able to:
- Be creative and judgmental
- Acquire knowledge and understanding of Robots and AI
- Apply such knowledge to analyse problems encountered and to develop and to evaluate possible robotic solutions
- Formulate correct procedure of problem solving Communicate findings to peers.
The journey of developing such abilities complies with a self-reflective professional development procedure starting from identifying career goal and the gap between the goal and the current levels of knowledge skills and capabilities for the students. Course units are designed to gradually fill in the gap from fundamental computational concepts and skills in Year One specialist concepts technologies and methodologies in AI and robotics in Year Two to more independent and creative skills of analysis modelling and solution synthesis and evaluation in Year Three.
Careers
Career opportunities for graduates of this course exist in software and hardware industries research and development; industrial production; computing; electronics and academia.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK 2024/25
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Merit Scholarship
We offer a Merit Scholarship to UK students, worth £2,400* over three academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 120 UCAS tariff points or more.
Bedfordshire Bursary
If you aren’t eligible for the Merit Scholarship, this Bursary is there to help UK students with aspects of student living such as course costs. The Bursary will give you £1,000* over three academic years, or £1,300* if you are taking your course over four academic years (including those with a Foundation Year).
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £15,500 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK 2024/25
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Merit Scholarship
We offer a Merit Scholarship to UK students, worth £2,400* over three academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 120 UCAS tariff points or more.
Bedfordshire Bursary
If you aren’t eligible for the Merit Scholarship, this Bursary is there to help UK students with aspects of student living such as course costs. The Bursary will give you £1,000* over three academic years, or £1,300* if you are taking your course over four academic years (including those with a Foundation Year).
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £15,500 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK 2024/25
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Merit Scholarship
We offer a Merit Scholarship to UK students, worth £2,400* over three academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 120 UCAS tariff points or more.
Bedfordshire Bursary
If you aren’t eligible for the Merit Scholarship, this Bursary is there to help UK students with aspects of student living such as course costs. The Bursary will give you £1,000* over three academic years, or £1,300* if you are taking your course over four academic years (including those with a Foundation Year).
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £15,500 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
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