Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons)

Artificial Intelligence – the capacity of machines to make decisions and learn from experience - is the future of complex decision making. Combining a mixture of robotics, artificial intelligence and computer science, this course will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to create smart solutions in commerce and industry.

Entry Criteria
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
Take your next steps
Contact us

Overview

The artificial intelligence industry is fast-growing and touches so many aspects of society, from business operations to our everyday lives. On this course you will gain a detailed understanding of artificial intelligence concepts and techniques, and learn to use this knowledge to address contemporary problems and challenges such as the use of microprocessor-based systems to control home appliances and the detection and resolution of collisions in applied mechanics.

You will develop fundamental skills, such as learning the powerful general-purpose programming language C++, and experience in-depth study of computer networks and systems. Using artificial intelligence code, you will learn how to control advanced mobile robots in our purpose-built laboratory.

Our modules are designed to focus on real-life industry scenarios to enhance your employability. On our Agile Methods module, you will gain experience in producing apps to specifications and learn how to negotiate between business clients and the development team.

You will also be able to enjoy projects and extracurriculars related to your course. Get involved with our dedicated Robot Club, where you will solidify your skills by instructing secondary school children on robotic construction, or take the opportunity to develop your own robot project, with the potential to compete in the annual international Robot Challenge in Vienna.

Key features

This course is accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional to raise your professional profile.
Benefit from teaching by experienced staff from our internationally recognised Institute of Artificial Intelligence that conducts world-leading research into artificial intelligence, computational intelligence and intelligent systems.
Enhance your practical and professional skills with work placement opportunities. Students have undertaken placements at companies such as IBM, Microsoft and PayPoint.
Access specialist facilities, including our Advanced Mobile Robotics and Intelligent Agents Laboratory, which contain a variety of mobile robots.
Put your skills into practice by taking part in the DMU Robot Club, with a chance to compete in an international robotics competition. Our students and staff have previously won prizes at the Robot Challenge in Vienna.
Expand your horizons and enrich your studies with a DMU Global experience. Students on related courses have tested their hacking skills at New York’s Spyscape Museum and networked with tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

“My time at DMU was very well spent in the robotics laboratory; I’ve learnt many new things that I couldn’t have without the time and in the specialist facilities with our lecturing staff. It is a fun, interesting and thought-provoking subject.”

Benjamin Falkner, Intelligent Systems BSc (Hons)

Please note, the title for this degree programme changed from Intelligent Systems BSc (Hons) in 2020.

This title change followed a review of the programme, and was made to better reflect the content on the programme and terminology used within industry, as well as to ensure that our students are well placed to secure graduate employment.

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UK
EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: I270

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding:

2024/25 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: I270

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees and funding:

2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £16,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

Find out about additional costs and optional extras.

Contact us: For more information complete our online enquiry form or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and Mathematicsor equivalent, plus one of the following:
Normally 104 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent or
BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM or
Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE. English and Mathematics GCSE required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course or
International Baccalaureate: 24+ points
Foundation Year in Computing: Pass Foundation, and progression is at the discretion of the programme leader. Refer to the Foundation team for further guidance.

Portfolio Required: No

Interview Required: No

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find our more about contextual offers.

English language

If English is not your first language then an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent) is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Structure and assessment

First year

Introduction to C++ Programming

Introduction to Object Oriented Programming in C++

Computer Ethics

Computer Law & Cyber Security

Computer Systems

Computer Networks

Mathematics for Computing

Database Design & Implementation

Second year

Core modules

Applied Mechanics

Artificial Intelligence for Simulation

Object-Oriented Programming in C++

Advanced Object-Oriented Programming in C++
3D Modelling

Introduction to Computational Intelligence and Control Systems

Optional Modules

Embedded Systems
Agile Methods

Third year

Core modules

Fuzzy logic and Knowledge Based Systems
Mobile Robotics
Computing Project*

Optional Modules

Secure Web Application Development

Multi-service Networks 1

Multi-service Networks 2

Front-end Web Development

Rigorous Systems

IT Services Foundations

IT Services Practice

Data Mining

Popular Technology Ethics

Big Data

Systems Integration

Systems Building: Methods and Management

See more detailed module information.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

*The accredited BCS programme requires that the third year computing project module is passed.

The course is taught by experienced staff from our Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI), an internationally recognised research centre that conducts industry relevant research into intelligent systems, and provides high-quality solutions to real-world issues. Due to the nature of robotics, in particular, and intelligent systems, you will meet with researchers with a diverse background ranging from theoretical computer science, to computational mathematics, and electronics. This will give you a versatile background which will allow you to appreciate the complexity of intelligent systems and find 'your way' in a professional career.

Furthermore, the wide selection of optional modules will allow you to realise, while you are studying, you subject preferences and inclinations and follow them. You will be able to choose the study plan and shape your professional background by emphasising the focus of your studies on programming, or on theoretical artificial intelligence, or applied robotics.

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. You will also experience collaborative and group-based learning, supervised project work and independent study.

You will normally attend around 12-16 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and can expect to undertake at least 24 further hours of directed independent study and assignments as required.

Assessment has been designed to match specific modules and will include timed tests, portfolios of work, laboratory exercises, written and oral examinations, individual and group work, project work, reports and presentations.

Facilities and features

Advanced mobile robotics and intelligent agents laboratory

Our advanced mobile robotics and intelligent agents laboratory contains a variety of mobile robots for teaching and research. Experience working with these will enhance your professional and practical skills for the workplace.

For human-machine interaction, facilities include HTC Vive and IoT development kits, Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices, wearable sensors, and a 3D scanner. Robotics equipment includes Lynxmotion robotic arms and a Hexapod robot, Waffle and Burger model Turtlebots, and a swarm of 20 kilobots. For general prototyping, Artificial Intelligence students can access a 3D printer, Raspberry Pi boards and various sensors, Arduino boards and sensors, and Lego EV3 kits.

The  Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI) conducts research into the use of computational intelligence techniques on mobile robots and has a collection of several types of robots for use in research and teaching.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Graduate Careers

This course will equip you to work in artificial intelligence in both the public and private sectors, in areas such as market intelligence, imaging techniques, data mining and in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Graduates wishing to specialise in robotics are well placed to pursue careers in mobile communications and gaming systems.

Our graduates go on to work for major companies such as IBM and Bullhorn Inc.

You will also be well positioned to continue your academic career by embarking on specialised postgraduate study, in either research or taught areas.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

Students on related courses have taken part in cyber challenges at the Spyscape Museum in New York and networked with tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley.

While overseas DMU Global opportunities are not currently possible, DMU will continue to review government advice and if travel is permitted, we hope to offer a small number of extra-curricular opportunities in the summer of 2021.

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Artificial Intelligence students have secured placements with leading companies and organisations such as Microsoft and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory for the Ministry of Defence.

Our careers programme DMU Works can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons)