Computer Science and Information Systems (PhD - MPhil)
ObjectivesStudents who successfully complete this MPhil or PhD degree will have gained expert knowledge in their chosen research area and the ability to perform research-led activities in a broader context. In addition, students who successfully complete the PhD degree will have gained the ability to identify and solve complex problems arising in their chosen research area, and will have made a substantial original contribution to this area.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements An advanced master’s or upper second-class degree in computer science.
Academic titleComputer Science and Information Systems (PhD / MPhil)
Course descriptionStaff research areas
There are two major research groups in the School: Information Management and Web Technologies; and Computational Intelligence. Research degree supervision extends to many branches of the subject, particularly: databases and knowledge bases; data integration; data mining; the interpretation of complex data; image analysis and retrieval; grid and P2P computing; bioinformatics; neural nets and evolutionary computation; logic modelling and semantic web; pervasive and mobile computing; web technologies; adaptive and self-organising systems; learning environments; software engineering; information systems; crime informatics; games; and the history of computing.
In 2004, the School set up the London Knowledge Lab, in collaboration with the Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology, and Culture, Language and Communication from the Institute of Education (IoE). The London Knowledge Lab brings together computer scientists from Birkbeck and social scientists from the IoE to explore the ways in which digital technologies and new media will shape the future of learning and knowledge.
Study resources
Study resources include a course on research methodologies for computer science and information systems, regular research seminars, and extensive computing facilities. As a research student, you will have 24-hour access to servers and networked PCs running a range of database, data mining and other specialist software.
The School of Computer Science and Information Systems is connected, via the SuperJANET network, to the computers of other academic institutions in London, elsewhere in the UK and abroad.