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Postgrad in Computer Science vs Intelligent and Adaptive Systems (AI)

I have an undergrad in psychology, but want to transition a bit into the tech industry, in part because of interest, in part just because it'll give me a bit more "tangible" skills that might get me a career.

I'll admit right away that my goals are a bit vague, and I'm trying to figure out what the best path is for me. I have received offers to do masters courses in computer science at Bath (which has an optional module on AI), Newcastle, and Birmingham, but then I've also been offered a place in Sussex, on a course called Intelligent and Adaptive Systems.

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/engineering-and-informatics/intelligent-and-adaptive-systems-msc

This Systems course involves computational math, programming, and machine learning, and then you can choose whether to focus on NLP or animal/robot intelligence, stuff like that. So basically it's a course quite specialised in AI/Machine learning, from what I can tell.

Computer science courses seem to be a bit more focused just programming and software engineering, and databases and networks.

Does anyone have an idea of what might be the better option, career-wise? I am thinking of doing a PhD after, so that I can actually spent a couple of years using what I've learned and improving my employability. For the PhD, I would really like for it to involve some kind of machine learning, AI, or robotics. What I'm wondering is whether the Systems course would give me an advantage, or whether a CS degree would be just as useful? And if either is good, is it safe to say that if I'm doing a PhD after, my focus for the masters (CS vs AI) isn't really that important?

Any feedback would be appreciated.
Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert, I am just a student going into his 3rd year in ComSci who has been researching Masters degrees for a year or so.

So I am very interested in the Sussex course myself, and I do believe that it is the best choice for you, for a couple reasons.

Firstly, they teach you the mathematical foundation required for study in AI/Robotics/Complex Systems. I don't know how strong your mathematical ability is, but I am assuming that your Psychology course had less maths in say a Computer Science course, and most definitely less than any Engineering or Physical Science discipline. This course would definitely get you up to speed.

Secondly, there seems to be an emphasis on the biological/psychological aspects, in which I'm sure you'd thrive and find interesting. They seem to have a good research group on the topics that you're interested in too, with many sub groups within which cater to specific interests, probably something you should look into.

Thirdly, the topics covered is quite vast. You get exposed to Machine Learning, Bio/Psychological models of AI, Complex Systems, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Life etc. So you'll get a wide range of experience.

I also do not think that you'd be disadvantaged at all for applying to PhDs with the Sussex MSc, quite the contrary I'd feel. From what (little) I understand of PhDs, your research interests and experience should be aligned with the program that you're applying to, so it seem advantageous to have a more specific Masters rather than just a general one. You would also be more well-equipped to write a good research proposal.

I do have a question for you, where did you do your bachelors and what did you get (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm just trying to evaluate that chance of me getting into the course too, haha.

Best of luck!
Reply 2
Original post by TasteLikeChicken
Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert, I am just a student going into his 3rd year in ComSci who has been researching Masters degrees for a year or so.

So I am very interested in the Sussex course myself, and I do believe that it is the best choice for you, for a couple reasons.

Firstly, they teach you the mathematical foundation required for study in AI/Robotics/Complex Systems. I don't know how strong your mathematical ability is, but I am assuming that your Psychology course had less maths in say a Computer Science course, and most definitely less than any Engineering or Physical Science discipline. This course would definitely get you up to speed.

Secondly, there seems to be an emphasis on the biological/psychological aspects, in which I'm sure you'd thrive and find interesting. They seem to have a good research group on the topics that you're interested in too, with many sub groups within which cater to specific interests, probably something you should look into.

Thirdly, the topics covered is quite vast. You get exposed to Machine Learning, Bio/Psychological models of AI, Complex Systems, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, Artificial Life etc. So you'll get a wide range of experience.

I also do not think that you'd be disadvantaged at all for applying to PhDs with the Sussex MSc, quite the contrary I'd feel. From what (little) I understand of PhDs, your research interests and experience should be aligned with the program that you're applying to, so it seem advantageous to have a more specific Masters rather than just a general one. You would also be more well-equipped to write a good research proposal.

I do have a question for you, where did you do your bachelors and what did you get (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm just trying to evaluate that chance of me getting into the course too, haha.

Best of luck!


Thanks for the response! You make some very good points, I think the maths teaching will be quite useful, and indeed the specialisation of this course might give me an edge for a variety of PhD projects. And of course, there's a lot of relevant research going on at the uni.

Unfortunately, finding accommodation there seems like a real challenge, especso unless I luck out I might be forced to do CS instead. At least the course in Bath is relatively math heavy, and has an optional module on AI. Psychology did not involve any real math, so I'm trying to get up to speed on algebra and calculus on Khan Academy.

I got my undergraduate degree at Plymouth University. So, hardly a prestigious institution, but I did get an overall mark of 76, and won an award for my final project. I'm also just finishing a masters degree in psychology at Bath uni, I don't know if this helped me. Obviously I'm not in admissions, but I think you'd be much more likely to get in with a decent CompSci degree, so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Unfortunately, my chances of going seem slim at this point, but I'll probably apply for a PhD on the Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme next year.

Thanks again for your response, and good luck with your final year!

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