MSc Poster and Demo Session 2015

In September 2014 a diverse group of students commenced their studies on our MSc portfolio. Some are pictured below at our annual welcome reception.

MSc and PhD students enjoy some rare September sunshine

Postgraduate welcome reception 2014

Fast forward to August 2015 and after a year of hard work, and an intensive summer dissertation project, they submitted their dissertation. Today they presented their posters and demonstrated project artefacts.

The eventful poster session provided the perfect occasion for students to meet with second markers, reflect upon their MSc journey and appreciate the projects completed by their peers.
Congratulations to Milena Marzluff, who will receive the coveted amazon voucher for best poster.

We wish them all, every success with future plans, and look forward to seeing them again at November graduation.

IVF-predict: Predicting Personalised IVF Success

The IVF-predict application has been designed based on years of academic research carried out by top medical and academic laureates. Using data from more than 144,000 IVF cycles a mathematical model has been developed that allows couples to have the most accurate prediction of their chance of a live birth with IVF.

In conjunction with Dr Tom Kelsey here in the school of Computer Science, the complex formula has been transformed into a smartphone application based, calculator presented in just 9 simple steps.

The personalised, accurate and validated app has been designed to give couples the most accurate value (in %) which represents the rate of a successful outcome if they decide to undergo the IVF process. No other model predicts your chance of success with IVF taking into account your personal medical history. In addition, the application does not transmit any data outside of the device (see Privacy Policy), any data generated or calculations is stored on your device.

The research underpinning IVF-predict has now been published in the highly prestigious medical journal PLOS Medicine and is available for free download.

Find out more about IVF-Predict on the dedicated website, download the app for android or iOS and watch a short demonstration video on youtube.

PhD Viva Success: Ward Jaradat

Congratulations to Dr Ward Jaradat, who successfully defended his PhD thesis last week. He was supervised by Dr Adam Barker. Prof. Omer Rana from Cardiff University and Dr Stuart Purdie acted as External and Internal Examiner respectively.

PhD Viva Success

Congratulations to Dr Luke Hutton, who successfully defended his PhD thesis earlier today. He is pictured below with Supervisor Dr Tristan Henderson, External Examiner Prof. Bernd Stahl from De Montfort University and Internal Examiner Prof. Ian Gent.

Graduation 2015: A Computer Science Symposium with Dr Vint Cerf

The University of St Andrews awarded Dr. Vint Cerf, a founding father of the Internet, an honorary doctorate alongside our graduating students last week. In advance of this, the School of Computer Science organised a one day symposium entitled “The Internet at 100” that encompassed a host of prominent speakers and closed with “Digital Dark Age? Digital Vellum”. The Keynote by Dr Cerf contemplated that the information we have now might be lost unless we plan carefully for the longevity of the applications and data that we use today.

The interesting and thought provoking talks challenged a diverse range of Internet related research absorbing video, the technology and politics of privacy and surveillance, things and sensors, research directions and a true history of the Internet were considered by Dr Colin Perkins, Prof Ian Brown, Prof Julie McCann, Dr Lars Eggert and Prof Jon Crowcroft respectively.

Read more about the schedule and the speakers on the event website. Images courtesy of Xu Zhu.

Join us for June Graduation Reception

The School will be celebrating more student successes and accomplishments next week, when our Senior Honours and PhD students graduate. We look forward to toasting their success at our Graduation reception next Wednesday. The occasion is a great opportunity for staff to meet family and friends and, for us to keep some photographic memories. Over the years graduation has involved cakes, fizz, laughter, changeable weather and lots of reminiscing as pictured below.

Summer and Winter Graduations 2010 – 2014.

Celebrations, Kilts and the Dean of Science. Graduation 2010- 2014.

Computer Science Interns Accelerate Impact

Congratulations to Computer Science Interns Gergely Flamich, Jack Cargill, Iveta Dulova, Tatiana Tay and Finlay Marno for designing a prize winning poster, and providing an excellent demonstration session at the recent EPSRC Impact Showcase held in the School of Medicine.

From left: Gergely, Jack, Iveta and Tatiana complete with winning poster.

The research presented, focuses on biomedical data science by identifying, integrating and simulating data from both previous studies and current collaborations.

The EPSRC awarded Impact acceleration award (IAA) funding to The University of St Andrews to promote a step change in the delivery of knowledge exchange. There were more than 30 projects funded by the EPSRC. The recent showcase offered an opportunity for university staff and students to find out more about the projects via posters, exhibits and demonstrations.

End of Semester Round up

We have reached the end of semester 2 and so many events, activities and accomplishments have taken place, it’s worth reflecting on all the hard work and enthusiasm demonstrated by our talented students.

As stated previously the School is rated highly for student satisfaction, which echoes the continued strong student staff community cultivated by all.

The events and locations pictured below help to highlight why studying Computer Science at St Andrews is such an amazing experience.

Clockwise from top left: Senior Honours demonstrate their final year projects. Junior Honours attempt world domination. PhD students present their posters.

Computer Science students organise a hugely successful StacsHack.

A bumper crop of PhD students advance towards graduation.

The CompSci garden continues to flourish with a little help from the Transitions team.

Clockwise from top left: The May Dip, Torchlit procession, Christmas ceilidh, stunning St Andrews.

Clockwise from top left: The May Dip, Torchlit procession, Christmas ceilidh and stunning St Andrews.

Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series: Prof. Mothy Roscoe pictured at the Byre Theatre and Prof. Luca Cardelli pictured in Lower College Hall.

Images courtesy of Lisa Dow, Xu Zhu, Fearn Bishop, Saleem Bhatti and Simone Conte,

Graham Kirby: Excellence in Teaching Award

We congratulate our Director of Teaching Dr Graham Kirby on being rewarded for championing ‘learning by doing’ at The University Teaching Awards held in Parliament Hall.

The School is rated highly for student satisfaction, which echoes the great teaching and strong student staff community sustained here in Computer Science. Graham is pictured below participating in some recent School activities.

Images courtesy of me (apologies in advance).

Spring in the Edible Campus à la Computer Science

Spring has arrived in the School garden as work begins growing “rabbit tolerant” spuds, carrots and onions as well as salad ingredients and herbs in preparation for our summer BBQs. Staff and students are pictured contributing towards Computer Science’s Edible Campus.

Computer Science Blog