School of Computer Science

Inaugural Lecture: ‘Constraint Satisfaction and the Crystal Maze’ by Professor Ian Miguel

The School of Computer Science is delighted to announce the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Ian Miguel.

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Title: ‘Constraint Satisfaction and the Crystal Maze’

Abstract: In numerous contexts today we are faced with making decisions of increasing size and complexity, where many different considerations interlock in complex ways. Consider, for example, a staff rostering problem to assign staff to shifts while respecting required shift patterns and staffing levels, physical and staff resources, and staff working preferences. The decision-making process is often further complicated by the need also to optimise an objective, such as to maximise profit or to minimise waste. In this talk I will introduce the field of Constraint Programming, which offers a means of solving such problems automatically. Using an illustrative example from the annals of the Crystal Maze, a popular TV game show from the 1990s, I will explore the process of modelling and solving problems with constraints and discuss some of the most significant challenges in the field.

The lecture will be held at School III, St Salvator’s Quadrangle

and there will be a reception afterwards, in Lower College Hall.

 

Event details

  • When: 23rd September 2015 17:15 - 18:30
  • Where: St Andrews
  • Format: Lecture

Seminar: ‘Formalizing Garbage: Mathematical Models of Memory Management’ by Jeremy Singer

Abstract:

Garbage collection is no longer an esoteric research interest. Mainstream programming languages like Java and C# rely on high-performance memory managed run time systems. In this talk, I will motivate the need for rigorous models of memory management to enable more powerful analysis and optimization techniques. I will draw on a diverse range of topics including thermodynamics, economics, machine learning and control theory.

Bio:

Jeremy Singer is a lecturer at the School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow, Scotland. He has research interests in programming languages,compilation, run time code optimization and memory management. Singer received his PhD from Cambridge in 2006. Website:http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~jsinger

 

Event details

  • When: 6th October 2015 14:00 - 15:00
  • Where: Cole 1.33a
  • Series: School Seminar Series
  • Format: Seminar, Talk

Talk: ‘This is a Google Talk’ – by James Smith

The School of Computer Science is pleased to welcome back one of its former PhD students, James Smith, who is currently Google Product Manager, London to talk about Google @ St Andrews. FB_20150916_14_52_25_Saved_Picture

Abstract: Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. It’s an enormous goal to accomplish and we need great people to help us achieve it. We invite you to come learn about Google and some of the engineering challenges we’re tackling.

Sign up: goo.gl/GXXiWp

Event details

  • When: 13th October 2015 20:00 - 21:00
  • Where: Cole 1.33
  • Format: Talk

Official Opening: Interaction Lab

Dean of Science, Professor Al Dearle officially opened the new Interaction Lab earlier today. The lab is situated within the John Honey building within the School of Computer Science and houses the research talents of both SACHI and Open Virtual Worlds.

The Dean of Science, Professor Aaron Quigley Chair of HCI, current staff and students, alumni and Emeritus Professor, Ron Morrison were photographed enjoying the opening celebrations.

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Great Scottish Swim Success for CS team

The School participated in the Great Scottish Swim on Saturday, the CS team comprising Percy Perez, David Symons, Julie Dunsire, Alex Voss and Ruth Letham were swimming for Médecins Sans Frontières. All team members completed the swim in under an hour. Before and after pictures were captured by Katja who travelled along to support the team.

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Congratulations to all. Their target is £1k and they’re 97% there. You can still donate via https://www.justgiving.com/uoscompsci/.

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.

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

NSS 2015: Computer Science Students 100% Satisfied

The results of the 2015 National Student Survey (NSS) were released this week and 100% of our students reported themselves “satisfied” with 93% responding that they were “very satisfied” with their course.

The School was also rated highly in a number of other categories including “Staff are good at explaining things”, “Feedback on my work has helped me to clarify things i didn’t understand”, “The course has helped me present myself with confidence” and “As a result of the course I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems”.

The NSS collects satisfaction levels from undergraduate students in the UK, via a survey. The survey is sent to all students in the UK a few months before they graduate and gets a very high return rate.

We are delighted that our recent graduates (pictured below) feel so positive about their student experience and wish them every success with future endeavours.

Computer Science: Senior Honours 2015

Computer Science: Senior Honours 2015

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.

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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.

Computer Science Great Scottish Swim

On August 29th the School will be participating in the Great Scottish Swim, the team comprising Percy Perez, David Symons, Julie Dunsire, Alex Voss and Ruth Letham are swimming for Médecins Sans Frontières, an independent humanitarian charity that is committed to providing medical aid where it is most needed.

The team have been training hard in various pools around Fife in preparation for the swim challenge taking place in Loch Lomond. We also have photographic evidence of some team members road-testing their wetsuits at the East Sands.

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Their target is £1k, visit the JustGiving page and reward all their hard work while supporting a great charity.

https://www.justgiving.com/uoscompsci/