Key Info

Bachelor/Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
CAO points history
498
Course code
LM174
Duration
4/5 Years
Subject area
Computing
Engineering
Science
Course Director
Dr Patrick Healy
Email
patrick.healy@ul.ie
Tel
00 353 61 202727
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

About You

If you have an analytical mind and like problem-solving then this could be the ideal programme for you.  The course is an exciting blend of computer science and mathematics that sets you up with skills to take on and solve some of the biggest scientific challenges facing us today. 

Why Study Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at UL?

Computers have come a long way for being simply "adding machines" and  now provide a platform on which Artificial Intelligence and Machine  Learning techniques can be at the forefront of helping society solve  some of our greatest challenges.  From detecting and diagnosing cancers, to digitising (and so, allowing us to search rapidly through) historical archives, through to supporting driverless cars, and designing new medicines to assisting in global pandemics, the possible applications of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are endless.  This 4-year bachelors degree, which may be extended to a masters degree in an optional fifth year, will equip you with skills to tackle these challenges, and more. 

UL's Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning degree, UL.AIML, is the first of its kind in the country and draws on the expertise of the Computer Science and Information Systems Department built over many years.  During your third year you will get the chance to spend 8 months putting the techniques and skills you have been taught to practical use, as part of an integrated cooperative education (work placement) component. Later in this year you may opt to exit after the fourth year with a bachelors degree or to continue for a fifth year, after which you will have the opportunity to exit with a masters. 

UL.AIML aims to equip graduates with the strong technical foundation that is essential to so many of today's high value-added occupations.  A career in research or, indeed, further postgraduate study would be fully within the intended career track of our graduates. 

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What you will study

The Bachelor of Science programme is of four years duration.  In the first year the student will undertake an intensive learning programme of computer science fundamentals, programming including an immediate introduction to an AI-appropriate language, and mathematics.  In subsequent years the focus on artificial intelligence will intensify while also including core computer science aspects such as operating systems, data structures and algorithms, database systems, computer graphics. 

Data analytics / mining and more specialist topics such as language engineering / translation and cultural aspects of AI are covered in later years.  Students who opt to exit after four years with a bachelors degree will complete, in their final year, a year-long Final year Project that is the culmination of their studies drawing on their skills in research, algorithm or system design, and implementation. 

  Semester 1   Semester 2
CS4141 Introduction to Programming CS4182 Foundations of Computer Science 2
CS4221 Foundations of Computer Science 1 CS4222 Software Development
CSxxxx Programming for Artificial Intelligence CSxxxx Machine Learning for Interactive Systems
MS4021 Calculus 1 MS4022 Calculus 2
MS4131 Linear Algebra 1 MS4122 Further Linear Algebra

 

  Semester 3   Semester 4
CS4013 Object Oriented Development CS4006 Intelligence Systems
CS4023 Operating Systems CS4076 Event Driven Programming
CS4096 Artificial Intelligence for Games CS4115 Data Structures and Algorithms
CS4416 Database Systems CS4815 Computer Graphics I
MS4613 Vector Analysis MA4004 Engineering Mathematics 4
  Semester 5   Semester 6
CSxxxx Cooperative Education CS4106 Machine Learning: Methods and Applications
    CS4187 Professional Issues in Computing
    CS4457 Project Management and Practice
    CSxxxx Topics in AI (Seminar Series)
    MS4327 Optimisation
  Semester 7   Semester 8
CS4125 Systems Analysis and Design CS4168 Data Mining
CS4287 Neural Computing CS4227 Software Design and Architecture
CS4337 Big Data Management and Security CSxxxx AI Culture-Themes, Ideas, Debates
CS6361 Language Engineering and Translation Technology CSxxxx Ai Project 2
CSxxxx AI Project 1    
  Semester 7   Semester 8
CS4011 Advanced Programming Concepts and Practices CS5024 Theory and Practice of Advanced AI Ecosystems
CS4125 Systems Analysis and Design CS4168 Data Mining
CS4287 Neural Computing CS4227 Software Design and Architecture
CS4337 Big Data Management and Security CSxxxx AI Culture-Themes, Ideas, Debates
CS6361 Language Engineering and Translation Technology CS6472 Research Methods and Specifications

 

  Semester 9   Semester 10
CS6271 Evolutionary Computation and Humanoid Robotics CS6462 Probabilistic and Explainable AI
CSxxxx AI Research Frontiers (Seminar Series) CS6482 Deep Reinforcement Learning
CSxxxx MSc Project 1 CSxxxx MSc Project 2

Entry requirements

CAO points history
498
Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Irish or another language, and English. 

Subject requirements

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H3 in Mathematics. 

Additional considerations

A special Mathematics (Higher Level) Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

Applications are welcome from Mature Students. Information for those wishing to apply can be found here. 

Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

Title Award Scholarships Available
Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

  • Automotive - development of AI for control/navigation systems (processing of various navigation inputs)
  • Healthcare - predictive analytics for healthcare diagnostics (image analysis, etc), expert systems
  • Finance - market analysis, trend prediction/detection, fraud detection/prevention
  • Research Scientist - new interventions development
  • Games - AI gameplay programmer
  • Smart Manufacturing - process automation
  • Data Scientist/Analyst - big data processing and analysis
  • Software Engineer - computer science practitioner