Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from the preserve of sci-fi movies into something most of us use every day, whether we realise it or not. It’s a fast-growing industry that underpins countless crucial sectors from healthcare to law enforcement.
In spite of it being a hot topic, there is a lack of understanding of AI, and even less technical experience. As this nascent sector expands, true specialists have become sought-after and, in the coming years, those with the foresight to gain qualifications early will not only have access to the pick of the jobs – their work could be instrumental in designing the future.
The University of Derby’s five new applied AI degrees offer undergraduates the opportunity to study how artificial intelligence intersects with industries as diverse as criminology, psychology, healthcare, digital marketing and human resources, and gives them insight into how to keep their skills at the forefront of tech progress after graduation.
We spoke to Prof Stephan Reiff-Marganiec, head of the school of computing, and Prof Ian Turner, professor of learning and teaching, about what it’s like to study AI at the University of Derby, and how the new degree programmes will prepare graduates for a career in the fast-moving world of AI.
Prof Stephan Reiff-Marganiec
Head of the school of computing
Leads research in data-driven systems that provide a basis for AI insights into everything from rerouting cars to optimising factory processes.
Prof Ian Turner
Professor of learning and teaching
Leads the generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) working group across the university, and helps to implement the university’s AI code of practice in its teaching and learning.
Forget what you think you know
“When we look at the industry around AI, everyone thinks of companies like OpenAI [makers of ChatGPT], Google or Amazon,” says Reiff-Marganiec. “That is the wrong way to look at it. AI is part of our every day – it impacts everyone and is everywhere. That phone sitting on your desk has AI built into it, and has had for many years. The way we shop, book appointments or do our banking is all underpinned by AI – there are very few industries that are not impacted by it in one way or another. AI has changed the world, and it will continue to do so; we want to make sure that our students are in the best possible position to capitalise on the opportunities that this will bring.”
The university’s suite of applied AI BSc qualifications are designed to dovetail with the needs of modern businesses, now and in the future, with modules informed by industry and research to keep up with the ever-changing tech landscape. Partnerships with local and global companies play a key role in helping the university keep abreast of industry trends. “Companies that we work with – such as Rolls-Royce and Toyota – get insights from their manufacturing plants, the devices they produce, the cars they are putting on the roads: all generating data that they analyse,” says Reiff-Marganiec. “This means that we are at the forefront of technological advancements, which ensures that our curriculum is aligned to industry needs, relevant to current trends, and has an eye on the future.”
Turner adds: “AI has been around for a long time. Everyone from the NHS, to local constabularies to the small companies in our region are using AI in their work. And with the gen [generative] AI boom, a whole new range of businesses have had their eyes opened to the possibilities AI can create for them.
It’s not about chatbots
The purpose of artificial intelligence is to take some of the strain off human shoulders – to do the legwork so you can focus on the interesting parts. That goes for studying for your degree, too – but no, you can’t get a chatbot to write your essay.
“These degree programmes we are running are not about telling people how to use ChatGPT to write documents. We are talking about tackling big issues like social inequality and miscarriages of justice,” says Turner. “Challenges where AI can play its part in redressing some of the problems affecting society – and our students can have a role in this.”
Reiff-Marganiec adds: “Contrary to the popular narrative that AI will replace humans, it will actually allow us to be more human by taking away some of those mundane tasks which require cognitive load, enabling us to do the things that require true human creativity.
“Imagine a future where a doctor does not have to analyse thousands of X-ray images because AI can do that for them, freeing up their precious time to see more patients and ultimately save more lives. It can have a transformative effect on industry and society if used effectively and ethically.”
These, and similar challenges across a range of industries, are some of the problems the University of Derby’s students will tackle when the new programmes commence this autumn.
A modern legacy
With AI being such a hot industry, it’s no surprise that online institutions offering related courses have already begun to proliferate – where there’s interest, there’s profit. But in a crowded market, a qualification from a respected institution such as the University of Derby carries weight – and there are also considerable benefits to learning in person, say the professors.
“One of the key things you do not get online is happenstance,” Reiff-Marganiec says. “The arrow goes straight. But on campus, [you get] lots of unexpected diversions from speaking to people – and those opportunities make your experience far richer, which you can then take into the workplace.”
State of the art university labs also give students access to pro-level tools and hardware, which can be prohibitively expensive for an individual to acquire. So students can plug in and play on day one, regardless of their background or resources.
And as the applied AI courses at Derby are designed to be cross-disciplinary, students have access to experiential learning spaces from other specialisms – such as the criminology department’s replica magistrates court, custody suite, and forensic training facility, complete with seven facsimile crime scenes and a blood spatter room. Something else you’re unlikely to see or experience from an online course, note the professors.
AI degree courses at the University of Derby
New AI practitioner-focused degrees starting at the university in September will ensure that students graduate with the skills, knowledge and expertise to understand, pre-empt and maximise the opportunities that this new technology provides.
Subject areas include criminology, digital marketing, healthcare, human resources, data science and psychology.
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Artificial Intelligence in Digital Marketing
• Artificial Intelligence in Psychology
• Artificial Intelligence in Human Resources
• Artificial Intelligence in Criminology
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with Foundation Year
Find out more about being part of the AI revolution:
How can young people prepare for an AI future?
Undergraduate AI courses
The friendly face of industry
By working closely with companies that use AI tools in their day-to-day work, Derby students are ideally placed to find jobs after graduation. On top of its decades of leading research and teaching in data science, the university’s partnerships with organisations including Rolls-Royce, Toyota and the NHS can open doors for students and guide curriculum development.
“Our industry partners are informing us of the next advancements they anticipate they will need in their workforce and the questions that will need answering,” says Reiff-Marganiec. “As a future-focused university, we are challenging them to look even further ahead, five, ten years down the line, as by the time a student enters the workforce the world could be quite different. It is our job to prepare students of today for the work of the future, ensuring our curriculum evolves in line with industry needs, and that our students are equipped with the skills required to be successful, whatever path they may choose.”
A degree of employability
When students make the decision to invest in their education, they’re thinking far beyond a framed certificate – they want to know how that qualification will ease their path to career success. At the University of Derby, employability is a key component of both existing and new courses.
“As an applied university it is key that we are aligned to industry so that our students can experience the world of work and gain those transferable skills. To support this we bring employers in to deliver live briefs to our students,” says Reiff-Marganiec. “They may set themes for a hackathon or practical activities, and we have this constant dialogue with the people who will hire our graduates so we can ensure that what we deliver is future focused and responds to their skills needs.
“Many students go on placements after their second year to further their involvement with employers, and that enables them to take ideas from there into their final year project. If they play that right, they will likely have a job offer before they even graduate.”
Turner adds: “The companies around us are embracing AI. They want to recruit from the best talent pool, so they home in on graduates with these specific skill sets. They cannot wait for them to come out the other end of the course, which puts our students in a strong position if they work hard and take advantage of all the opportunities the University of Derby offers.
“A common question we get is: ‘Which career is this going to be relevant to?’ But I think the question should actually be: ‘Which careers do you think will not need AI?’”
The seminar’s key takeaways
• The university’s new applied AI courses are designed to dovetail with what industry looks for in its new hires, not just now but at and beyond graduation time.
• Students graduate with practical experience and strong contacts at local and global companies, including huge names such as Rolls-Royce, and often with a job offer already in hand.
• Courses are research-informed and constantly adjusted to remain current, and include applications across industries that go far beyond the generative AI focus of many online courses.
To find out more and start your journey to becoming a sought-after graduate with a degree in applied AI, or to explore the other degrees on offer, visit derby.ac.uk
