UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD
School of Computing Informatics and Media
Department of Computing
Programme/course title: Artificial Intelligence for Games
Awarding and teaching institution:
Final award:
Programme titles:
Programme accredited by:
Duration:
Subject benchmark statement:
Date produced:
Last updated:
University of Bradford
MSc [Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications level M]
Artificial Intelligence for Games
Not applicable
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Computing
March 2006,
July 2011
Programme Aims
The computer games industry is now one of the largest international media industries,
with total revenues to rival that of the film industry. Games have always been at the
forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research. The graphics and sound of video games
now approach photorealism, and there is a continuing push for improved AI and
gameplay as the most important unique selling point of present and future games
software. Our MSc AI for Games, located within the Department of Computing in the
School of Computing, Informatics and Media (SCIM), offers the opportunity to learn
“hands on” both the AI techniques currently used in the games industry and the
advanced AI techniques which will take the game industry forward.
As a graduate of this MSc you will be well-equipped for a career as an AI designer or
developer in the large and ever-growing computer games development industry. There
will be opportunity to hear talks from members of the games industry careers during the
MSc. The course will also provide an ideal route into further research leading to a PhD in
this vibrant research area, where the School of Computing, Informatics and Media has a
substantial and growing research footprint (see the Bradford University Games Research
& Development website at http://www.bugrd.org.uk).
Whether you are developing advanced skills in the area of game AI for a career in the
games development industry, or equipping yourself for advanced AI or games research,
this programme aims to provide the necessary training and skills.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding: Our MSc AI for Games programme will enable you to
gain mastery in AI techniques and their application to games design and development.
You will be able to design and implement AI to control game-playing agents for a wide
range of games, ranging from simple board games through to a wide range of complex,
real-time video games. You will gain the skills needed to research new techniques, and
put them into practice in a game environment, producing a range of coursework and
project outputs which will demonstrate your ability as an AI programmer to potential
employers and/or PhD supervisors.
1
Discipline Skills: You will gain mastery of AI techniques applicable to games (and other
areas such as finance and engineering) such as:
 AI Architectures
 AI Design and Project Management
 Movement, Search and Pathfinding
 Tactical and Strategic Position Evaluation
 Genetic Algorithms and other Heuristics
 Artificial Neural Networks
 Machine Learning
Personal and Transferable Skills, developed as a core thread throughout the proposed
modules, requiring written and oral presentation, analysis, problem-solving, flexible
specialisation, team-working and time management in a game development
environment.
Using these skills you will be well placed to apply for careers in the large and fastgrowing games industry, as well as careers which use AI in decision support systems in
a wide variety of service and manufacturing industries, and in government.
The Curriculum
Typically for a taught Masters programme, our MSc AI for Games lasts for twelve months
of full-time study; that is, two semesters of instruction followed by completion of a major
dissertation project in the summer or 24 months of part-time study following a similar
pattern.
The MSc AI for Games covers a range of specialist topics, leading to the qualification of
a Master's degree. Typically, a taught full-time Master's course lasts for twelve months of
full-time study. The course has two stages: the taught courses stage which takes place
during the first two semesters (or four semesters for the part-time route), and the
project/dissertation stage. The taught courses stage is organised on a modular basis.
Students who successfully complete the taught modules are eligible for the PGDip AI for
Games. Students proceeding onto the Masters level undertake a project which the
student has to agree with the Department during the first taught semesters
Unit code
Unit title
CM1060D
Artificial Intelligence for Games 1
CM1019D
Formal Methods (PG)
EM0421D
Computer Animation & Special Effects
CM1013D
Software Project Management
CM1061D
Artificial Intelligence for Games II
CM0518D
Concurrent and Distributed Systems
CM1033D
Advanced Software Development
CM0425D
Group Project (AIFG)
EM4025D
Advanced Character Animation
CM1044D
Artificial Intelligence with Applications
CM0424Z
Dissertation
Cr = credits; L = level; S = semester. C = core, O = optional.
Cr
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
60
L
M
M
M
M
M
3
M
M
M
M
M
S
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
MSc
C
O
O
O
C
O
O
C
O
O
C
2
Assessment regulations: a summary
To be eligible for a Masters Degree, you must achieve at least 40.0% in 160 credits and
35.0% in the other 20 credits. If you achieve an overall weighted average of at least
60.0% but less than 70.0% you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with
Merit. If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the initial attempt in
your dissertation, you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with
Distinction.
To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma, you must achieve at least 40%
in 100 credits and at least 35.0% in the other 20 credits. Additionally, students who attain
an overall average of at least 60.0% but less than 70.0% and those who achieve an
overall average of over 70.0% at the first attempt will be eligible for the award of
Postgraduate Diploma with Merit and Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction respectively.
The full text of the University of Bradford’s Assessment Regulations is located at
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies
You will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments while studying
on the MSc AI for Games programme. Concepts, principles and theories are generally
explored in formal lectures, practiced in associated tutorials and seminars, and
demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratory sessions,
and professional and personal skills are implicitly developed through the course in both
group work and presentations. The individual project brings all the various aspects of the
course together.
Laboratory work will be conducted in the School’s well-equipped computer laboratories.
A variety of PC software tools will be used for teaching and learning, including bespoke
AI development software which has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft.
Each unit credit represents 10 hours of study, so that a 10-credit module represents 100
hours and a 20-credit module represents 200 hours. Some of these hours will be formally
timetabled as lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials, while and others will involve
you in carrying out private study.
Methods of assessment are similarly varied, and your progress will be assessed using a
mix of formal examinations, presentations, reports, laboratory tests, essays, coursework
assignments, and projects. The appropriate method is chosen so that you may
demonstrate the particular learning outcomes of each module. Since the focus of the
MSc AI for Games is for you to be able to put learning into practice, practical work and
coursework which allow you to use AI concepts will be emphasised in assessment.
Admissions Criteria
Generally, applicants are expected to possess a good Honours degree (normally 2:2 or
above) in
 computer science, computer engineering, informatics or other computer-related
subjects from an approved degree-awarding body
OR
3

any subject from area relevant to the field(s) of the proposed programme of study,
together with skills and relevant experience in a computer-related area such as
computer programming or information systems.
However, with respect to the MSc AI for Games, we also specifically require that all
applicants have a good understanding of the principles and practice of writing computer
programmes prior to entry, and that they:
 have a good Honours degree containing a significant component in Computing of an
approved degree-awarding body; or
 have a good Honours degree in a subject other than with Computing, but can
demonstrate sufficient relevant experience in Computing; and
 have relevant industrial experience (e.g. obtained through substantial experience of
working in the Games or software industry or through industrial experience of other
relevant programming work) that will be assessed via a CV and references.
Candidates applying to the course with non-standard qualifications will be judged on an
individual basis using the University’s APEL procedures. In addition, a test of written and
spoken English normally needs to have been passed at grade 6.0 for IELTS or 550 for
TOEFL (or 250 for the computer-based test) or above.
Student support and guidance
Students admitted to the programme will have the Department of Computing within the
School of Computing, Informatics and Media as their “home” department. As such, you
will go through a process of induction within Computing and SCIM. Afterwards, ongoing
support for is provided in the form of one-stop facilities located at the SCIM Student
Support Office (SSO) in Horton Building, open throughout the day during term, and in the
mornings and afternoons outside term. Support for registered students also is provided
24/7 via the intranets of the School of Computing, Informatics and Media, Department of
Computing and the School’s Technical Support. The School also uses the University’s
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support students via their individual modules.
All students on our MSc Artificial Intelligence for Games will be allocated a Personal
Tutor who provides support and guidance on matters relating to learning, teaching, and
academic progress. There are tutors in the School who have specialist responsibilities,
and are able to deal with specific issues relating to factors such as disability, equal
opportunities and gender.
Further Information
More details about our MSc AI for Games may be obtained from the School of
Computing, Informatics and Media Admissions Office via telephone on +44 (0)1274
235963, email pgadmissions@bradford.ac.uk, or our website at
www.scim.brad.ac.uk/courses/pg/ If you require further information about the
University of Bradford, please refer to its Postgraduate Prospectus.
Disclaimer
The details of this Programme Specification and information contained therein are
subject to change in accordance with the University of Bradford’s course approval,
monitoring and review procedures.
4