Studying Computer Science with AI at the University of Brighton has been an invaluable experience that fostered my creativity and helped me develop a wide range of technical skills. The rigorous curriculum and hands-on projects equip students with a strong foundation in both theoretical concepts and practical applications of computer science and AI.
Tell us a bit about your project
My project was about diagnosing skin cancer using computer vision. It involved developing a convolutional neural network (CNN) model that classifies skin lesion images as benign or malignant and creating a mobile app called Skan, which enables users to scan and diagnose their skin abnormalities.
I chose this project because I was interested in the applications of AI in medical imaging and wanted to develop a mobile app capable of diagnosing diseases from images. After researching various applications, I found that skin cancer detection was the most suitable topic for my project. It is estimated that 2.8 million new cases of skin cancer occur worldwide each year and early detection of this cancer significantly increases the survival rate. Thus, a convenient detection method can save lives.
I approached my project by first conducting thorough research on existing AI methodologies for skin cancer diagnosis to determine the scope, algorithms, and datasets to use. After that, I trained five CNN architectures on diverse datasets to ensure their capability of detecting skin cancer across all skin types, addressing a gap that is present in most existing solutions. Finally, I developed the Skan app, which integrated the best-performing CNN model to enable real-time diagnosis.
Throughout all the stages of this project, I received invaluable support and guidance from my supervisor, Dr. Gulden Uchyigit. Her expertise in AI and constructive feedback during our regular meetings provided crucial direction and helped shape the project’s scope and methodology, which significantly contributed to its successful completion.
How have you found your course and your time at Brighton?
Studying Computer Science with AI at the University of Brighton has been an invaluable experience that fostered my creativity and helped me develop a wide range of technical skills. The rigorous curriculum and hands-on projects equip students with a strong foundation in both theoretical concepts and practical applications of computer science and AI.
How did you choose your course?
Technological advances have always fascinated me. During my school years, I often wondered what makes a smartphone smart and what exactly is Artificial Intelligence. This curiosity led me to study computer since with a focus on AI, as I wanted to understand these complex systems and the underlying technologies. I also chose to specialize in AI because I believe it represents the future of technology, and by mastering it, I can contribute to innovative advancements in the field.
What have been the highlights of your course?
One aspect of this course that I particularly enjoyed is the focus on programming projects as the primary form of assessment. This approach provides students with the opportunity to develop software of their choice, which I found really enjoyable. Working on projects that align with my interests and passions encouraged me to be creative and enhanced my problem-solving abilities, while giving me the opportunity to explore various applications within the field of computer science and AI to determine where my true career interests lie.
How was your placement experience?
I did a placement year with Bucher Municipal in Dorking where I worked as an Undergraduate Machine Learning Engineer. This role provided me with an immersive experience encompassing various techniques of AI and software engineering, such as computer vision, deep learning, web app development and database programming. It consolidated my theoretical knowledge, strengthened my practical skills, and deepened my understanding of the complexities involved in applying AI solutions to real-world scenarios.
The exposure to real-world projects and challenges was a crucial aspect of this experience. It enriched me with a new skill set and provided insights into the practical implications of AI technologies beyond what we learn at the university.
How has your course helped to prepare you for your career? What are your plans after graduation?
My course has prepared me for my career by providing a solid foundation in computer science and AI through programming projects, research, and hands-on experiences, which helped me hone my technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking capabilities.
After graduation, I plan to do a masters in AI and then pursue a career where I can leverage my expertise in deep learning and software engineering to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation, by contributing to cutting-edge projects in the tech industry. I aspire to work with companies specialising in software applications powered by computer vision and generative AI. My aim is to make these advanced technologies accessible to everyone.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of going to university / studying computing at Brighton?
For prospective students considering studying computing at the University of Brighton, I highly recommend actively engaging in practical lab sessions and allocating time for independent learning and practice. Also, managing your time effectively is crucial. You might have a lot of free time in the beginning and your coursework will seem manageable, however, it’s important to recognize that programming assignments often entail unforeseen challenges and debugging processes that are time-consuming.
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