Cybernetics

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Cybernetics
Visit Day Presentation On Cybernetics, Systems
Engineering, the University, and Reading Dr
Richard Mitchell Senior Lecturer and Former Head
of Cybernetics Director of Teaching Learning
for the School of Systems Engineering The
University of Reading, UK
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Cybernetics

• Cybernetics is derived from the Greek word
  kybernetes meaning steersman, a person in control
  
• It arose from discussions between researchers
  from various disciplines with common interests
• As the science of systems it is as relevant to
  the study of our effect on natural systems as to
  the design of complex technological systems
• Cybernetics encompasses related subjects such as
  Engineering, Computer Science, IT, etc
• Cybernetics pioneered Control, AI, Comp Sci...

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Cybernetics - a Different Perspective
Fundamental principles, such as feedback,
applicable to a great variety of diverse systems,
technological, environmental, biological, or a
mixture
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Feedback for Control Steersman
Also steering / speed control of other vehicles
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Feedback for Control of Robot Arm
In fact, need control for each joint, .
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Feedback for Central Heating
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Feedback for Body Control
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Feedback for VR
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Feedback for Learning
You learn by your mistakes
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Robotics
Communicating and Learning
Yorick stereo robot head
Interactive R2-D2 Toy By Dave Keating Feedback
Control derived from work here
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Biomedical
Haptics feeling Use with VR, e.g. surgery
training
Prosthetic Hand
CYBORG - Implant
Gentle stroke rehabilitation
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Instrumentation and Signals
Infra-red Multi Layer Filters in space
Terahertz Technology
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Cybernetics at Reading

• First taught in 1963 within Physics
• Department of Cybernetics formed in 1977
• Over recent years, Cybernetics expanded,
• more degrees offered MEng and BSc/BEng and
  specialisms eg Biomedical Engineering, AI,
  Robotics

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School of Systems Engineering

• Comprises Computer Science and Informatics,
  Cybernetics and Electronic Engineering
• About 40 academics involved in teaching
• 100 research, technical administrative staff
• 120 fte postgraduates 650 fte undergraduates
• Several specialist research centres - eg
• Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies
• Infra-red Multilayer Filters
• Research income of 2m per annum
• Many ongoing projects, working with local
  industry
• 2 have won national awards for excellence

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Degree Programmes in School
Comp Eng
EE CS
IT
Comp Sci
Elec Eng
Sys Eng
EE Cyb
AI Cyb
IT Man
Robotics
Cybernetics
CS Cyb
MSc s
BioM Cyb
Cyb Cont
Degrees accredited by IET, InstMC, BCS. MEng
and/or BSc/BEng some applied year in
industry Much common in Part 1 so can change
degree at Part 2 Also have Foundation Year if not
ok for normal entry.
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Job Prospects

• Very good Reading is well situated
• Courses provide excellent background
• Final Year Projects highly rated good for
  interview
• Graduates do a variety of jobs
• Computing, electronics, communications, research,
  
• In small or large companies
• Placements for applied year help also
• In addition, School houses the Universitys
  Knowledge Transfer Centre
• Projects University Industry employ a
  graduate
• Most successful centre in the UK

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Industrial Links/KTPs/Placements
Ti
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University of Reading

• Founded in 1896, with its own charter since 1926
• One of the top 20 UK research-intensive
  Universities
• Is in the top 10 best endowed Universities in the
  UK
• Has about 15000 students (3000 overseas)
• In the official National Student Survey
• Reading came 4th with Bath, Bristol, Nottingham
• beat Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Sussex,
  Surrey and Imperial College for overall student
  satisfaction
• In a BBC national survey Engineers in Reading
  came second only to Cambridge for Happiness!

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Photos of University
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Some University Facilities
Library 1 million books all major research
journals Maths Support Centre
Sports Centre Gym also
600 open-access computers 24 hour opening -
free access to WWW, own email name Help desk
free courses on major software
One of largest and best Students Union in UK
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Student Support and Life

• Every student has a personal tutor
• University provides study skills advisors,
  counsellors
• All courses have lectures, labs, seminars and
  tutorials
• typical commitment is 20 hours per week
• Everyone needs time for private study
• going over lectures, reading around subject, etc
• All courses will have coursework do in own time
• All courses will have exams in May/June
• you have to pass in order to carry on next year
• Outside this there is time for sport, hobbies,
  etc
• Or part-time work

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Halls
14 Halls of Residence catered / self-catered
all on-campus or less than 15 minutes walk
away Overseas home students mix
A typical bedroom
Student Houses in Reading
Student Village
A hall bar
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On Fees

• Fees are at same level as most other UK
  Universities
• Living costs in Reading - like most places in the
  UK
• 6500 for undergraduates
• 8000 for postgraduates - all in
• cheaper than London
• Lots of part-time work available
• University offers a job-shop to help
• Many student discounts in shops, clubs, etc

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On Reading
a town of 150,000 people with nice countryside
around very good road and rail links excellent
shopping / nightlife home to major sporting
clubs home of Reading Rock Festival
The Oracle
River at Caversham
Town Hall
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Location

• Reading is in the Thames Valley
• 40 km west of London
• 30 km from Heathrow Airport

Train 25mins to London Close to M4 then to M25
/ M5 / M1
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Summary
University of Reading an excellent place to
study Good town nicely situated re jobs and
travel Systems Engineering offers a range of
courses At Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Level With a lot of flexibility for what you
study More information is available on
http//www.reading.ac.uk http//www.reading.ac.u
k/sse http//www.reading.ac.uk/cyber I am happy
to answer any questions