Artificial Intelligence

The coursework component of the MSc by Coursework and Research Report in the field of Artificial Intelligence covers topics ranging from computational intelligence, machine learning, multi-agent systems through to computer vision and natural language processing.

Overview

Why Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be seen as a system’s ability to interpret it environment, to learn from that interpretation, and to use those learnings to improve its ability to achieve specific goals and tasks through continuous adaptation. AI has the potential to completely modify society, government and the economy impacting the individual, the entrepreneur and large scale enterprise equally. The demand for individuals with a skill set that includes AI is ever-increasing in both academia and industry.

Why Wits?

In response to this demand from both industry and academia WITS has developed a MSc by Course Work and Research Report (CW/RR) in Artificial Intelligence.

A MSc by CW/RR in Artificial Intelligence will give candidates the opportunity to gain leading-edge AI skills by first engaging in an intensive coursework component and then honing those skills in an applied research setting through a mini dissertation. Course content will cover topics of interest ranging from computational intelligence, machine learning, multi-agent systems through to computer vision and natural language processing. The research report component allows the candidate to engage in cohort supervision in order to take the skills gained and generate new knowledge in a research setting.

Career Opportunities

Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Research Scientists, Big Data Architect, Video Game and Software Programmer.

Curriculum

Compulsory: 

  • COMS7068A Research Report: Artificial Intelligence [After completing coursework]
  • COMS7047A Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning
  • COMS7050A Computer Vision
  • COMS7067A Research Methods and Capstone Project in Artificial Intelligence
  • COMS7071A Reinforcement Learning

3 Electives from:

  • COMS7041A Applications of Algorithms
  • COMS7044A Artificial Intelligence
  • COMS7045A High-Performance Computing and Scientific Data Management
  • COMS7048A Multi-agent Systems
  • COMS7049A Robotics
  • COMS7053A Special Topics in Computer Science
  • COMS7055A Data Privacy and Ethics
  • COMS7056A Data Visualisation and Exploration
  • COMS7057A Large Scale Optimisation and Data Science
  • COMS7058A Mathematical Foundations of Data Science
  • COMS7059A Large Scale Computing Systems and Scientific Programming
  • COMS7062A Special Topics in Data Science
  • COMS7063A Statistical Foundations of Data Science
  • COMS7065A Computational Intelligence
  • COMS7066A Natural Language Technology
  • COMS7069A Advanced Topics in Robotics
  • COMS7238A Advanced Digital Processing

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree from a relevant discipline in Science (Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics) or a relevant NQF level 8 qualification or a relevant Professional Engineering Degree with demonstrable knowledge of basic principles of Algorithms, Computing, Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics.

Applicants require a minimum average of 65 percent.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.