Michael McBride, who graduates this week with MSc in Computing and Intelligent Systems, picked up a prestigious award for his research at a recent conference in London on Applied Cybernetics.

Michael was awarded the Student Award for his paper on “The Implementation of an Artificial Neural Network and Training on Hardware” which he presented to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Systems annual conference.

In layman’s terms, cybernetics is the science or study of communication in organisms, organic processes, and mechanical or electronic systems. According to Michael, who is originally from Dundalk, the research could have commercial implications in the longer term.

“Artificial Neural Networks are mathematical models based on our understanding of the way in which biological nerves operate. They are mainly researched in software because of its flexibility.

“However, using a hardware or microchip solution capable of learning as it operates means the investigations could be carried out much faster as traditionally a lot of time is spent training the Artificial Neural Networks.

“The research which we carried out was simplified and used only a small neural network to examine the feasibility of the idea. It is still early days and at this stage of the research, we are trying to demonstrate that the concept of normal controlled software learning the solution to a problem is valid.”

Since completing his doctorate, Michael has  become a research associate working at  the University’s Magee Campus.


Winter Graduation News 2005

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young