About Me

Funnier than Isaac Newton ... more intelligent than Homer Simpson ... Its Robert Jessop!

I am an 18 year student doing a degree in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence at the University of Southampton. I have just finished my A-levels, getting As in Maths, Physics, Further Maths (AS-Level) and General Studies (AS-Level).

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The next section is something I had to write for my university application and have since updated.

My Personnal Statement:

(Anything highlighted in green is not on my UCAS form)

I have always been interested in computers and I have become very adept with them. Friends often ask me to fix problems with their computers. I am good at learning to use new software quickly and can touch-type. I first began programming in BASIC when I was about eight. Later I learnt the C++ language and object-orientated programming. I have also programmed a little in Delphi and am now learning Java. I am also familiar with the main business applications: Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Publisher, Word Pro, 123 and Freelance Graphics. I have used the scripting languages in both Access and 123. Programming is enjoyable for me because it is both logical and creative at the same time. I mostly enjoy writing artificial intelligence because it is more creative than most programming and it is very rewarding to see your AI working. Even better is when it is good enough to beat me! I want to study Computing at university to widen my skills and, since I enjoy writing AI, I hope to eventually work in the games industry. One of my recent interests has been AI Wars and in August 2000 I beat people from all over the world to win a sixteen tournament championship at The Arena of Champions. This web site includes examples of my programming.

I passed all eight of my GCSEs at home. I was ill with ME and had to learn everything with only a few hours a week home tuition. Because of my health I decided to only do maths A-level and further maths AS-level. However, my health improved so I took up physics A-level too. I enjoy maths because it is analytical and has been very useful in writing programs. Physics is very interesting because I like to understand how things work. I like watching science television programs and I have read 'A Brief History of Time'. I often go in the library to read books from both subjects.

During year 10 I worked as an assistant in the school library. For my work experience in year 10 I went to Babergh District Council. One of my jobs there was to set up a database for the horticulture department. It included mail-merge letters and some programming to automatically fill in fields, for example: setting the place name when the area code is entered and vice versa. Also in year 10 I took part in UN day, in which a mock United Nations General Assembly was held. My group represented Brazil and I made our opening speech to over 100 people. In year 12 there was 'Industry problem solving week'. My group had to produce a leaflet for Great Cornard Parish Council. Out of the eleven groups we won the award for teamwork. In the Summer of 2000 I returned to Babergh for a two month job plotting past planning applications on a computer map and linking them to Babergh's property database.

I enjoy watching motor racing and have been to Brands Hatch and Silverstone. In the Summer I play Badminton outside and I also like Bowling and Golf. I like a variety of music from trance to classical music. Nearly every day I read some fiction. My favourite genre is science fiction. Authors that I like include Michael Crichton, J.R.R Tolkien and Douglas Adams. I am a researcher for The Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy.