Sample Syllabus

CSIS 440 - Artificial Intelligence

Course Description
An introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of artificial intelligence, knowledge representation, problem solving, and AI search techniques. Concepts and techniques will be explored through programming in an AI-oriented programming language

Instructor

Dr. David M. Hansen

Texts

Required
Recommended
  • Ivan Bratko PROLOG Programming for Artificial Intelligence, 3rd Edition. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley.
  • Aho, A.V., and Ullman, J.D. Foundations of Computer Science C Edition. New York, New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.

Objectives

This course studies four main objectives of AI
  1. Modeling the environment by constructing computer representations of the real world.
  2. Perception and reasoning - obtaining and creating information (aka knowledge) to populate a computational representation.
  3. Taking action - use the knowledge of the environment and desired goals to plan and execute actions.
  4. Learning from past experience.
Students will:
  • Understand these basic objectives of AI and mechanisms for their implementation.
  • Use a high-level AI-oriented programming language to implement a simple Representation and Reasoning System.
  • Be familiar with the fundamental principles of propositional and predicate logic.

Course Organization

This course will consist of lectures and hands-on programming exercises. I plan to use the author-provided lecture notes which are available online (only the "4-up" versions are here as they're appropriate for printing) as is a web site for the textbook.

Programming assignments will be carried out in the Prolog programming language. The Prolog programming text is recommended (highly). In addition the required textbook provides some instruction and numerous online sources of information are available. Some instruction in the use of this language will be provided during lectures.

The course will include regular homework and programming assignments. There will be NO CREDIT given for late assignments (without an excused absence) - turn in as much as you can.

Reading assignments should be completed before the lecture covering the material. Not all reading material will be covered in the lectures, but you will be responsible for the material on homework and exams. Quizes over the assigned reading may be given at any time.

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please contact the Disability Services office early in the term so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide current documentation of your disability to Disability Services. For more information, contact Director of Disability Services.

Grading

The final grade will be based on:

  • 55% Homework & Programming Assignments
  • 5% Quizes
  • 20% Midterm
  • 20% Final

Tentative Schedule

Lectures Topic Reading


CI PPAI Other
1 Introduction


1 Logic Review

Logic Review
2 Philosophical Questions Ch 1
Handout
2 Representation & Reasoning I Ch. 2
FoCS 12, 14
3 Introduction To Prolog
Ch. 1 & 2
1 SWI-Prolog

Prolog Page
2 Representation & Reasoning II Ch. 3

3 Using Prolog
Ch. 3-9
3 Searching Ch. 4 Ch. 11 & 12
3 Representing Knowledge Ch. 5 Ch. 15
1 Midterm


3 Knowledge Engineering Ch. 6 Ch. 16 & 23
3 Beyond Definite Knowledge Ch. 7

3 Actions & Planning Ch. 8 Ch. 17
3 Assumption-based Reasoning Ch. 9

2 Using Uncertain Knowledge Ch. 10

3 Learning Ch. 11 Ch. 18
2 Situated Robots Ch. 12