CSE 4308/5360 - Fall 2011 - Syllabus

Course web page: http://vlm1.uta.edu/~athitsos/courses/cse4308_fall2011/
Lecture times: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30pm - 1:50pm
Classroom: NH 229

Textbook:
S. Russell and P. Norvig, "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach", second edition (2003) or third edition (2009), Prentice Hall.
Instructor:
Vassilis Athitsos

Office: ERB 623
Office hours: MWF 12:30pm-1:30pm
Teaching assistant:
Vamsikrishna Gopikrishna
vamsikrishna.gopikrishna@mavs.uta.edu
Office: ERB 540
Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 4:00pm-5:00pm.


Course Description

Contents and Objectives:
 
This course gives an introduction to the philosophies and techniques of Artificial Intelligence. AI techniques have become an essential element in modern computer software and are thus essential for a successful career and advanced studies in computer science. Students successfully completing this course will be able to apply a variety of techniques for the design of efficient algorithms for complex problems. Topics covered in this course include search algorithms (such as breadth-first, depth-first, A*), game-playing algorithms (such as Minimax), knowledge and logic reasoning, planning methods (such as STRIPS and Partially Ordered Planner), probabilistic reasoning, and machine learning.

Prerequisites:
 
All students are expected to have passed the courses Programming Languages (CSE 3302) and Theoretical Concepts (CSE 3315) or an equivalent before attending this course.  

Textbook:
 
S. Russell and P. Norvig, "Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach", second edition (2003) or third edition (2009), Prentice Hall.

Course Materials:
 
Additional course materials such as lecture notes, assignments, and solutions will be available electronically on the course web page. Changes and corrections, if any, will also be announced by e-mail. 

Computer Access:
 
This course will require some programming and all students will have an account on the ACS machine omega. If not otherwise stated on the assignment homework assignments can be programmed in the language of your choice but have to compile and run on omega. If partial code is provided, however, it will generally be only provided in a limited number of languages. Additional details will be announced in class.


Assignments

There will be six programming assignments and six written assignments in this course. If you find yourself in an emergency situation and can not deliver a homework on time, immediately inform the instructor. Also, while working with other persons on non-graded example problems from the textbook is a good way to help you develop your understanding and insight into the techniques of problem solving, homework solutions must be your work only. Violations of this will not be tolerated and result in severe penalties for all parties involved, in strict compliance to official UTA policy.

Programming assignments have to run on the ACS machine omega.

All homework submissions (written and programming) must be submitted via Blackboard. Interim reports for programming assignments should be submitted via e-mail to the instructor and the TA.

The submission deadlines for the programming and written assignments in this course are as follows:



Exams

There will be three midterms in this course. Each midterm is worth 20% of the course grade. All exams are open-book, and students are free to bring any printed or handwritten material (textbooks, notes, etc.) to consult during the exam. If for any such reason you can not attend an exam, inform the instructor as early as possible, and be prepared to document your emergency circumstances in writing (e.g., a note from a doctor).

Grading

Late submission policy:
 
All assignments are graded out of 100 points. Assignments submitted late will be penalized, at a rate of 2 penalty points per hour. The submission time will be the time shown on the Blackboard submission system. Any assignment submitted more than 50 hours late will receive no credit. Exceptions will only be made for documented emergencies, in strict adherence to UTA policy. Computer/network crashes are NOT an acceptable excuse for late submissions. To avoid problems with such crashes and last-minute problems, students are encouraged to submit early. You can always revise your submission till the deadline.

CSE 5360:
 
For students enrolled in the graduate section CSE 5360 the homework assignments, as well as the exams, may contain additional problems which are not required for students enrolled in CSE 4308.

Grading Policy:
 
Exams and homework assignments will contribute to the overall grade in the following way:

Written Assignments 15%
Programming Assignments 25%
Midterm 1 20 %
Midterm 2 20 %
Midterm 3 20 %

For undergraduate students, the ABET assessment will consist of programming assignment 3 and written assignment 3. Undergraduate students achieving a semester grade of C or better, but failing the assessment (below 60%) and documenting their circumstances will be assigned a semester grade of I (incomplete) and may re-attempt the assessment in the next semester. If the assessment is then passed, the semester grade will be changed from I to the achieved grade.

Any request for re-grading (for an assignment or exam) must be made within two weeks of receipt of that grade.


University Policies and Services

Drop Policy:
 
The standard UTA drop policy applies to this course.

Americans With Disabilities Act:
 
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

Faculty members are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty of their need for accommodation and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability. Also, you may visit the Office for Students with Disabilities in room 102 of University Hall or call them at (817) 272-3364.

Academic Integrity:
 
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

"Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents' Rules and Regulations, Series 50101, Section 2.2)

Student Support Services Available:
 
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. These programs include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.