CSCI 571 Artificial Intelligence, Section 1820

Fall 2011
Prerequisite: None IMPORTANT: All studnets mut have a valid UNVA issued by university. Please go to student potral, click on My profile and make sure unva emial is your primary email. Since all faculty are using portal to send group emails to students registered for thieir courses, students who use Yahoo, hotmail ..etc may not receive their instructors email. Administrative Information: Term Duration: Class Day/Time: Location: Campus Phone numbers: Annandale: 703-941-0949 Kings Park: 703-537-0755 Manassas: 703-392-0487 Instructor Contact Information: Instructor: Mir Mohammed Assadullah E-mail: massadullah.faculty@unva.edu Phone: 571-505-0186 (Emergencies Only) Instructional Material: Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach Edition: 3rd Author(s): Russell, Stuart; Norvig, Peter September 30 to December 22, 2011 Sundays 6:15 PM to 10:00 PM Room AN1-G109 (Annandale1)

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Course Description: CSCI 571 is a graduate-level introduction to artificial intelligence. HighLevel Topics include: Introduction to the history of artificial intelligence and applications, Agents and environments, performance measures and rationality Problem solving by searching. Uninformed search algorithms: breadth-first and depth-first with strategies among others. Informed search: Greedy best-first search, A*, heuristic functions and local search algorithms Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs): Backtracking search for CSPs, variable and value ordering among others Adversarial Search: Games and optimal decisions, the Minimax algorithm, Alpha-Beta Pruning algorithm, Imperfect real-time decisions among others Knowledge and reasoning: Knowledge-based agents, the Wumpus World, Propositional Logics syntax and semantics, knowledge base (KB) and inference First-Order Logic: Syntax and semantics to include models, symbols, terms, sentences and quantifiers among others. Planning: planning operators/languages, planning algorithms including: partial-order planning, replanning, and conditional planning

Course Learning Outcome: Students will be introduced to the basic concepts and techniques of Artificial Intelligence. They will learn AI by developing skills of using AI algorithms for solving practical problems. Upon successfully completing this course, students will develop the knowledge and relevant skills to: Understand what AI is: the main trends and corresponding problems tackled in AI. Understand the challenges of designing intelligent programs. Understand what agents are, and how they contribute to the development of solutions to AI problems. Explain, compare, and use the major search and planning techniques: a practical and theoretical understanding of uninformed and informed search. Develop a clear understanding of Constraint Satisfaction Problems, Adversarial Search algorithms and optimal decisions in games. Be familiar with the design of Knowledge Based Systems and production rules, through study of classic examples among others.

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Gain experience of doing study and research. Demonstrate the appropriate level of competence in written expression as demanded by the discipline and as expected of a graduate student. Demonstrate the appropriate level of competence in library research as demanded by the discipline and as expected of a graduate student

Teaching Method: The class format will include readings, multimedia based presentations, and case discussion. Small development projects will be included for both individual and team work. Significant class time will be used to discuss, explore and analyze recent developments and technologies. This course emphasizes the importance of relating the gained knowledge to real world applications so practical development projects will be an integral part of the course. These practical projects will be part of each unit; this allows continuous integration of theory and practice. This class is taught as a lecture, with demonstrations of key processes and homework that require students to use the programs and processes so that they are practicing their skills outside the classroom. This class does not include a formal laboratory component. Students should use the computer laboratories at either campus if they do not have easy computer access elsewhere to complete necessary homework and class projects. Students should take this practical aspect of the course very seriously, and ask questions in class if they do not understand any aspect of the software we use.

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Course Schedule and Outline: Week Ending 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 10/2/2011 10/9/2011 10/16/2011 10/23/2011 10/31/2011 11/6/2011 11/13/2011 11/20/2011 11/27/2011 Required Reading Chapter 1 & 2 Chapter 3 & 4 Chapter 5 & 6 Chapter 7 & 8 Chapter 9 Final Project Paper Due Project Presentations Comprehensive Final Examination Quiz 2 Project Draft Paper Due Quiz 3 Graded Assignments, Research Papers, Quizzes & Examinations Project Proposal Due Quiz 1

12/4/2011 Chapter 10 12/11/2011 Chapter 11 12/18/2011

NOTE: All assignments, quizzes and examinations must be completed and submitted by their due date/time to qualify for receiving a grade. Weekly breakdown The following weekly learning outcomes will be addressed on a weekly basis: Week 1: Introduction and history AIs many branches Applications of AI AI programming and languages Recursion Intelligent Agents Week 2: Solving problems by searching Goal-based agents Well-defined problems Graphs & trees Searching for solutions Evaluation of search strategies Uninformed VS informed search Depth-first and breadth-first search Informed search and exploration Best-First-Search Algorithms Heuristic Functions Local Search Algorithms Week 3: ***** QUIZ 1 **** Page 4 of 9

Week 4: Constraint Satisfaction Problems Formal description of CSPs Map coloring examples CSP formulation Varieties of Constraints Adversarial Search Multi-agent environments Optimal decisions in Games 2 player deterministic game tree The minimax algorithm Alpha-beta pruning Evaluation functions Cutting off the search Games with elements of chance Expectiminimax algorithm Week 5: ***** QUIZ 2 **** Week 6: Logical Agents Knowledge-based agents Building knowledge bases Agent design The Wumpus World Sensors and percepts revisited Logical reasoning Inference algorithms Propositional Logic Validity and satisfiability First-order-logic PL versus FOL Week7: ***** Quiz 3 ***** Week 8: Inference in FOL Unification and Lifting Forward chaining Backward chaining Logic Programming Week 9: ***** FINAL PROJECT DUE & FINAL PRESENTATIONS **** Week 10: Classical Planning Algorithms for State-Space Search Planning Graphs Week 11: Time, Schedules, and Resources Hierarchical Planning Week 12: ***** FINAL EXAMINATION **** Page 5 of 9

Course Requirement, Participation and Evaluation:

Evaluation will occur via quizzes, exams, homework assignments and class participation. Students are required to attend every class. Given the duration and the pace of the course coupled with the volume of the material covered each session may result in automatic drop from the class for students missing two sessions throughout the course. The deliverables will entail 1,000 possible points, broken down as follows: 450 = 3 x 150 points each 275 points 275 points 1000 points Three Quizzes Final Project and Report Final Exam Total Grade

The numerical score is then converted to a letter grade using the following scale: Above 900 (90%) A Above 800 (80%) B Above 700 (70%) C Below 700 F Late Policy for Exams, Quizzes, Discussions, and Assignments Please submit your assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams a on the due dates. Also Midterm and Final Exam must be taken on due date/s as scheduled.

Academic Integrity:
Academic honesty is non-negotiable. All assignments submitted in fulfillment of course requirements must be the student's own work. Plagiarism and/or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero on the assignment. Students should consult the Students Handbook on the University web-site or in the University catalog. Generally following grounds must be included as academic dishonesty:

Plagiarism presenting the work of another as ones own in a paper, exam,

other assignments, or WEB materials. Other Forms other forms of academic dishonesty include: selling or purchasing examinations, papers or other assignments and submitting or resubmitting the same paper for two different classes without explicit authorization. Cheating on Examinations copying anothers work or allowing your work to be copied; using unauthorized notes; taking anothers exam or having another take yours.

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Any other form of academic dishonesty will NOT be tolerated and will result in a grade of zero on the class. Students have a responsibility to protect their work from getting copied by others. Substantially or critically similar work of two or more students would earn a zero on the assignment or exam for all such students. To take more detail information, students may consult the Students Handbook on the University web-site or in the University catalog.

Attendance, Absence, Lateness, Incomplete:

International students in the US on F-1 visas, and Students receiving Veterans benefits are reminded that regular attendance is required. The university is required by law to report excessive absenteeism by students in these two categories. In accordance with the policies of the University of Northern Virginia, class attendance is required. If a student has more than three absences in consecutive weeks, he or she will be asked to meet with the International Student Advisor. It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor prior to an absence from class. Messages can be left at the instructors e-mail or phone. Students are responsible for work missed during an absence. Each class will start promptly at the scheduled time. A course grade of incomplete will be given only under very unusual circumstances, and only if the student has completed at least 75% of the assigned work by the last day of class and only when an incomplete contract is signed and approved.

General Questions and Important Course Announcements

Utilize the General Questions Forum to submit your general course-related questions to the professor. Check the Important Course Announcement Forum at least 2 times a week to stay abreast of important communications by the professor regarding the course.

Learning Resources/Library:
Utilization of library resources is an indispensible part of your education at the UNVA. Our librarians are available to assist you from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Please take advantage of this opportunity for assistance to your success while you are here at UNVA. The UNVA library offers an extensive range of resources, particularly online, for student use. Our library subscription journal databases include: ABI/INFORM Complete o ABI Dateline o ABI Global o ABI T&I Academic OneFile Business & Company Resource Center

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 Business ASAP Business Source Complete Computer Database Dissertations & Theses EconLit with Full Text Education Research Complete ERIC Expanded Academic ASAP General Business File ASAP General OneFile Health and Wellness Resource Center Health Reference Center Academic IBISWorld InfoTrac Custom Newspapers LegalTrac Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts Literature Resource Center Newsletters ASAP ProQuest Psychology Journals ProQuest Research Library Student Resource Center Gold Edition Teacher Reference Center ...and other article databases The library also provides access to thousands of electronic books, including: ebrary EBL Books Safari Business & Tech Books ...and other e-book collections Internet Usage: You will be expected to have daily access to the internet and e-mail. Assignment updates, additions and changes may be sent by e-mail. If you do not own a computer, there are computers accessible to you in UNVA computer labs and the UNVA Library. Related to internet usage, it is also expected that you are able to: Attach files to e-mails and retrieve attached files Use proper grammar and etiquette when writing e-mail Use virus protection utilities on your computer Use common applications such as word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. E-mail Usage:

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You should use your UNVA e-mail account when sending an e-mail message to any member of the teaching team. To set up an account please use the directions below. UNVA Student E-mail Account Activation Directions 1. E-mail box set up rules: First letter of first name + last name + last four numbers of student ID; For example a student name is John Lee and his student id is 107-00-2545 Then his e-mail account should start be jlee2546 Default password is unvaunva (lower case) 2. Website: http://stud.unva.edu (without WWW) or You may access your account via the homepage of www.unva.edu directly 3. Regarding UNVA student e-mail assistance issues, you may contact Ms. Er Liang eliang.admin@unva.edu for account creation or Mr. Henry Ou hou.admin@unva.edu for technical support. Please be aware of the limitations of e-mail and adhere to the following guidelines. Unfortunately, because of past experience, the guidelines now include those email behaviors to which no response will be given. Write the Course Code in subject line, then the topic (example: EDLD510: Annotated Bib. clarification). Include a greeting and salutation in all your e-mails. Include the name you prefer to be called. Retain all related e-mails at the bottom of any response you send and place your response at the top. I will not search through previous e-mails to attempt to discover the topic of our e-mail exchange, nor will I search through a message for new information. Content questions that require in-depth explanation are inappropriate for email and you will receive a response asking you to come to office hours to have the question answered. In online courses, or blended courses, you may be directed to post your question or comments to the appropriate online discussion forum. Do not use e-mail in emergency situations or when you need a response in less than 24 hours. The following types of e-mail will receive no response: Any e-mail which contains hostile or accusatory language will remain unanswered and the sender may be reported to the appropriate authorities. Any e-mail sent requesting a change of grade for any reason other than an error in calculation or recording of points will remain unanswered. Any e-mail sent which contains student opinions about the fairness of the course or exams will remain unanswered.

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