CS 2400: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, 2021

Instructor: Rob Hasker (414-277-7326)

Office hours: See my home page: https://faculty-web.msoe.edu/hasker/

Textbooks: Required: Artificial Intelligence: Foundations of Computational Agents, Poole and Mackworth
    –  Available for free at https://artint.info/2e/html/ArtInt2e.html
Optional: Artificial Intelligence Illuminated, Ben Coppin, ISBN 0763732303
Optional: Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, Stuart Russel, Peter Norvig ISBN 0136042597

Course Description:

The objective of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of artificially intelligent systems. Topics covered include knowledge representation, problem solving using search and the agent framework. The role of AI in engineering and computing systems is presented, and students complete exercises that develop skills in applying AI tools and languages to real-world problems.
Prereq: CS 2852, CS 2300, and (MA2310 or MA1830)

Format: 2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours, 3 credits

Course Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to

Grading

  Percentage  
Labs  30%
Quizzes/exercises/participation:  20%
Midterm:  20%
Final Exam:  20%
Final Group Project:  10%
Total: 100%

The MSOE grading scale will be used, though higher grades may be awarded to individual students if it increases fairness. In addition, successfully demonstrating mastery of course outcomes is a prerequisite for a passing grade. This includes being successful on the final exam and, in some cases, completing assignments even if they are worth zero points.

Communication

I will either link to materials or provide materials on Canvas. This includes quizzes, exams, assignments, notes, and other materials. I also provide materials at my class web site https://faculty-web.msoe.edu/hasker/ai-cs2400/ such as sample programs illustrating key concepts and upcoming notes. Class announcements and (when relevant) lectures will be provided via Teams. I intend to record one lecture for each class day (either section) and make those available on Canvas. There may be times where there are pre-recorded lectures. It is critical you enable notifications for the Teams entries for CS 2400. Many announcements will be made that way and no other. I may also use email at times. I expect you to check for electronic communications at least once a day.

Labs, Assignments, and Quizzes

Lab solutions which do not run or which do not produce some correct output will be worth 0 points. However, you can get partial credit for partially working solutions. Estimate how long the lab will take, and if it takes much longer then it is definitely time to see your instructor!

Unless otherwise announced, late assignment solutions (for labs and exercises) will be penalized 2% per day, and solutions more than a week late are worth 0 points unless there is advance arrangement for extenuating circumstances. Unless you have written permission, all assignments must be submitted before Monday of finals week.

Assignments are individual unless we explicitly state otherwise. It is OK to look at another student's code with them to help them fix an error, but it is not OK to have a copy of another student's code at any time or in any form. Electronic tools will be used to identify plagiarism, and students guilty of either copying or "loaning" out their code will be penalized. If you store your code in a repository, do not make it public.

Code will be graded for both correctness and meeting standards.

Missed quizzes cannot be made up, but at least one of the lowest quiz or exercise scores will be dropped.

Attendance

Do not skip class! If you do happen to miss, be sure to check for new materials and get the notes you missed from a friend before the next class period. You are responsible for anything missed! If you need to be excused from class for MSOE activities or religious observances, be sure to me know in advance. If you're sick, it's obviously not a good idea to come to class. This includes days on which there are exams; just be sure to contact me as soon as you can get to a phone or computer.

Using phones and laptops during class to check social media, write papers, etc. is a form of missing class!

Strongly consider taking hand-written notes for this class. The slides omit many details on purpose. Note the campus printers will easily scan documents so you can organize your notes electronically.

Do not record or distribute video or audio of lectures without my permission.

When an exam is missed, I will determine whether to give you a make-up exam or increase the weight of the other exams. All students must take the final exam to receive a passing grade in the course unless the student has been excused in advance.

For students with documented disabilities, chronic medication conditions and mental health concerns: MSOE provides services to make reasonable accommodations available. If you are a student who requires or anticipates the need for accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services Office at 414-277-7281, by email at moureau@msoe.edu, or in person at K250 to discuss appropriate accommodations and eligibility requirements.

Course Topics