Unit outline for Artificial Intelligence (CITS4211).

6 points / Semester 1
Location: UWA (Crawley)

Handbook description

Artificial intelligence (AI) is concerned with giving computers high-level abilities such as problem solving, reasoning, learning and communicating, and makes use of algorithms that are inspired by the way humans and other species interact with the world. While this is a difficult task, it has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years with the provision of fast distributed hardware, the incorporation of AI algorithms in widely-used commercial software, and the need for agents that can make sense of the ever-burgeoning World Wide Web. This unit considers the problem of building 'intelligent agents'. It involves the study of structures and algorithms that allow an agent to act rationally in the world while given only partial information about the world. Topics covered include search, two-player game algorithms, sequential decision problems, machine learning, knowledge representation and reasoning, and planning. The topics are supported by hands-on programming projects that put the theory into practice.

Prerequisites: CITS2200 Data Structures and Algorithms

Unit aims

Students develop a broad understanding of the field of artificial intelligence (AI), the kinds of problems it addresses, and the types of solutions that have been proposed; gain a working knowledge of the fundamental structures and algorithms that have been developed in major areas of artificial intelligence, and the ability to identify problems and formulate solutions in those areas; acquire in-depth technical competence in a sub-area of AI through practical work that provides the opportunity for exploration, development and comparison of solutions; and experience working as part of a team.

Teaching staff

Unit Co-ordinator: Dr Cara MacNish

Textbook

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 2nd Ed, S. Russel and P. Norvig (aka "The Intelligent Agent Book")

Contact hours

62 (lectures: 26 hrs; labs/seminars: 36 hrs)

Assessment

This comprises a mid-semester test, a lab-based team project and an examination. The test and examination assess students' general understanding of the field and its fundamental algorithms, including the ability to identify problems and formulate solutions. The laboratory exercise allows students to put the theory into practice. A team project allows students to formulate, implement and test in-depth solutions to a problem as well as gain experience at functioning effectively as part of a team. Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete the course.

Unsatisfactory progress

Any student who does not demonstrate satisfactory progress in this unit, as defined in the Faculty's policies on assessment practices and procedures, may be refused admission to the final examinations. The final deadline for notification of unsatisfactory progress is the last day of Week 10.

Penalties

The School of Computer Science and Software Engineering has adopted a policy on minimum penalties for late items of assessment. This is the default policy of all units unless indicated otherwise, in writing, by the specific unit coordinator.

This policy shall apply to all items of continuous assessment, whether submitted either physically or electronically. Immediately after the submission deadline for an item of continuous assessment, a penalty of 20 percent will be applied PER DAY or PART THEREOF. The minimum mark possible for late submission is zero. The percentage is based on the item´s total contribution to the unit´s assessment. For example, a project contributing 40% to the unit´s assessment will incur a penalty of 8 marks for each day late until it is submitted or a mark of zero results.

A more detailed description is given in this School´s policy on late submission. The Faculty does have an appeals procedure, the details of which can found at the policy for appeals.

Special consideration

Applications for consideration, deferral of tests or exams or extensions of time for assignments on medical, personal or other grounds must be lodged with the faculty office no later than three working days after the due date for the assessment in question. This rule will apply to all students, except in exceptional circumstances.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is broadly defined to be when any portion of the work presented for assessment, can be attributed to another party. The student making the submission should acknowledge what aspects of the presented work is not directly derived by them. For the purposes of plagiarism it is irrelevant that you have been given permission by someone to copy their work and present it as your own.

You are directed to the Faculty's policy on plagiarism.

Academic misconduct

The University of Western Australia strongly supports teaching and learning that promotes academic literacy and ethical scholarship for all students. As part of this commitment, UWA has recently developed new guidelines relating to Academic Misconduct (including plagiarism). It is also developing a range of resources for students and staff to further strengthen academic literacy and ethical scholarship at UWA. Further information is available on the Teaching and Learning website.

Academic Conduct Essentials (ACE)

All students who have not previously been enrolled at UWA are required to complete a short compulsory online module called Academic Conduct Essentials (ACE) within the first 10 weeks of semester. ACE introduces students to essential knowledge regarding ethical scholarship, helps prepare them for the expectations of their university career and informs them of correct academic conduct.

The unit can be accessed via WebCT. The final unit quiz must be completed with a mark of 80% or greater. Students may attempt the quiz as many times as they wish to gain the required pass mark. Completion of the unit will be recorded as an Ungraded Pass (UP) on students’ academic records. Non-completion (NC) within the required timeframe will also be documented on formal academic records.

Faculty Marks Adjustment Policy

Final assessment is subject to the Faculty's scaling policy.

Supplementary Examinations

Supplementary examinations will be awarded in accordance with the Faculty policy on supplementary assessment.

Student rights

Consult the University's Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities.