Syllabus • Schedule • Academic Integrity 

Syllabus

About This Class

Tuesday & Thursday 1-2:15, ITE 233

Instructor: Dr. Cynthia Matuszek (Dr M)   •   cmat@umbc.edu   •   ITE 331
Office hours: Th 9:30-10:30, or by appointment.

TA: Bryan Cheung   •   bcheung2@umbc.edu  •   Office hours: 11:30-12:45 PM Tuesdays, or by email.

Please read the University's required syllabus language on disability accommodations, sexual harassment, and other forms of discrimination.

You are absolutely required to make sure you have read and understood the Class Academic Integrity Policy. I take academic integrity extremely seriously.

Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to artificial intelligence concepts and techniques. We will use Python as a computational vehicle for exploring the techniques and their application. Specific topics we will cover include the history and philosophy of AI, the agent paradigm in AI systems, search, game playing, knowledge representation and reasoning, more search, logical reasoning, uncertain reasoning and Bayes nets, planning, machine learning, and multi-agent systems, robotics, and natural language processing. If time permits, we may also briefly touch on functional programming, perception, and applications of AI.

The class, like the field of AI itself, is very broad. We'll cover a lot of subjects in a relatively short period of time. This means a lot of reading, but also a lot of exposure to neat (and useful) concepts. This is a foundational class—students should expect to come away with a good grasp of the terminology, fundamental approaches, and background of AI broadly, and be prepared for subsequent classes in topics such as machine learning, NLP, robotics, knowledge representation, and vision. We will also have guest lecturers who will talk about their AI-related research areas to help students tie the core ideas we are learning to their applications in research.

Textbook:

Required: Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 4th Edition, Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvig.
Note: The edition matters!
Note: The website for this book has links to many useful online AI resources.
Note: This text is part of the University's CMI program and can be accessed through Blackboard.

Prerequisites:

Strong programming skills, especially in Python. We assume you have a solid background in Boolean logic, basic probability theory and combinatorics, complexity analysis, algorithm design, and data structures. If you did not learn much about these topics, you may have to brush up on them on your own. Additional probability theory/statistics, linear algebra, and complexity theory will also be useful.

Conduct

Harassment, Hostility, and Inclusion

All students are entitled to a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment both inside and outside the classroom. This includes freedom from harassment, violence, prejudice, and exclusionary behavior toward any group. It also includes a welcoming atmosphere and appropriate accommodations for all situations. Class discussions will remain respectful of one another's views, and voices from all groups are equally welcome. This includes respectful responses to points of view we disagree with. Disagreements are welcome and valuable to the discussion; unkind, sarcastic, or dismissive comments are not. We will use one another's preferred pronouns and forms of address, and listen carefully to each other. Any form of sexual harassment or discriminatory behavior is unacceptable.

If you see someone, including the professor or TA, engaging in behavior that doesn't meet these standards, I encourage you to say something, either at the time or in private. I will take you seriously and will never retaliate for criticism. I am always available to discuss problems—in the class, in the program, or in general. (Please read the section on University guidelines, below, on what I must report.) If you have concerns about whether you might violate these guidelines accidentally or whether they protect you and your needs adequately, come talk to me. Again, you will never be retaliated against for these discussions. If you have concerns about talking to me and/or the TA, please consider reaching out to someone in the department or university resources.

Here's another link to the University's syllabus language on discrimination.

Coursework and Grading

Course grades will be based on the following work. The final weighting may be changed slightly.

  • Homework: 30% (4-6 biweekly assignments that may be worked on individually or, as announced, in small groups)
  • Course project: 30%
  • Midterm exam: 20%
  • Final exam: 20%

Late Work:

I expect good time management, but collisions (such as conference attendance) can always happen. We will address these on a case-by-case basis; the sooner you let us know there's a conflict, the better. Extensions of up to one week may be granted on an individual basis by the instructor in some circumstances, if requested well in advance. Repeated requests for extensions, or requests for extensions less than a week ahead, will be denied other than in extraordinary circumstances.

Homeworks will be due by 11:59pm on the due date unless something else has been posted. They are due the day before the relevant lecture on the schedule. Work turned in after the due date will accrue a 25% late penalty per day unless arrangements have been made with the professor.

Once homework has been graded, only the professor can change grades. The TA cannot. Grade change requests must be submitted in writing, to the professor with the TA Cc'd, and must contain a clear written justification for the reason behind the request.

Absentee and Makeup Policies

First of all, please note that classroom policy is to stay home when you are sick. This is for everyone's protection. I do not require documentation or a doctor's note in most cases. If you (1) miss more than 2 consecutive classes, or (2) your outage causes you to need a different class schedule (e.g., extensions on a homework or you miss a quiz or exam), talk to me about whether I need any documentation.

Barring illness, attending class regularly is part of your grade, and you are responsible for knowing material or announcements that are covered in lecture. That said, I am aware that occasionally people encounter conflicts, get sick, etc. If you miss class, it's your responsibility to make sure you have the material you need to catch up, which may include coming to office hours or setting up an appointment. We are always available for this, regardless of the reason you fell behind.

If you are missing class regularly, this will affect your grade. If there is a reason (medical issues, family situation, transportation, etc.), please talk to me as soon as it starts becoming a problem so we can come up with a plan.

Rescheduling

Some absences will result in missing deadlines. In cases of foreseeable absence, such as a scheduled trip, you must notify me in advance in order to receive extensions or to reschedule. In cases of unforeseeable absence such as a medical emergency or severe illness, contact me as soon as you can, before class if at all possible. While you are never guaranteed to receive extensions or chances to reschedule, I will work with you on a case-by-case basis to find the best solution.

Classroom Policies

  • No devices. Because you will be doing some work in class, you may want to bring a laptop with you. However, except when specified, laptops, computers, and phones must remain closed, down, or put away. For more, read this article.
  • Please don't eat in class, for the same reason: it can be very distracting to other students, especially if people can smell your food.
  • Be courteous to one another. Listen to your classmates' questions and comments without interrupting, and consider what they are saying; when someone is presenting, give them your attention.

Students with Accommodations

The office of Student Disability Services (SDS, https://sds.umbc.edu) works to ensure students can access and take advantage of UMBC's educational environment, regardless of disability. I am committed to ensuring that you have access to all materials and arrangements that will allow you to succeed in this and every course. Please don't hesitate to discuss accommodation issues with me.

Please also see the SDS's recommended syllabus statement about accommodations and disability.