CS 561: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

Spring 2010

Artificial Intelligence (AI) seeks to understand the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior, and their embodiment in machines. This course approaches AI by using Intelligent Agents as an integrating perspective on the key topics in intelligent behavior.

Grades will be based on:

• Homeworks (5% each for 4 homeworks, for a total of 20%)
• Programming projects (10% each for 2 projects, for a total of 20%)
• Midterms (15% each, for a total of 30%)
• Final (30%)

HANDING IN HOMEWORK + PROJECTS: All homeworks and projects need to be handed in using DEN's turnitin service from the class blackboard page.

The midterms and final will be open book and notes, but must along with the programming projects reflect just the work of the individual student, with no outside help (except for questions asked of the instructor and TA). No make up exams will be given.

Projects and homeworks handed in one day late will result in a 25% reduction in the total score, two days late will yield a 50% reduction, and no credit will be give for three or more days late.

NOTE ON REGRADING: Once you have gotten your graded work back (homework, project or midterm) you have one week to ask for a review of the grade if you think there was an error in the grade. After that, no regrading will be done. There will be no exceptions.

Ability to program in C++, including knowledge of major data structures.

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to the TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.

USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations both to protect one's own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another's work as one's own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles. Scampus, the Student Guidebook, contains the Student Conduct Code in Section 11.00, while the recommended sanctions are located in Appendix A: http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/gov/. Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for further review, should there be any suspicion of academic dishonesty. The Review process can be found at: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/.