CS 561: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

Spring 2011

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 25% (5% each for 5 homeworks)
• Programming projects 25% (12.5% each for 2 projects)
• Midterm - 20%
• Final - 30%

HANDING IN HOMEWORK + PROJECTS: All homeworks and projects need to be handed in before 5pm on due date using DEN's turnitin service from the class blackboard page. Extensions must be requested at least 48 hours prior to due date. No exceptions.

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.

NOTE ON MATERIAL COVERED ON MIDTERM AND FINAL: The midterm and final will cover all the material which has been discussed in class up to that point. Readings in the book sometimes cover material not discussed in class. If a topic in the book has not been discussed in class or in the lecture notes, then it will not be on the midterm. Sometimes I will use a different terminology in class than what is given in the book. Unless stated otherwise in class, lecture notes and what has been discussed in class will take precedence over the book.

Ability to program in C++ or Java in a Unix/Linux environment. Knowledge of data structures. There will be programming projects and your programs will be run and evaluated on the CS servers.

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/.