CSC 581B: Topics in Artificial Intelligence: "Logic and Artificial Intelligence"

Term

Fall 2011

Course Website

http://www.csc.uvic.ca/courses/csc581b

Instructor

Bill Wadge
Email: wwadge at cs.uvic.ca
Office: ECS 618
Phone Number: (250)472-5723

Lecture Schedule

(A01)     MWR    15:30 - 16:20     ECS 108

Laboratory Schedule

No Labs

Course Overview

To present some important and/or new ideas in logic that are (or may be, or should be) of theoretical and practical relevance to Artificial Intelligence.

Topics

Horn logic programming (Prolog) and variations and extensions (such as higher order);
Non-monotonic systems, using eg negation or defaults;
Intensional (contextual) logic, e.g. temporal and spatial, and logics formalizing knowledge, belief, obligation, counterfactuals;
Nonstandard formalisms closer to natural language;
Heuristic (informal) logic
Prototypical applications: game playing, puzzle solving, natural language processing.

Course Objectives And Learning Outcomes

Students will learn a set of fundamental logic-based techniques and be able to apply them to produce modest applications. They will also acquire on overview of the rich variety of logical systems relevant to AI.

Textbooks

None

Other Materials

Online material, and classroom videos covering important points.

Assignments

In this course there will be 4 assignments. Each assignment is worth 7.5% for a total of 30%. Typically, you will have 2-3 weeks to solve an assignment.

Project(s)

In this course there will be a project worth 40%, consisting of a written report and an in-class demo/presentation. Projects will normally be done by self selecting groups of 2 or 3 students. Groups must be formed and topics proposed and approved before the midterm. Presentation will take place during the last 2-3 weeks of term.

Exams

There will be a midterm worth 30% on Thursday, October 20, 2011.
No final exam.

Term Schedule

Assignment 1	due week 3
Assignment 2	due week 5
Assignment 3	due week 7
Project proposals	20 October, 2011
Midterm	20 October, 2011
Assignment 4	due week 9
Project presentations	last 3 weeks

Grading

Coursework	Weight (out of 100%)
Assignments	30%
Project	40%
Midterm Exam	30%

Grades	Description
A+	Exceptional work. Technically flawless and original work demonstrating insight, understanding and independent application or extension of course expectations; often publishable.
A	Outstanding work. Demonstrates a very high level of integration of material demonstrating insight, understanding and independent application or extension of course expectations.
A-	Excellent work. Represents a high level of integration, comprehensiveness and complexity, as well as a mastery level of relevant techniques/concepts..
B+	Very good work. Represents a satisfactory level of integration, comprehensiveness and complexity; demonstrates a sound level of analysis with no major weakness.
B	Acceptable work that fulfills the expectations of the course. Represents a satisfactory level of integration of key concepts/procedures. However, comprehensiveness or technical skills may be lacking.
B-, C+, C, D	Unacceptable work revealing some deficiencies in knowledge, understanding or techniques. Represents an unacceptable level of integration, comprehensiveness and complexity. Mastery of some relevant techniques or concepts lacking.
F	Failing grade. Unsatisfactory performance. Wrote final examination and competed course requirements.

Final Grades are obtained by converting the numerical scores using the table below. Dividing lines between letter grades may be adjusted by a maximum of 3% to account for natural breaks in the numeric scores.

F	D	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A	A+
0-49	50-54	55-59	60-64	65-69	70-74	75-80	81-86	87-93	94-100

Posting Of Grades

Term marks, provisional final grades and final grades will be posted by student number. NO NAME WILL APPEAR. These postings are for your information and for your validation of the data entry. If you do not wish your term marks and grades to be publicly posted in this manner, please notify the course instructor by e-mail no later than Friday, September 16, 2011.

This course aims to provide equal opportunities and access for all students to enjoy the benefits and privileges of the class and its curriculum and to meet the syllabus requirements. Reasonable and appropriate accommodation will be made available to students with documented disabilities (physical, mental, learning) in order to give them the opportunity to successfully meet the essential requirements of the course. The accommodation will not alter academic standards or learning outcomes, although the student may be allowed to demonstrate knowledge and skills in a different way. It is not necessary for you to reveal your disability and/or confidential medical information to the course instructor. If you believe that you may require accommodation, the course instructor can provide you with information about confidential resources on campus that can assist you in arranging for appropriate accommodation. Alternatively, you may want to contact the Resource Centre for Students with a Disability located in the Campus Services Building.

The University of Victoria is committed to promoting, providing, and protecting a positive, and supportive and safe learning and working environment for all its members.