Syllabus
| Code of Conduct |
| Communication |
| Coursework & Grading |
| Policies & Accommodations |
| Harassment Help |
About This Class
Tuesday & Thursday 1:00–2:15, Sondheim 101
Instructor: Dr. Cynthia Matuszek (Dr M) •
cmat@umbc.edu •
ITE 331
Office hours: Monday 11:00-12:00, Friday 1:30-2:30.
TA: Pat Jenkins • pjenk1@umbc.edu •
ITE 340
Office hours: Tuesday 2:30-3:30, Wednesday 12-1.
This course will serve as an introduction to artificial intelligence concepts and techniques. 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 several guest lecturers through the semester 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, 3rd. Edition, Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvig. Prentice Hall, 2009.
Note: The edition matters!
Note: The website for this book has links to many useful online AI resources.
Prerequisites:
Strong programming skills, especially in Python. We will use Python as a computational vehicle for exploring the techniques and their application. 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.
You are absolutely required to make sure you have read and understood the Class Academic Integrity Policy. I take academic integrity very seriously. So seriously it has its own page.
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. 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 one if the resources listed at the bottom of the page.
We will use the discussion forum Piazza extensively, including
important or time-critical updates, questions and discussion, class participation, and links. The only
thing we'll use Blackboard for is posting grades and turning in assignments.
You are responsible for knowing the information that is posted on Piazza,
including class announcements, hints, and discussion of assignments.
You should join the class Piazza discussion board right away.
Be sure to set your email preferences so that the messages will come regularly to an account that
you actually read.
You can, and should, post questions on Piazza to be answered by your fellow students and/or TA
and professor.
General questions (i.e., anything that another student may also be wondering about) should be posted here,
rather than sent to the professor and TA. Responses posted by students to questions on Piazza must follow
the academic integrity guidelines outlined above, so it's okay to post about questions about the assignment,
resources you're using, clarifications to the question, and general approaches—just don't post code
(either in questions or answers).
Any course-related email must be sent to the professor and
the TA. If you send email just to the professor, it may be answered late (or just lost). We will make a
concerted effort to answer e-mail that goes to both professor and TA in 24-48 hours; however, Piazza
posts will get faster responses.
Course grades will be based on the following work. The final weighting may be changed slightly.
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. Turnin date is determined by Blackboard. This means
that if Blackboard says something is late, it is late. You can turn in multiple versions of an assignment;
we will grade the last one.
Work turned in after the due date will accrue a 25% late penalty per day unless
arrangements have been made in advance with the professor.
Please do not ask us to change or waive the late penalty unless something extraordinary happens.
Academic Integrity:
Communication
I expect all students to participate in classroom discussions, both by asking questions and by
expressing opinions. In return, I will make myself available to answer questions, listen to
concerns, and talk to any student about topics related to the class (or not). I welcome your
feedback throughout the semester about how the course is going. In addition to regular office hours,
you can schedule an appointment with me if you think one-on-one time would help.
Piazza:
Email:
Coursework and Grading
Late Work:
If Blackboard says something is late, it is late.
The late penalty is firm.
Classroom Policies
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.
Harassment and Inclusion Help
Any student who has experienced sexual harassment or assault, relationship violence, stalking, or discrimination is strongly encouraged to seek support and resources. There are a number of resources available to you. I am always available to discuss any concerns. My goal is to listen, support you (personally and institutionally), answer questions, and help you take action or solve problems.
Please be aware that in some cases (sexual assault, domestic violence, relationship violence, stalking, or gender-based harassment), I and other faculty are required to report the existence of a problem to the university so they can inform you of resources available, and ensure your safety and that of other students. You will not be forced to to file a police report, but be aware that the University may take action.
If you need to speak with someone in confidence about an incident, UMBC has the following Confidential Resources available to support you:
- The Counseling Center: 410-255-2742 (M-F 8:30-5)
- University Health Services: 410-455-2542 (M-F 8:30-5)
- For after-hours emergency consultation, call the police at 410-455-5555
- The Women's Center (available to students of all genders): 410-455-2714 (M-Th 9:30-6, F 9:30-4)
- Title IX Coordinator: 410-455-1606 (9-5)
Child Abuse and Neglect: Please note that Maryland law requires that I report all closure or suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Service and/or the police.