CS 327: Artificial Intelligence, Winter 2000
Syllabus

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, Stuart Russell & Peter Norvig, Prentice Hall, 1995.
LISP, Patrick Henry Winston & Berthold Klaus Paul Horn, Addison-Wesley, 1997. (optional)

The assignments will be short-term in nature, and can include both non-computer activities and programming.
The class project is due at the end of the term. You can choose to do essentially anything inside the area of AI, so long as I approve it in advance. You can build on material we do in class, or you can use it as an opportunity to learn about subject matter we don't have time to cover.

You are encouraged to work together, given the following ground rules:

Non-computer assignments: You should turn in your own assignment. You may work with other people, but each of you should be turning in your own.
Computer assignments: You may work together on these in pairs, if you wish. Include everyone's names in documentation at the top. Make sure to cite any ideas you get from other people.
Take-home exams: Do these completely on your own. You can discuss them only with me.
Final project: You may do this in pairs, if you wish.

Each section of the class will have its own grader. This has the following ramifications on collaboration:

Non-computer assignments: Since you will be turning in your own assignment anyway, you may collaborate with anyone you wish in either section.
Computer assignments: You may discuss the computer assignments with anyone in either section. However, if you choose to turn in one program with a partner, you both must be in the same section. Otherwise, we would end up having both graders grading the same project, which would be bad for lots of reasons :)
Take-home exams: No collaboration, so no issues here.
Final project: I will be grading these, so you can work with someone in another section if you wish. You will both receive the same grade for the project, but keep in mind that I will be assigning class grades within each section independently.

Each assignment will have a specific time for which it will be due. An assignment turned in late within one day of the due time will be docked 25%. A program turned in later than one day of the due date but within two days will be docked 50%. This policy is to protect the grader, but also to encourage you to begin your work as early as possible.
There will be no grace period on the final project.

If you need help with an assignment or project, you can consult with other students, ask a lab assistant, or come to me. I am happy to answer your questions either in person or via email.

Details

We will cover approximately the following material in Russell & Norvig: