Elizabethtown College
CS 375 Artificial Intelligence
Syllabus

(Fall, 2004)

Professor: Dr. Joseph T. Wunderlich
Office: Nicarry 244
Phone: 361-1295
Email: wunderjt@etown.edu
Office Hours: http://users.etown.edu/w/wunderjt/schedules/Schedule Card f04 joe w.htm

Objectives: Machine Intelligence is found in many modern-day technologies and can be defined as encompassing all of the developments in both symbolic artificial intelligence and artificial neural networks. Traditional symbolic AI uses programmed heuristics and forms of knowledge representation to produce results in a seemingly more intelligent way than typical computer programs. Artificial neural networks are a form of connectionist computer architecture where many simple computational nodes are connected in an architecture similar to that of biological brains for the purpose of solving problems which require rapid adaptation or solutions where underlying governing equations are not known or cannot be easily computed This course begins with a comparison of human and machine intelligence followed by a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of current neural network theory and applications. A study of available neural network computer hardware and software is included. Ethical issues concerning artificial intelligence are also discussed. Several mobile robot and robotic arm concepts will be introduced.

Course Credit: Four

Prerequisites:

·          Computer Science I (CS 121) (mandatory)

·          Computer Science II (CS 122) (recommended)

·          Algorithms and Data Structures (CS 221) (recommended)

·          Calculus I (Math 121or 117) (mandatory)

·          Calculus II (Math 122) (mandatory)

·          Linear Algebra (Math 201) (recommended)

 

Prerequisite Topics:

·          Derivation of algorithms  (mandatory)

·          Differentiation  (mandatory)

·          Integration  (mandatory)

·          Calculus of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions (recommended)

·          Matrix manipulation (recommended)

·          Microsoft PowerPoint (for oral presentations)

·          Proper documentation of research

 

Course Text:

·          S. Haykin, "Neural Networks, A Comprehensive foundation." 2nd ed. Upper saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1999. (ISBN: 0132733501)

Supplimental Readings: (on reserve in the library)

·          Introduction to the theory of neural computation, Hertz, John, 1991                                                             

·          Neural and concurrent real-time systems: the sixth generation, Soucek, Branko, 1989                                                             

·          Neural and massively parallel computers: the sixth generation, Soucek, Branko, 1988                                                             

Other Recommended Readings: (J. Wunderlich library acquisitions)

·          Artificial intelligence: structures and strategies for complex problem solving, Luger, George F, 1998

·          Cambrian intelligence: the early history of the new AI, Brooks, Rodney Allen, 1999                     

·          The human mind according to artificial intelligence, Wagman, Morton, 1999

·          International Conference on Robotics and Automation [videorecording], 2000

·          Introduction to AI robotics, Murphy, Robin, 2000                     

·          Layered learning in multiagent systems: a winning approach to robotic soccer, Stone, Peter, 2000                                              

·          Neurocomputing: foundations of research,  Anderson, 1988

·          Neurotechnology for biomimetic robots,  Ayers, Joseph, 2002                                                               

·          Proceedings / IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 1986        

·          Proceedings 2000 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, 2000

·          Pulsed neural networks, Mass, Wolfgang, 2001

·          Robo sapiens: evolution of a new species, Menzel, Peter, 2000

Grading:

·          Homeworks =8%

·          Project #1 =20%

·          Project #2 =22%

·          Midterm exam(s) =20%

·          Comprehensive final exam =30%

COURSE GRADE:
        (60-62)=D-, (63-67)=D, (68-69)=D+, (70-72)=C-, (73-77)=C, (78-79)=C+, (80-82)=B-, (83-87)=B, (88-89)=B+, (90-92)=A-, (93-100)=A
        (with any fractional part rounded to the nearest integer)

 

Attendance: Exams will primarily cover material presented in lecture -- some of which may not be found in the texts.

 

Academic Honesty: Elizabethtown College Pledge of Integrity: "Elizabethtown College is a community engaged in a living and learning experience, the foundation of which is mutual trust and respect. Therefore, we will strive to behave toward one another with respect for the rights of others, and we promise to represent as our work only that which is indeed our own, refraining from all forms of lying, plagiarizing, and cheating."

 

Course Outline:

 

               I.      Neural networks vs. symbolic artificial intelligence

(1)     “Bottom-up” brain models

(2)     “Top-Down” brain models

(3)     Evolution of neural networks

                                                               i.      Perceptrons

                                                              ii.      Learning rules

                                                            iii.      Underlying neural network mathematical theories

1.        Multivariable calculus review

2.        Linear algebra review

                                                            iv.      Neural network applications

                                                              v.      Neural network hardware and software

(4)     Symbolic artificial intelligence

                                                               i.      Predicate calculus

                                                              ii.      Knowledge representation

                                                            iii.      A.I. programming languages

1.        Prolog

2.        LISP

                                                            iv.      Expert systems

             II.      Biological vs. machine intelligence. The following “Mental Abilities” will be discussed by answering five simple questions:

(1)     What can humans do?

(2)     What can a simple insect do? (e.g., a spider)

(3)     What can a conventional computer do?

(4)     What can symbolic A.I. programming do? 

(5)     What can artificial neural networks do?

Basic Animal Abilities: Acquire and retain knowledge, Solve problems, Motor coordination, Acquire energy, Protect self, Sensory processing, Real-time thought React instinctively, Anticipate, Predict, Communicate, Generalize, Associate, Recognition patterns, Robust under partial failure, Autonomous thought, Drive to reproduce, Stability, repeatability, predictability, Multitask

Complex Abilities: Abstraction, Intuition, Common sense, Manipulate tools, Heuristics, Inference, Hypothesis testing, Self-discipline, impulse-control, Ethical behavior, Selective awareness, Open to inspection, Emotions, Imagination, Creativity, Passion, Playfulness, Empathy, Leadership, Self-awareness, Awareness of mortality, Group psychology

           III.      Merging neural networks with symbolic artificial intelligence

           IV.      Introduction to robotics

(1)     Mobile robots

                                                               i.      Path-planning and obstacle avoidance

                                                              ii.      Environmental mapping

(2)     Robotic arms

                                                               i.      Kinematics

                                                              ii.      Path-planning and obstacle avoidance

             V.      Artificial humanoids

(1)     Emulating human physiology

                                                               i.      Biomechanics

                                                              ii.      Senses

                                                            iii.      Control systems

           VI.      Ethical Issues involving machine intelligence

(1)     Replacing humans

(2)     Aiding humans

(3)     Military uses

 

 

Assignment:             Project #1

Grading:                   20% of total course grade

Due Date:                 11/22/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

 

Last Revised:            11/15/04

 

Pretend you have just been hired by NASA to design an autonomous mobile robot to live on one of the moons of Jupiter where insect life has just been discovered. Assume this moon is terrestrial, has no other life, is always cloudy, has nights that are -100 degrees Fahrenheit and days that are 50 degrees. Also assume one of the other NASA research groups has designed a digestive system for your robot so that it can derive its energy by consuming insects that it has caught. Your robots primary goal is to gather data about its immediate environment (including obstacles, prey, and possibly hostile insects fighting for territory or food)

 

Your specific tasks are:

 

1.        Research the behavior of a specific type of earth spider; compare all of its mental abilities to those listed on the “mental ability matrix” defined in class.

 

2.        Write a computer simulation of your robot spider living in its environment. Your user interface should be as visual as possible; and the robots behavior should be as complex as possible.

 

Form groups of two or three people.

 

 On the project due-date, both a brief written report and a demonstration are due. The written report must contain:

1) A one page write-up including:

     a) background research findings

     b) path-planning strategy

2) All code (well commented)

 

 

Assignment:             Project #2

Grading:                   PROPOSAL: 2% of total course grade

Due Date:                 11/22/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Grading:                   FINAL PRESENTATION AND REPORT: 20% of total course grade; letter graded

Due Date:                 12/6/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

 

Last Revised:            11/15/04

 

The oral proposal should take approximately two to five minutes (not including answering audience questions). Groups of two or three people are ok; however all people must speak. The project is a major research project; however you may also do a design-build if you’re confident you can complete it. You must print copies of your proposal presentation and hand it in just before you present.

 

On the project due-date, both written and oral reports are due. The oral report must be done using either PowerPoint or a web page created by you for the project. It should take approximately ten to fifteen minutes and contain an appropriate number of visuals. All group members must speak. The written report must adhere the formatting as shown in “SAMPLE paper 1.doc  in the handouts folder (i.e., single-spaced, 10-point font, etc.); and should contain:

1) A one to two paragraph abstract

2) Miscellaneous discussions of details

3) Conclusions

4) A bibliography of referenced material (must cite at least one peer-reviewed article)

5) An appendix containing schematics, manufacturers literature, etc.

 

============================================================================================================

Assignment:             Homework #1

Due Date:                 9/6/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

See if you can add a couple of abilities to those listed below:

 

Basic Animal Abilities: Acquire and retain knowledge, Solve problems, Motor coordination, Acquire energy, Protect self, Sensory processing, Real-time thought React instinctively, Anticipate, Predict, Communicate, Generalize, Associate, Recognition patterns, Robust under partial failure, Autonomous thought, Drive to reproduce, Stability, repeatability, predictability, Multitask

 

Complex Abilities: Abstraction, Intuition, Common sense, Manipulate tools, Heuristics, Inference, Hypothesis testing, Self-discipline, impulse-control, Ethical behavior, Selective awareness, Open to inspection, Emotions, Imagination, Creativity, Passion, Playfulness, Empathy, Leadership, Self-awareness, Awareness of mortality, Group psychology

 

 

 

Assignment:             Homework #2

Due Date:                 9/20/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

Attend one of the following:

 

1)       IEEE/NASA/WUNDERBOT talks Tuesday 9/14/04 from 6:00 to ~9:30 p.m. in old Myer dining hall  (Susquehanna room). You must give me your student id charge number to cover the dinner (or pay five dollars).

or

2)       IEEE computer society president talk in student center event space Friday, 9/17/04 from 9:30 to 11:00am.

or

3)       At least 1-1/2 hours of the “Information Technology Conference” in Nicarry on Saturday, 9/18/04 from 8:00am to 5:00pm

 

Then write a one page single-space summary of whichever you attended (to be handed-in in class at the beginning of the first class meeting of the following week. Also, as an added bonus, will not have class on Monday or Tuesday during the week of these events.

 

Note: I will definitely be at all of (1) and (2) above -- and possibly parts of (3).

 

Assignment:             Homework #3

Due Date:                 9/13/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

         Go to http://www.station1.net/DouglasJones/drake.htm

 

         Do the following:

 

1.        Read the rationale for all of the variables in the drake equation

 

2.        Calculate a value of N that you believe in

 

3.        Be ready to continue our discussion on this

         (including how you feel about the Drake Equation)

 

Assignment:             Homework #4

Due Date:                 9/25/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

1.        Propose a new version of the survival matrix given out in class. Then apply it to:

a.        A human

b.        A spider

c.        A PC

d.        Asimo” the HONDA corporation humanoid robot (research this)

 

Assignment:             Homework #5

Due Date:                 10/1/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

1.        Select one of the 6 human senses discussed in class. Then:

a.        Research the biology/physiology of this sense in humans

b.        Research artificial devices to enhance or substitute for this sense

 

Assignment:             Homework #6

Grading:                   (part of “assignments” grade)

Due Date:                 10/22/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

Calculus problems handed out in class

 

Assignment:             Homework #7

Due Date:                 10/22/04

Late Penalties:         Yes                         

Last Revised:            ------

 

Select one of the robots demonstrated in the video shown in class” 1996 IEEE Robotics and automation video proceedings”and find the corresponding paper in the written proceedings on reserve in the library. Then summarize an interesting detail that you discover, write about it (one page single space); then be prepared to tell the class what you found.

 

Or

 

Search the above proceedings for a paper that you consider is about adding AI into a robot and write about it (one page single space); then be prepared to tell the class what you found.

 

 

 

Assignment:             Homework #8

Due Date:                 11/1/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

Attend Dr. Wunderlich’s ENGR 100 lecture on Engineering Design in Gibble auditorium. Then meet a freshman and get to know them. Type a one page summary of your interaction with this student and include how you have helped them in any way (this can include long-term planning help – course selection, career planning, etc.)

 

 

 

Assignment:             Homework #9

Due Date:                 11/12/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

Attend the field trip to the JLG company in McConelsburg, PA (1-1/2 hour drive). Participate in Wunderbot II demonstration. Also, participate in automation (and potential AI applications) discussion after touring their factories.

Type a one page summary of your ideas for possible automation (and potential AI applications) for their facilities.

 

                               

Assignment:             Homework #10

Professor:                Dr. Wunderlich

Due Date:                 11/15/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

1) Run the NN matlab example “NN2.m” for XOR, AND, and OR, and find the largest learning rate possible for each. Plot results and hand-in results.

2) Form groups of two or three people. Run the Matlab Neural Network example “Appcr1” for character recognition. Create a report explaining exercise (including graphs, code, etc.)

See extra credit option on handout.

 

 

Assignment:             Homework #11

Professor:                Dr. Wunderlich

Due Date:                 12/3/04

Late Penalties:         Yes

Last Revised:            ------

 

                                Create a symbolic-AI And/Or graph for the Expert System: “Case study #1 Doctor’s Office” handed out in class

 

Friday, 12/3/04 is the last day to hand in any late homework assignments