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     CSC 520 Artificial Intelligence I
 

Introduction and overview of artificial intelligence. Elements of AI problem-solving techniques. State spaces and search techniques, including heuristic search (hill-climbing and A*). Logic (first-order predicate calculus) and theorem proving (unification, resolution theorem proving). Advanced topics in machine learning, reasoning under uncertainty (Bayesian reasoning), and natural language processing as time permits. 3 credit hours

  
     

Prerequisite
  

Undergraduate degree in computer science with courses in data structures (CSC 316) AND applied discrete mathematics (CSC 224) or background in symbolic logic. Note: CSC 224 and 316 are offered as a part of the Computer Programming Certificate and can be taken online to fulfill this prerequisite.

 
Course Objectives  

CSC520 is the foundational artificial intelligence course. It is intended to prepare students for advanced courses in AI. At the end of this class, the student will be able to: (1) Explain the fundamental algorithms and data structures of core AI problem-solving techniques, with an emphasis on search and theorem proving; (2) Identify the AI problem-solving technique that is relevant for a given problem; (3) Apply AI problem-solving techniques to new problems.

 
Course Requirements  

HOMEWORK: Programming Assignments (2-3)

EXAMINATIONS: Midterm and Final Exam

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: N/A

PROJECTS

 
Textbook  

Stuart Russell & Peter Norvig, Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 2nd Edition , Prentice Hall, 2003.


Computer and Internet Requirements  

NCSU has recommended minimum specifications for computers that are generally used for courses. Those specifications can be found here: http://www.ncsu.edu/it/compspecs/

Engineering Online recommends that your computer meets or exceeds the following minimum specifications below. A computer with greater capability (processor speed, RAM, internet bandwidth, disk capacity) will be more likely to properly display the video content of Engineering Online courses.

Windows:

  • Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2003, or Windows Vista
  • Intel-compatible 1 GHz processor
  • 512 MB RAM
  • 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available
  • Video display at 1024 x 768 or greater
  • Sound output and speakers
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 or later, Firefox 2.0 or later, or Google Chrome 1.0
  • Windows Media Player 9.0 or later
  • Real One Player Basic (required for certain courses)
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Broadband Internet connection (256 Kbps or more)

Mac OS X:

  • Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later
  • G4 processor
  • 512 MB RAM
  • 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available
  • Video display at 1024 x 768 or greater
  • Sound output and speakers
  • Safari 2.0.4 (or later) or Firefox 2.0 (or later)
  • Silverlight  (viewers may be prompted to install this when first viewing a presentation)
  • Real One Player Basic (required for certain courses)
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Broadband Internet connection (256 Kbps or more)
  • NOTE:  The Flip4Mac plug-in causes problems when viewing Mediasite presentations and should be disabled.

Linux:

  • Playback of Mediasite presentations on Linux is accomplished via the Moonlight Project, an open source implementation of Microsoft Silverlight. For more installation on the installation and configuration of Moonlight, please visit http://www.go-mono.com/moonlight/. The compatible operating systems and browsers are listed on this page.
  • Microsoft Media Pack for Moonlight
  • Adobe Reader for Unix
  • Broadband Internet connection (256 Kbps or more)

 
Instructor  

Dr. James C. Lester, Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 8206
Raleigh , NC 27695-8206

Phone: (919) 515-7534
Fax: (919) 515-7896
Email: lester@csc.ncsu.edu
Instructor Website: http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/faculty/lester/