This course is an introduction to artificial intelligence. The course will cover the history, theory, and computational methods of artificial intelligence. Basic concepts will examine agents in the context of computational intelligence.  The course will also explore representations of knowledge, search as a problem-solving technique, reasoning with both certainty and uncertainty, and the resulting role of probability when reasoning in uncertainty.  The course will also address planning concepts and the role of multi-agent systems.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Define artificial intelligence and its characteristics.
2. Describe both the Turing Test and the Chinese Room as tests of intelligence.
3. Define the structure, types, characteristics, and behaviors of agents.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with search algorithms as a problem-solving strategy.
5. Uninformed search
6. Informed search or Heuristics
7. A* search
8. Min-max algorithm
9. Demonstrate familiarity with constraint satisfaction problems (CSP).
10. Demonstrate familiarity with Knowledge representation and reasoning concepts including propositional and predicate logic.
11. Explain the role and application of probability in reasoning.
12. Define approaches to planning both with certainty and uncertainty.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

Week 1: Unit 1 – Fundamentals of AI

Week 2: Unit 2 – Agents

Week 3: Unit 3 – Problem Solving Through Search

Week 4: Unit 4 – Features and Constraints

Week 5: Unit 5 – Knowledge Representation and Reasoning

Week 6: Unit 6 -Reasoning Under Uncertainty

Week 7: Unit 7 -Planning

Week 8: Unit 8 -Multi-Agent Systems

Week 9: Unit 9 -Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Fundamentals of AI

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Agents

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Programming Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Problem Solving Through Search

• Peer assess Unit 2 Programming Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Features and Constraints

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Programming Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Knowledge Representation and Reasoning

• Peer assess Unit 4 Programming Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Programming Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Reasoning Under Uncertainty

• Peer assess Unit 5 Programming Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 7: Planning

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Programming Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Multi-Agent Systems

• Peer assess Unit 7 Programming Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take the Review Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor