Students
COMP8410 – Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor, Lecturer
Rolf Schwitter
4RPD, 359
by appointment
Lecturer
Mehmet Orgun
4RPD, 282
by appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
COMP6400
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The fast moving field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to push the frontiers what machines can achieve. This unit surveys emerging topics and trends in AI. These topics drawn from the latest research literature vary from offering to offering, their selection being inspired by cutting-edge development in the field. These topics include but are not limited to: decision making under uncertainty, reasoning, planning, machine learning, natural language understanding and the legal and ethical implications of AI-driven technologies. The unit consists of lectures, reading, and assessed components of scientific writing in various forms. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate an understanding of emerging concepts, techniques, and algorithms in AI.
- ULO2: Critically navigate and examine the scientific literature within the field of AI.
- ULO3: Identify strengths and limitations of recent AI-driven technologies and judge their readiness for industry.
- ULO4: Explain the legal and ethical implications that AI has on organizations and on the future of work
- ULO5: Communicate and present scientific research clearly and effectively to others.
General Assessment Information
Requirement to Pass this Unit
To pass this unit, you must achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%. Note that we offer 12 portfolio tasks during the semester but only count the 10 best submissions, each worth 4 marks.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.
For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration.
Assignments where Late Submissions will be accepted/not accepted:
- Assignment #1 (12 Portfolio Tasks): No, unless Special Consideration is granted.
- Assignment #2: Yes, Standard Late Penalty applies.
- Assignment #3: Yes, Standard Late Penalty applies.
Special Consideration
The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | 40% | No | Week 2-13: each Monday 23:55 |
| Assignment 2 | 30% | No | Week 7: Friday 23:55 |
| Assignment 3 | 30% | No | Week 12: Friday 23:55 |
Assignment 1
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 2-13: each Monday 23:55
Weighting: 40%
A collection of evidence of skills development in form of reports and short videos.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of emerging concepts, techniques, and algorithms in AI.
- Critically navigate and examine the scientific literature within the field of AI.
- Identify strengths and limitations of recent AI-driven technologies and judge their readiness for industry.
- Explain the legal and ethical implications that AI has on organizations and on the future of work
- Communicate and present scientific research clearly and effectively to others.
Assignment 2
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 7: Friday 23:55
Weighting: 30%
Review of the literature relevant to one or more of the topics presented in the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of emerging concepts, techniques, and algorithms in AI.
- Critically navigate and examine the scientific literature within the field of AI.
- Communicate and present scientific research clearly and effectively to others.
Assignment 3
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 12: Friday 23:55
Weighting: 30%
Students will conduct a case study of an AI application in an industry context; investigate a scenario, determine what problems exist, and develop the best possible strategy to achieve the desired outcome.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of emerging concepts, techniques, and algorithms in AI.
- Identify strengths and limitations of recent AI-driven technologies and judge their readiness for industry.
- Communicate and present scientific research clearly and effectively to others.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Classes
Each week has two hours of lectures. For details of days, times and rooms consult the timetables webpage. There is no workshop/practical class for this unit.
Required and Recommended Texts
All required and recommended readings will be provided as part of the lecture material.
Unit Web Page
The unit web page will be hosted in iLearn. You will need to log in to iLearn using your Student One ID and password. The unit will make extensive use of discussion boards also hosted in iLearn. Please post questions there, they will be monitored by the staff on the unit.
Methods of Communication
We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements in iLearn. Questions to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the unit convenor from your university email address.
COVID Information
For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during the semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.
Unit Schedule
| Week | Topic | Reading |
|
1 |
+ Towards Statistical Relational Artificial Intelligence + Imperative versus Declarative Programming |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 2 |
+ Answer Set Programming + Optimisation in Answer Set Programming |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 3 |
+ Commensense Knowledge and Reasoning + Diagnosis and Explanations |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 4 |
+ Probabilistic Logic Programs (PLPs) + Inference Tasks for PLPs |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 5 |
+ Parameter Learning of PLPs + Structure Learning of PLPs |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 6 |
+ PLPs for Natural Language Understanding + Neural Probabilistic Logic Programming |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 7 |
+ Introduction to Model Checking + Abstract Models and Specifications of Systems |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 8 |
+ Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) + LTL Equivalences |
Lecturer Supplied |
|
RECESS |
||
| 9 |
+ The NuSMV Model Checker + Practical Model Checking Examples |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 10 |
+ Computation Tree Logic (CTL) + Model Checking CTL formulas |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 11 |
+ Model Checking LTL formulas + From LTL formulas to automata |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 12 |
+ Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) + Operations on BDDs |
Lecturer Supplied |
| 13 |
+ Review: First Half of the Unit + Review: Second Half of the Unit |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
Semester 2, 2024 will be the first offering of this unit.
Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook