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Syllabus for SSE 635

Advanced Computational Techniques

Early version; changes are possible.

Spring Semester 2009 (09S)

revised February 4, 2009 9:09 AM Eastern Time

 

    

 

Instructor: Dr. Paul E. MacNeil

Office:       Suite 223a, School of Engineering

Phone:       478-301-2185

                  478-301-2185

Email:        macneil_pe@mercer.edu

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Textbooks and Supplies:

Texts (including web sites):

Texts:

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Software (including web sites):

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Other Useful Resources (including web sites):

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Catalog Description (Course Purpose):

Special Topics

Topics covered may include genetic algorithms, artificial intelligence, and/or artificial neural networks.

This offering of this course will cover applications of: evolutionary programming including genetic algorithms, artificial neural networks, and fuzzy logic.

Note that, even though the text book applies these techniques to computer games, this is not a computer games course. We will be using the text for what it tells us about these techniques, not about games.

Please note that this course is conducted *asynchronously* with regard to the face-to-face class meeting schedule. That is, the course begins on January 13, 2009, for *all* students, regardless of whether they are registered in the Macon or Distance Learning section.

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Course Objectives:

Breadth and Depth in Defining, Analyzing, and Solving Complex Problems:

Communicate Technical Aspects of the Solution for Complex Software Engineering Problems to a Technical Audience:

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Prerequisites:

SSE 550 Object-Oriented Development I or SSE 556 Java Design I or SSE 553 Accelerated C++ Design or SSE 693 C# and .Net Development or permission of the professor.

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Class Location:

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Grading:

Item
Percent of Term Grade
Project 1 (solo)
20
Project 2 (solo)
20
Project 3 (solo)
20
Project 4 (team)
30
Listserv contributions
10

More information about grading is contained in the recently-updated General Project Rubric.

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Assignments:

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Additional Information:

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  • What Do I Do?

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    Changes to this Syllabus:

    There will be changes to this syllabus, so check back frequently, and don't forget to hit "Reload" or "Refresh".

     

    Schedule of Events and Assignments:

    Start Date
    End Date
    Activity/Event
    January 13, 2009 May 01 , 2009 Course in Progress
    January 13, 2009 January 20, 2009

    Read Bourg and Seeman: Preface, ch. 1 "Introduction to Game AI", and ch. 15 "Genetic Algorithms". (Note that we are using this text for its information about the techniques we are studying, not for information about game programming.) Also read the corresponding (i.e., genetic algorithm) material in Jones.

    Read some of the other GA references under "Texts" above.

    Work on the Naive Genetic Algorithm; see http://www.paulemacneil.com/NaiveGA.htm . Note that this is _not_ Project 1.

    January 21, 2009 February 04 , 2009 Work on Project 1.
      February 04 , 2009 Project 1 due.
      February 25, 2009 Project 2 due.
      March 25, 2009 Project 3 due.
      May 01 , 2009

    Project 4 due.

      May 01 , 2009 Course ends.

     

    Notes:

    tbd

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    Schedule of Macon Face-to-face Meetings:

    attendance is 100% optional.

    Date
    January 14, 2009
    January 21, 2009
    January 28, 2009
    February 04, 2009
    February 11, 2009
    February 18, 2009
    February 25, 2009
    March 04, 2009
    No Meeting - Spring Break March 11, 2009
    March 18, 2009
    March 25, 2009
    April 01, 2009
    April 08, 2009
    April 15, 2009
    April 22, 2009
    April 29, 2009

    attendance is 100% optional.

    All Macon face-to-face meetings are from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesdays in MUSE 216b.

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    Important Additional Information:

    Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible.  If you are not registered with Disability Services, the instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504.  In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Services.  Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator on the 3rd floor of the Connell Student Center.  Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester.  For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the website at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm

    Accreditation: Mercer University is accredited by SACS.

    revised February 4, 2009 9:09 AM Eastern Time