University of Technology Sydney

42172 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Computer Science
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04379 Master of Business Analytics (Extension)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 41040 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Description

This subject introduces students to the basic concepts and ideas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms and provides opportunities for students to get hands-on experience in applying some of the AI techniques to solve small to medium size problems. The AI techniques cover six key areas: learning, natural language processing, computer vision, searching, knowledge representation, and inference and reasoning. Through a series of lectures, hands-on laboratory experiments, students are exposed to a wide range of AI techniques and develop good understanding of these techniques, and skills to apply these techniques using existing packages and libraries. Students are assessed through a knowledge test, a set of mini AI application examples that apply selected AI techniques to solve simple problems and a group project in which project group designs a working solution to an interesting real-world problem. Upon completion of this subject, students are able to exemplify AI applications and demonstrate their understanding of AI techniques and skills of applying some of these techniques in real world applications.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Describe key ideas and applications of common AI techniques to people in the same discipline. (D.1)
2. Apply common AI algorithms to solve simple real-world problems. (D.1)
3. Design and justify AI solutions for medium to large problems. (C.1)
4. Collaborate effectively on a project team. (E.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
  • Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject will be delivered through a series of lectures and laboratory/ tutorials. In each week, students will attend a lecture class (1.5 hours) and a lab or a tutorial class (1.5 hours). Lecture classes will unpack the weekly topics. Students are expected to have adequate off class preparation so that they can make best use of lecture classes to build sound AI knowledge base; The lab classes include demonstration of the weekly AI techniques and exercise of using the AI techniques. The lab classes provide opportunities for students to make sense of the conceptual knowledge and gain hands-on experience of applying these AI techniques. The tutorial classes include explanation of concepts with examples and exercises for students to gain better understanding of the techniques for knowledge presentation, and knowledge-based reasoning and inference.

Content (topics)

  1. Overview of AI
  2. Machine learning
  3. Natural language processing
  4. Computer vision
  5. Searching
  6. Knowledge representation and inference/reasoning

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Mini AI application examples

Intent:

Assess students’ ability to apply selected AI techniques to solve simple problems.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

2

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 45%
Length:

The length of each report is between 8 -10 standard A4 pages (standard setting including margins, font size and line spacing). The working program is a link to the colab notebook.

Assessment task 2: Group project plan and design

Intent:

This assignment equips students with AI thinking and critical analysis of various phases in undertaking AI projects, including defining problem statement, assessing, selecting, and developing methodologies, architectures, processes and workflow, and evaluation criteria. The task trains students to search and integrate domain-specific knowledge, problems, data and resources with AI methods and processes to design desirable solutions. The proposal integrates cross-disciplinary thinking, knowledge, and skills for data-driven evidence-based design to solve an interesting practical problem. Through this task, students will also develop skills of critical thinking and analysis of appropriate state-of-the-art AI technologies to address challenging real-world problems.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

C.1 and E.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 35%
Length:

The maximum length of the group project proposal is 15 pages. The minimum length of the individual reflection report is 5 pages.

Assessment task 3: Exam

Intent:

Assess students’ understanding of the key concepts underlying AI techniques and typical AI algorithms.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

100 minutes

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Required texts

Stuart J. Russell and Peter Norvig, Artificial Intelligence -- A Modern Approach, 4th Edition, Pearson, 2021.

Textbook website: aima.cs.berkeley.edu