E104 - Brains & Minds, Robots & Computers

Fall Semester 2009

Syllabus

Short description: E104 - 9838 Brains & Minds, Robots & Computers

An overview of some of the main thrusts in cognitive science and robotics. This includes general questions about intelligence and artificial intelligence, as well as the mechanistic view of cognition. The course also touches on areas such as language and speech, concepts and categorization, logic and reasoning, rationality and irrationality, affect and emotion, while introducing computational formalisms such as Turing machines, neural networks, or cellular automata to illustrate possible principles and mechanisms of cognition. Hands-on experience in the laboratory section will allow students to get acquainted with computer simulations of artificial agents. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to create simple behaviors in robots. For details, see the timetable.

Official course information:
(from http://registrar.indiana.edu/scheduleoclasses/prl/soc4098fac.html as of 09/01/09):

	COLL-E 104  TOPICS:  SOCIAL & HIST STUDIES (3 CR)
           VT: BRAINS&MINDS, ROBOTS&COMPUTERS
         CLSD  9838          02:30P-03:45P   MW     WH 004    Scheutz M                     60    0    3
                 E 104 : Credit given for only one of COLL-E 104, COLL-S 104,
                 GLLC-S 104 or LAMP-S 104
                 Laboratory (LAB)
           VT: BRAINS&MINDS, ROBOTS&COMPUTERS
         CLSD  9839 RSTR     09:05A-09:55A   F      HP 155                                  20    0    0
                 A portion of this class reserved for University Division
                 Orientation Program students
           VT: BRAINS&MINDS, ROBOTS&COMPUTERS
         CLSD  9840 RSTR     10:10A-11:00A   F      HP 155                                  20    0    2
                 A portion of this class reserved for University Division
                 Orientation Program students
           VT: BRAINS&MINDS, ROBOTS&COMPUTERS
         CLSD  9841 RSTR     11:15A-12:05P   F      HP 155                                  20    0    1
                 A portion of this class reserved for University Division
                 Orientation Program students

Required Textbook:

Valentino Braitenberg (1984). Vehicles: Experiments in Synthetic Psychology. MIT Press, 152 pages.

In addition, other readings will be made available online.

Instructor:

Professor Matthias Scheutz

Office: 814 Eigenmann Hall, 1910 E 10th St.
Office Hours: by appointment only
Phone: (812) 856-1178
Email: mscheutz[AT]indiana[DOT]edu

Associate Instructor (for the lab section):

Robert Bowers

Room: 809 Eigenmann Hall, 1910 E 10th St.
Office Hours: W 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and by appointment
Email: ribowers[AT]indiana[DOT]edu

Course Goals: The main goal of this course is to provide a high-level overview of some of the important current themes in cognitive science, with focus on the relation between humans and robots. Students will be exposed to a variety of questions about the nature of mind and mental processes, including different kinds of human cognitive functions and traits, how these might be related to the brain, how they could be simulated on computers, and implemented on robots. The course will challenge students' preconceived notions of what human minds are and attempt to outline a research program in situated embodied cognition that views the mind as an evolved control system whose purpose it is to control a body situated in the world.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites.

Topics:

Cognitive science, artificial intelligence, robotics, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics and many others

Computer/Equipment Usage:

Lab work and homework assignments will require some computer usage.

Course Materials

All course materials will be maintained in the oncourse web space, see

https://oncourse.iu.edu/portal

All information about locations of materials (e.g., URLs) that are given in this document are accurate to the best of my present knowledge and should reflect the recent changes. Updates, corrections, and clarifications will be given as necessary.

Laboratory Usage:

One mandatory lab section.

Grading:

The course will be graded based on three components: (1) performance on lab and homework assignments, (2) participation and discussions (in the lecture and the lab), and (3) performance on the mid-term and comprehensive in-class final exam. The following grade-breakdown will be used:

5% - Class and lab participation
5% - Midterm (in class, possibly online in oncourse)
25% - Final exam (in class, possibly online in oncourse)
65% - Lab, individual and group assignments

A grade of 92% or above is guaranteed an A, 82% or above a B, 72% or above a C, 62% or above a D, everything below 62% will be an F (a grade of 98% or higher is guaranteed an A+). There will be no grading on curves (if the outcome of a graded assignment is too hard, then we will automatically raise all scores).

Make-up exams will be given only in documented extraordinary circumstances.

Assignments and Late Policy:

There will be regular lab assignments (mostly in groups), some individual home work assignments, and group assignments (e.g., for the robotics components). There will also be assignments for class discussions where students will assume different positions and argue for them. Unless explicitly stated, all assignments are to be completed individually. Exceptions will be lab group projects where teams of four to five students will be formed to work together in cooperative learning situations. In those circumstances, sharing of information is explicitly permitted and highly encouraged. Late assignments are in general not accepted, hence will not earn any credit (except in extraordinary formally documented circumstances).

Class Attendance and Participation:

This course depends heavily on class participation, hence attendance is always required and unexcused absences will automatically lower the class attendance and participation grade. There are many ways to participate in this class, from asking questions, to sharing thoughts in class or during the lab section. Everybody is encouraged to participate actively and contribute to the course. Students who actively participate are not only going to get more out of the course, but they are also more likely to become known to the instructor (which might count in their favor in case they are in between grades).

In general, lectures will discuss, clarify, and complement assigned readings, while labs will provide opportunities for hands-on experience (e.g., discuss questions, perform experiments, program robots, etc.). If you should miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes from your peers.

This course follows the IU policy (see this page) on religious observances. You are not required to prove attendance at religious services or events to obtain an accommodation for religious observance, but you are requested to provide indication of such any accommodation requests in accordance with the stated University policy early in the semester (see this page).

Cell Phone Usage: cell phones, PDAs, or other electronic devices with phones are not allowed during class and lab sessions. This includes text messaging, email checking, online chatting, or any other activity that can be performed on such devices. Failure to refrain from using any phone device during class or lab hours will result in a one-percent deduction for each occurrence from your participation grade.

Incompletes:

Per IU policy, incompletes will be granted under only the most exceptional of circumstances (out of your control) and only in cases where most of the course work has already been completed. Examples of exceptional circumstances include a death in the family or major illness that keeps you out of the classroom for a significant period of time. Getting behind in the class due to other obligations outside the classroom (other classes, job) doesn't warrant granting an incomplete under IU policy.

Comprehensive Final:

There will be a comprehensive final at the end of the course. The final exam will be closed-book and draw from all lecture materials (it is likely that the exam will be held online instead given the condition of the lecture room).

Academic Honesty:

This course is conducted under the University's Ethics Code (please review IU Code of Ethics, Part II for details. if in doubt). Specifically, it is considered cheating if you obtain any kind of information about answers and solutions to any of the assignments in this course from any non-intended source (including your peers) or conversely transfer such information to others. When in doubt, ask the instructor. Nobody begins the semester with the intention of cheating. Students who cheat do so because they fall behind gradually, and then panic at the last minute. Some students get into this situation because they are afraid of an unpleasant conversation with an instructor if they admit to not understanding something. I would much rather deal with your misunderstanding early than deal with its consequences later. Please, feel free to ask for help as soon as you need it.

Statement for Students with Disabilities:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact IU Disability Services for Students.

This page is maintained by:
Matthias Scheutz
Copyright 2009, The Trustees of Indiana University
Last revised on August 24, 2009.