Class Policies

Prerequisites

• CS 325 (Algorithms)
• Fluency in a programming language
• The ability to take simple derivatives

Learning Objectives

1. Analyze the dimensions along which agents and environments vary, along with key functions that must be implemented in a general agent.
2. Implement agents using search algorithms such as uninformed search, informed search or local search.
3. Develop strategies for agents in games of perfect and imperfect information.
4. Represent knowledge of the world using logic and infer new facts from that knowledge.
5. Use a Bayesian network to make quantitative (probabilistic) and qualitative inferences.
6. Implement a Bayesian network that solves a simple version of a problem such as text categorization or object recognition.

Grading and Exams

An approximate weighting of the marks in the course is listed below. This may change slightly depending on the number and size of the assignments.

• Programming Assignments (3 of them) - 30%
• Written Assignments (4 of them) - 20%
• Pre-class Reading Quizzes (10 of them; drop lowest 2) - 10%
• Midterm - 20%
• Final - 20%
• In-class Participation - extra credit up to 5% of the total points for the class

The midterm and exam are are open-book. Only print materials are permitted. Hand-held calculators are also allowed, but no laptops or phones. Do not rely too heavy on your notes during an exam! Use them as a safety net.

Policy on collaboration

In solo assignments, collaboration is limited to verbal discussion of general approaches and strategies for the assignment. You can give each other examples that are not in the assignment. If you collaborate in this way, you will be asked to declare your collaborators.

Things not allowed:

• No use of code, documentation, or other written media from sources other than yourself (e.g., classmates, internet, etc. ) unless explicitly allowed by the assignment.
• Do not tell each other the answers

For assignments done in teams, team members within the same team may explicitly discuss answers. However, the rules above apply between teams. For further details, please refer to the OSU Academic dishonesty policy and the CS Academic dishonesty policy.

Late Policy

Written assignments are due at the start of class. The late policy is as follows:

• 0-24 hours late: 90% of the final score
• 24-48 hours late: 50% of the final score
• After 48 hours late: 0%

Note: Reading quizzes are exempt from the late policy. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Canvas

I will use Canvas for the following purposes in this course:

1. Storing and distributing your grades. Let us know if there are any mistakes in your grades. Please check them after each assignment and exam.
2. Pre-class reading quizzes.
3. Discussion board. If you have questions about assignments or exams, the following options are available:
   • See the instructor or TA during their office hours.
   • Post to the discussion board. You will find that the discussion board has a much better response time than email because many more pairs of eyes will be monitoring it. You will get help from the instructor, the TA, and even other students.
   • If you're really stuck, email the TA or the instructor. If you send the instructor email, be warned that she receives well over a hundred email messages a day and she may not get to your email for a while.

Accommodations

Community Statement

Every student should feel safe and welcome to contribute in this course. As the instructor, I will try to establish this tone whenever possible, but ultimately the responsibility for cultivating a safe and welcoming community belongs to the students-that means you!

Fortunately, being part of a safe and welcoming community is not too hard. A good place to start is to recognize (and continually remind yourself) of the following facts:

• Your classmates come from a variety of cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds. Something that is obvious to you may not be obvious to them.
• Your classmates are human beings with intelligence and emotions. This applies even if you are interacting anonymously on Canvas.
• Your classmates are here to learn. They have the right to pursue their education without being distracted by others' disruptive behavior, or made uncomfortable by inappropriate jokes or unwanted sexual interest.

If each of us remembers these facts and act with corresponding decency, respect, and professionalism, the course will certainly be better for everyone.

Some students might be inclined to shrug this off and perhaps crack a joke about safe spaces or political correctness. If that's you, please also know that if you make a fellow student uncomfortable by mocking them, making inappropriate jokes, or making unwanted advances, that is harassment and will be taken seriously. (If you are a victim of harassment, please see the brief list of resources below.)

However, I hope that we can all approach this positively. Treat your classmates as respected colleagues, support each other when needed, have fun without spoiling it for anyone else, and everybody wins.

What to do about harassment

If you are the victim of harassment in this class, there are several resources available to you:

• You may schedule a private meeting to talk to me.
• You may contact the University Ombuds Office for confidential guidance and advice.
• You may contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access to file an informal or formal complaint.

You may also want to read OSU's policies on bullying and on sexual harassment and misconduct.

Policy on Children in Class

It is my belief that if we want women in academia, that we should also expect children to be present in some form. Currently, the university does not have a formal policy on children in the classroom. The policy described here is thus, a reflection of my own beliefs and commitments to student, staff and faculty parents.

• All exclusively breastfeeding babies are welcome in class as often as is necessary to support the breastfeeding relationship. Because not all women can pump sufficient milk, and not all babies will take a bottle reliably, I never want students to feel like they have to choose between feeding their baby and continuing their education. You and your nursing baby are welcome in class anytime.
• For older children and babies, I understand that minor illnesses and unforeseen disruptions in childcare often put parents in the position of having to chose between missing class to stay home with a child and leaving him or her with someone you or the child does not feel comfortable with. While this is not meant to be a long-term childcare solution, occasionally bringing a child to class in order to cover gaps in care is perfectly acceptable.
• I ask that all students work with me to create a welcoming environment that is respectful of all forms of diversity, including diversity in parenting status.
• In all cases where babies and children come to class, I ask that you sit close to the door so that if your little one needs special attention and is disrupting learning for other students, you may step outside until their need has been met. Non-parents in the class, please reserve seats near the door for your parenting classmates.
• Finally, I understand that often the largest barrier to completing your coursework once you become a parent is the tiredness many parents feel in the evening once children have finally gone to sleep. The struggles of balancing school, childcare and often another job are exhausting! I hope that you will feel comfortable disclosing your student-parent status to me. This is the first step in my being able to accommodate any special needs that arise. While I maintain the same high expectations for all student in my classes regardless of parenting status, I am happy to problem solve with you in a way that makes you feel supported as you strive for school-parenting balance. Thank you for the diversity you bring to our classroom!

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