CS 6/76120 - Spring 2007
Evolutionary Computation
DESCRIPTION
This is a graduate level course on evolutionary computation (EC), also referred to as evolutionary algorithms (EAs). The course offers a broad introduction to EC, and focuses on a wide variety of application areas such modeling, optimization, and data classification. Students will have the opportunity to build and experiment with several different types of EAs through-out the semester and will present a final project on a topic chosen from a list to be provided by the instructor.
COURSE GOAL
To develop broad understanding of the issues involved in developing and analyzing evolutionary algorithms, and to develop a deeper understanding of at least one specific area of evolutionary computation through an individual research project.
OBJECTIVES
- To be able to formulate and assess problems in evolutionary computation.
- To be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of several approaches to evolutionary computation.
- To be able to assess and understand the key commonalities and differences in various evolutionary computation models.
- To be able to apply techniques in evolutionary computation to problems such as optimization, automatic programming, control systems, and biological modeling.
PREREQUISITES
- Solid programming skills
- General knowledge of Unix/Linux
TEXTBOOK
Evolutionary Computation for Modeling and Optimization, Daniel Ashlock, Springer, ISBN: 0-387-22196-4, 2006.
OTHER RECOMMENDED READING
- Evolutionary Computation: Toward a New Philosophy of Machine Intelligence, David Fogel, John Wiley & Sons- IEEE, ISBN: 0-471-66951-2, 2005
- Introduction to Evolutionary Computing, A. E. Eiben and J. E. Smith, Springer, ISBN: 3-540-40184-9, 2003.
- Evolutionary Computation, Kenneth De Jong, MIT Press, ISBN: 0-262-04194-4, 2003
- Evolutionary Algorithms in Theory and Practice, Thomas Back, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 0-195-09971-0, 1996.
A detailed tentative schedule of topics for each class meeting and assignments, project, and homework due dates will be posted on the course home page at http://classes.cs.kent.edu/CS66120/S07
CLASS WORK AND EVALUATION
In addition to the textbook, current research papers will be discussed at appropriate points through out the semester. There will be 5-6 homework assignments due, a final project , and one midterm exam. Assignments and the project will require programming, but documenting design, clear writing, critical thinking, and appropriate analysis will be predominant factor for grading. Homework assignments and project deliverables due dates will be posted on the class Web site. No late assignment will be accepted, you may however turn in unfinished assignments for partial credit.
PROJECT WORK
Final projects should be selected from the list provided by the instuctor. You have the option to present a proposal for a project of your own choosing but your proposal must be presented to the instructor for approval and must include a detailed description of the work to be undertaken along with a statement of personal motivation for the proposed work.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
I encourage, and will reward, individual efforts to become active learners. Efforts to participate in class will be awarded bonus points in the class, up to 5%. The efforts towards this goal, that I will monitor, are:
- Active and constructive participation in class and on the online discussion forum found on the course web site.
- Providing your results from experiments for class discussion.
- Submitting answers to online intermediate course evaluations.
- Preparing and submitting copies of lecture notes, in print and electronically, for whole class use.
- Downloading and checking the usability of code from the textbook authors wensite
GRADING
- Participation: 20%
- Homework Assignments: 30%
- Project Write-up: 30%
- Project Presentation: 20%
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
- The schedule and procedures for this course are subject to change. Changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website, it is the student's responsibility to learn and adjust to changes.
- The assignments, and exams need to be done individually. Copying of another student's work or code, even if changes are subsequently made, is inappropriate, and such work or code will not be accepted. Violation of the plagiarism and cheating policy is likely to result in failure for the assignment , exam and/or course. In addition, all cases will be reported to the student conduct officer. Please see Computer Science Policy on Academic Dishonesty
- Special accommodations are available for students with disabilities: In accordance with the University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities should verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391).