Instructor: Dr. Larry Kerschberg
Meeting Time: Fall 2007, Tuesdays: 4:30 - 7:10 p.m., Robinson Hall, B220.
Course Objectives:
This course addresses the research and development issues needed to realize the vision of the Semantic Web via the use of Intelligent Agents. The World Wide Web, or simply the Web, is an example of an application of computing on a global scale, thereby creating a Distributed Information Space. In order to be able to categorize, access and process the knowledge contained on the Web, we will require intelligent agent to sift and winnow data and information into knowledge. We will study the role of agents in the Semantic Web framework.
Topics Covered:
The course will address the following topics:
- The Semantic Web and Web Knowledge
- Agency: Reactive and Deductive Agents
- Reasoning on the Web: Query Languages, Description Logics, and Rule Languages
- Agent Communication: Communication Techniques, Agent Ontologies, Dialogues, and Social Systems.
- Semantic Web Services
For those students who have taken INFS 770 - Knowledge Management for E-Business, this course is a natural follow-on course.
Grading Policy:
The grade will be determined by grades obtained in individual assignments, research paper review and report, a group research project, and class participation.
- Individual Assignments: 30%
- Individual Research Paper Review: 20%
- Group Research Project and Presentation: 25%
- Class Participation: 10%
- Final Exam: 15%
In the group projects, students form small teams to perform research on topics related to the course.
Textbook:
C. Walton, Agency and the Semantic Web, Oxford University Press, Inc., New York, ISBN 0-19-929248-5, 2007
A collection of papers will be selected from the ACM and IEEE Digital Libraries to complement the textbook.
Schedule of Lectures (subject to change)
| Class | Date | Topics | Readings |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
8/28/07 |
Course Introduction and the Semantic Web | Walton (W): Chapter 1. |
2 |
9/04/07 |
Web Knowledge | W: Chapter 2. |
3 |
9/11/07 |
Reactive Agents | W: Chapter 3. |
4 |
9/18/07 |
Practical Reasoning and Deductive Agents | W: Chapter 4. |
5 |
9/25/07 |
Practical Reasoning and Deductive Agents | W: Chapter 4. |
6 |
10/02/07 |
Reasoning on the Web | W: Chapter 5. |
7 |
10/09/07 |
Columbus Day |
No Class Meeting. |
8 |
10/16/07 |
Reasoning on the Web | W: Chapter 5. |
9 |
10/23/07 |
Reasoning on the Web | W: Chapter 5. |
10 |
10/30/07 |
Agent Communication | W: Chapter 6. |
11 |
11/06/07 |
Agent Communication | W: Chapter 6. |
12 |
11/13/07 |
Agent Communication | W: Chapter 6. |
13 |
11/20/07 |
Semantic Web Services | W. Chapter 7. |
14 |
11/27/07 |
Semantic Web Services | W. Chapter 7. |
15 |
12/04/07 |
Student Presentations | |
16 |
12/11/07 |
Final Exam |