Natural and artificial intelligence
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| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
Don’t expect a conventional computing course with this one! It deals with one of humanity’s oldest dreams: creating machines with powers and mental abilities similar to our own. You’ll examine work at the frontiers of research in computing, where ideas from biology are inspiring computer scientists to find new solutions to old problems – particularly in the quest to build truly intelligent computer systems. The course begins with a survey of traditional and modern approaches to artificial intelligence, bringing out the concepts that underlie them, and then explores the theory and applications of two classes of system inspired by biology: neural networks and evolutionary computation.
Course content
With the advent of the digital computer in the twentieth century, genuine man-made intelligence seemed possible for the first time, and artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a serious research discipline. In M366 you’ll be introduced to both conventional and novel ideas in AI, by contrasting traditional approaches with ideas that are now being pursued in the latest research– taking in aspects of biology and philosophy as well as computing and technology. The course has three broad objectives, spread over six blocks.
First, it introduces and contrasts traditional and modern (sometimes called ‘nouvelle’) approaches to AI. Traditional AI research attempts to reproduce in computers some of the characteristics that we think of as central to human intelligence: logical reasoning, language, problem solving and our ability to plan and predict. The conventional strategy is to start by examining introspectively the workings of our own minds, and then try to replicate these on a computer. The computational techniques that come out of this approach are discussed in detail, with examples, in Blocks 1 and 2. In contrast, nouvelle AI research looks beyond the human sphere, to evidence of intelligence in non-human animals. These include self-organised collective behaviour; the ability to recognise objects and respond appropriately; communication; navigation; construction skills; and learning. Block 3 uses examples from nature and from computer simulation to develop the four main principles out of which such purposeful, systematic behaviours can arise: interaction, emergence, adaptation and selection.
Second, using the four principles as a base, M366 discusses in detail two modern techniques in AI and computerised problem solving: artificial neural networks (ANNs) and evolutionary computation (EC). The biological inspiration of ANNs in animal nervous systems is described in outline in Block 4, along with analysis and examples of successful ANN systems and models. EC is introduced in its natural context of genetic adaptation and Darwinian evolution in Block 5. Techniques such as genetic algorithms and genetic programming – in which evolutionary processes are simulated to solve problems of optimisation, control and design – are explained and analysed in detail.
Finally, in Block 6, students are invited to reflect on the contrasting traditional and modern approaches, and to form their own opinions on the significance and the future of AI.
The formal presentation of the above material will be backed up by experimental work using a number of software tools.
The course contains images of insects, including moving swarms in the video material on the DVD.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills acquired from previous courses at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject. These related courses do not need to be drawn from other maths and computing courses; but to study M366 you should be a competent user of computer technology and have some programming skills. If you are studying a computing degree programme, the skills and understanding you gained from M150 and M255 (or M206) and other Level 2 courses will be helpful. However, if you are not following programmes that include Data, computing and information (M150) and Object-oriented programming with Java (M255), you will not be disadvantaged, as the course does not assume any previous knowledge specific to these courses. Although a background in mathematics is not required, you should feel comfortable with a certain amount of mathematical symbolism, including elementary algebraic and vector notation. In a few exercises, students are asked to work through simple problems. The course team have tried to keep the mathematical content to a minimum and all the notation used is explained in a separate glossary.
The following non-technical texts offer a useful insight into the themes of the course, although the M366 material is a great deal more detailed and technical.
Forbes, N. (2004) Imitation of Life: How Biology is Inspiring Computing, Cambridge MA, MIT Press (Paperback: ISBN 0262562154; Hardback: ISBN 0262062410).
Sipper, M. (2002) Machine Nature: The Coming of Bio-Inspired Computing, Cambridge MA, MIT Press (ISBN 0071387048).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
M366 is a compulsory course in our
M366 is an optional course in our
- BSc (Honours) Computing (B29)
- BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice (B33)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Statistics (B34)
- BSc (Honours) Information Technology and Computing (B13)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Mathematical Sciences (B14)
- BSc (Honours) Computing with Psychological Studies (B49)
- Diploma in Computing (D12)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
This course requires students to undertake a range of experimental activities including construction of computer simulations using third-party software tools; observation, recording and analysis of results; web research; and other practical activities, including some assignment questions. If you are unable to perform any of these activities without assistance, possibly due to a disability, it may still be possible for you to complete and pass the course. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and software materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request.
We will provide descriptions of visual course elements, such as video materials and mathematical notation, where possible. Nevertheless it is possible you might find it difficult to complete some activities. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books and other printed materials, DVD containing the course software and audio and video material, course website, and an online course forum.
You will need
You require internet access at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, submit assignments and keep up to date with course news.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you can use an Apple Mac or Linux computer if you can run Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day-schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions and 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT and Engineering and Technology.
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Student Reviews
This is an excellent course, really inspiring and ideal for anyone contemplating research in computer science and wishing to transcend ...
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I found this to be a really interesting course covering a wide range of fascinating and thought-provoking topics. However its ...
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Thanks for your comments. We're sorry about the multiple versions of the assessment materials. There were a few hiccups with ...
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