About the Course/Instructor

CSC 211 - Computer Organization and Architecture - Weinman

1  About the Course

Q
I m not sure I follow math in the second point in the deadlines section. Are any of the grade points mentioned in that section referencing our GPA?
A
No. These refer to the percentage allocated to assignments and the late penalty, though these grades are measured on the same scale as your GPA, so the units are the same.
Q
What happens if we are making a transcript of the program, run into an error, then fix that error? Do we need to create a new transcript, since we have a new program, and if we do, do we include both transcripts? If we include both transcripts, how do we differentiate between the transcripts produced by different versions of the code?
A
You need only submit the one transcript reflecting the program actually submitted.
Q
Can we discuss the readings with peers before we write in our reading journal? What about after we submit the journal, but before it is returned to us?
A
Yes and yes. I strongly encourage it!
Q
I am confused as to when we should be submitting work as a PDF and when we should be submitting the raw source file along with the transcript. The example command for creating a tar archive on the website shows a source.c file. Should all source code be submitted as a PDF, even inside the tar?
A
Yes, in general you will submit both the raw source file AND a PDF version (suitable for me to print).
Q
The question I have is not necessarily concerned with the course, but rather with the field of AI as a whole. If I were to want to make a career in AI, how much biology/psychology would I have to take in the undergraduate level?
A
While it may help broaden your horizons, I would say a minimal amount would be fine. (Though cognitive psychology would be a boon, it's not more valuable than a solid statistical and algorithmic background.)
Q
Will there be any refreshers on scheme or C?
A
Just the first lab. See the syllabus for optional Scheme references/readings.
Q
I see that the Laboratory Exercises page details a way to produce pdf listings of programs and their output. If I know an alternative formatting technique, such as using LATEX, may I use it instead?
A
Maybe. Bring me an example first. I want something that 1) color codes, and 2) conserves paper. enscript should be all you need.
Q
Also, do you knowany research being done in the intersection of artificial intelligence and economics? A number of problems that I have stumbled on in economics have a flavor similar to AI, with utility maximization and all of those Bellman equations. I d be interested to know if there s any work going on in that intersection.
A
Yes, tons. Here's an example of competitions using AI to enhance economic efficiencies, though it's not perhaps directly what you had in mind.
Q
How cool are the projects in this class going to be?
A
I hope cool. (#4 is usually the favorite).
Q
Could you please add a link back to the course s home page from the children pages, e.g. syllabus and schedule?
A
I could, but it's unlikely. With apologies, I recommend using the browser back button.
Q
Have you considered incorporating Scribbler2 robots into this course?
A
Yes, now that I've actually taught 161 it's an enticing idea. Unfortunately, with 211 also on my plate this semester I didn't have time for this go-around.
Q
I m wondering how theoretical the class discussions are going to be. That is, will we be talking more about the underlying concepts of what we re reading, or will it be more grounded in applied/real code (like 151 or 161).
A
A mix, but more the former and exploring/understanding the behavior of algorithms.
Q
I m wondering what you think the ballpark difficulty or level of work is for this class compared to your Operating System s class. I m not that worried about the difficulty, I m just wondering what to expect so I can plan for it.
A
I'm constantly tweaking and trying to pare things to the essentials, so it's hard for me to say. I welcome your feedback throughout. As for difficulty, I don't think the concepts are as tricky (concurrency can be challenging).
Q
Please let me know if this is wrong, but I can discuss the same things I would discuss on Piazza in person with classmates?
A
Yes. Of course, the benefit of Piazza is that information gets shared more broadly.
Q
On the syllabus, in section 7 (Grading) you have a table of grade points and grades. I m curious about the Average at least section. Does that mean if we get an A, we might only get a 3.75 for the class?
A
No, it's the reverse. If you get at least a 3.75, you will receive an A (I can give only discrete marks.) The college translates this to a 4.00.
Q
Additionally, you say the brackets may be adjusted downward...can we get lower than a 3.75 for an A (3.5 for an A-, etc.).
A
That is correct. Assessment can be an inexact science and I try to provide for that by not being excessively rigid in these categories.
Q
Also, is there a way to earn extra credit in this class?
A
Yes, some lab exercises may have extra credit components that will allow the score on those assessments to rise above 4.00.

2  About Me

Q
Which subfields of AI do you believe are going to be successful in the future? Also what are your thoughts on the usefulness of web/html scraping?
A
I'm probably biased, but I think the traditionally "scruffy" fields of vision and speech recognition are going to have the greatest impact, especially once they get some guiding theory.
What are we scraping for?
Q
I want to know more about what your dissertation research algorithm looks like as a high level AI research, although very likely I am not able to understand it.
A
You're welcome to take a look at it, or else just the short, web-friendly version.
Q
Are you planning any AI research within the next few years?
A
Yes, I just won an NSF award to recognize the text on digitized historical maps using geospatial constraints.
Q
Why do you work in artificial intelligence? Why do you think this field is special?
A
Who said anything about special? I like looking at pictures. :-) Ok, but seriously, I do love the visual and enabling computers to solve visual reasoning problems.
Q
Do you think you are rational? What is your definition of rationality? Do you distinguish between rationality of believe and rationality of action?
A
In an economists, sense, no, as Taversky and Kahneman have shown in so many ways. To paraphrase James, belief without action is useless.
Q
What are your kids names?
A
Gus and "baby" (expected mid-December).
Q
How slightly cute/sarcastic can I be without annoying you or making you feel uncomfortable or disrespected?
A
Hm. I do have a sense of humor. Keep it clean and don't go overboard.
Q
Nick Bostrom and Vincent MÃ ller did a survey of AI experts asking them, assuming human scientific activity continues without major negative distruption, by what year do they see a 10% / 50% / 90% probability for human level machine intelligence. The median answer for 10% was 2022, for 50% it was 2040, and 90% was 2075. What would you answer to this question, and what do you think of the answers given by other AI experts? Full paper is here: http://www.nickbostrom.com/papers/survey.pdf
A
Those medians sound pretty reasonable to me.