SYLLABUS                                                                                               August 31, 2004

Instructor:      Jeffrey Horn,  email:     jhorn@nmu.edu
                        office:   New Science Building 1119
                        phone:  227-1607

Office Hours:    Thursdays 1:00-3:00pm and Fridays 12:00-3:00pm, and 5:00-6:00pm are OPEN OFFICE HOURS, no appt. necessary
                            I also have hours available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (email me!  and wait for my response!):  

 Textbook (required):  Evolutionary Robotics,   by Nolfi and Floreano

Classroom:   New Science Building, Room 1209
Meeting Times:  4:00 - 5:40 pm    Tu,Th
Prerequisites:   CS 201 or equivalent (three semesters of programming experience, including one semester of C++)  or permission of instructor.
Our web page:   http://cs.nmu.edu/~jeffhorn/Classes/EvoRobots/

 (I will use the web page EXTENSIVELY, posting everything I can up there as soon as possible.  This includes all electronic forms of handouts, assignments, solutions, sample tests, etc.  Also I will post announcements, links to interesting, topic-related sites, etc.  So please check our page regularly!  At the very least, twice a week.  We will also have a WebCT page for posting grades, etc.)

TOPICS:  (tentative)

OVERVIEW

• Genetic Algorithms
• Robots
• Simulation
• Artificial Life

GRADING:
50% Written Homeworks and Programs
20% Quizes
10% Exams in-class and take-home
10% Final exam, comprehensive.
10% Instructor's discretion

Late Policy:  For programs and homeworks, 5% off for each day late (counting only days that the university is open; e.g., not weekends or snowdays).   But of course I cannot accept them after solutions are handed out!  As for exams, those cannot be made up except under the most severe and extenuating emergencies!  Don't take a chance if you don't have to!  (If we have "enough" assignments and/or quizes, I will drop the lowest grade in that category.)

COMPUTING FACILITIES:      

Your NMU ThinkPad (or iBook) and the NERL (Northern Evolutionary Robotics Lab!).

NOTE:  If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Disability Services Office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock (227-1700; TTY 227-1543).  Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state and University guidelines.