CSCE 421/821

Foundations of Constraint Processing

Course Syllabus

1. General Information

Prereq: CSCE310, Data structures and algorithms or Instructor Permission.

Course description: Constraint satisfaction has emerged as a powerful approach to articulate and solve many problems in computer science, engineering, and management.  It is now the basis for new programming languages and innovative commercial systems for production scheduling, product configuration, personnel planning and timetabling, etc.  The goal of this course is to prepare students to conduct research in this area. The course will be intensive and will require thorough study of the theory and the algorithms, and a significant implementation effort. Students are expected to be self motivated, and demonstrate intellectual independence and collegial collaboration.

Lectures: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:20 p.m.
Location: Avery Hall 109.

Make-up Class/Recitation: Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Location: Avery Hall 109.

Instructor:   Prof.  Berthe Y. Choueiry
      Office location: Room 259, Avery Hall,
      Office hours: Mondays and Fridays 4:30--5:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Textbook:
"Constraint Processing" by Rina Dechter, 1st edition. The textbook will not be followed sequestially, but should be used for reference.

Topics include but are not restricted to:

Support:

2. Communications

3. Protocol of the Course

The course syllabus is our `contract' and we will abide by it.

The course consists of lectures by the instructor, three times per week.

Workload

Attendance

Alerts

No Class Recording

Any work and/or communication that you are privy to as a member of this course should be treated as the intellectual property of the speaker/creator. It is not to be shared outside the context of this course. Students may not make or distribute screen captures, audio/video recordings of, or livestream, any class-related activity, including lectures and presentations, without express prior written consent from me or an approved accommodation from Services for Students with Disabilities. If you have, or think you may have, a disability such that you need to record or tape class-related activities, you should contact Services for Students with Disabilities. If you have an accommodation to record class-related activities, those recordings may not be shared with any other student, whether in this course or not, or with any other person or on any other platform. Failure to follow this policy on recording or distributing class-related activities may subject you to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct.

4. Grading Policy

Grade Distribution

Grade Conversion

Reminder from the College of Arts & Sciences: a C (2.0) is the minimum passing grade in a PASS/NO PASS course (NOT a C-) as well as the lowest grade one can receive and still count the class toward a major.

5. How to Secure a Good Final Grade

61. Department and University Policies

The Student Resource Center is located in Avery 13A. It is a valuable place to go for general CSE related issues.

It is CSE Department policy that all students in CSE courses are expected to regularly check their email so they do not miss important announcements.

All homework assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. must be your own work. No direct collaboration with fellow students, past or current, is allowed unless otherwise stated. The Computer Science & Engineering department has an Academic Integrity Policy. All students enrolled in any computer science course are bound by this policy. You are expected to read, understand, and follow this policy. Violations will be dealt with on a case by case basis and may result in a failing assignment or a failing grade for the course itself.

The CSE Department has an anonymous suggestion box that you may use to voice your concerns about any problems in the course or department if you do not wish to be identified.

Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the instructor or teaching assistant for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to provide flexible and individualized accommodations to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office, 132 Canfield Administration, 472-3787 voice or TTY.

UNL offers a variety of options to students to aid them in dealing with stress and adversity. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a multidisciplinary team of psychologists and counselors that works collaboratively with Nebraska students to help them explore their feelings and thoughts and learn helpful ways to improve their mental, psychological and emotional well-being when issues arise. CAPS can be reached by calling 402-472-7450. Big Red Resilience & Well-Being provides fun events, innovative education, and dynamic services to help students understand emotions, manage stress, build strength, connect with others, develop grit and navigate transitions.

7. Books on Reserve at the Math Library in Avery

Alert: Subject to opening hours and policies of UNL Libraries, especially during pandemic.

Constraint Processing

Constraint Networks, Christophe Lecoutre (e-textbook, available from UNL's libaries).
Foundations of Constraint Satisfaction by Edward Tsang. Also, available online.

AI

Artificial Intelligence, A Modern Approach (AIMA), by Russell Norvig. Second Edition.
Artificial Intelligence, 3rd Edition.  Winston. ISBN 0201533774.
Essentials of Artificial Intelligence. Ginsberg. ISBN 1-558s60-22-6.  Call number Q335.G55 1993.
Artificial Intelligence: A New Synthesis. Nilsson. ISBN 1-55860-535-5. Call number Q335.N496 1998.
Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming. Norvig. ISBN 1-55860-191-0. Call number QA76.6.N687.
Artificial Intelligence. Structures and Strategies for Complex Problem Solving. Luger and Stubblefield

Lisp

Common Lisp, The Language, Second Edition. Guy L. Steele, Jr. Digital Press, ISBN: 1555580416
LISP, 3rd Edition. Winston & Horn. ISBN 0-201-08319-1.
ANSI Common Lisp; Graham. ISBN 0-13-370875-6.
Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming. Norvig. ISBN 1-55860-191-0. Call number QA76.6.N687.
Object Oriented Common Lisp. Slade. ISBN 0-13-605940-6 Call number QA76.64 .S576

Logic

A mathematical introduction to logic by Enderton, Herbert B, CALL NO. QA9 .E54 1972.

(AI) References

The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences, call number BF311 .M556 1999, LIB USE ONLY.
Encyclopedia of artificial intelligence, 1992, SECOND EDITION,call number Q335 .E53, LIB USE ONLY.
"AI Topics" by AAAI
Dictionary of Algorithms, Data Structures, and Problems
Online resources (wikipedia) and web search engines.

8. Online Resources