Intelligence in Animals & Machines FAQ


  1. Where is detailed course information?
  2. Why isn't it on the Informatics courses webpage?
  3. What's it about?
  4. Didn't this used to be a double-weighted option?
  5. I'm from Informatics: won't the biology be difficult?
  6. I'm from Informatics: won't I already know the AI bit?
  7. I'm a biologist: will I be baffled with Computer Science?
  8. The wide scope of the course might be scary?
  9. Why are there so many lecturers? Who do I contact?
  10. I can't see lecture notes on Study Direct before I sign-up: can I see some examples?
 
  1. Where is detailed course information?

    Course handbook for present students. Don't be scared by the challenging scope: look at the lecture/seminar topics. You are carefully lead through many interesting things, supported all the way.

     

  2. Why isn't it on the Informatics courses webpage?

    It's a joint effort with Biology. It's listed in their course directory.

     

  3. What's it about?

    Exploring the areas in which biology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) researchers are touching on similar questions, through case-studies, reading, analysis and debate. Looking for principles of intelligence that apply across species, as well as understanding the differences in their capabilities, and the behavioural strategies and brain structures that underlie them. Hence the course is interesting whether or not you are bothered about AI!

     

  4. Didn't this used to be a double-weighted option?

    Yes, but for the coming year we're changing it to be a normal 15-credit option like the others.

     

  5. I'm from Informatics: won't the biology be difficult?

    The lecturers know their audience. This is a great chance to get a knowledge of the parts of biology most relevant to AI, from lecturers who really know their stuff.

     

  6. I'm from Informatics: won't I already know the AI bit?

    The overlap with previous courses only amounts to a couple of lectures, and even then we aim to give new examples and perspectives.

     

  7. I'm a biologist: will I be baffled with Computer Science?

    The lecturers know their audience: we assume no prior AI knowledge, and concentrate on general principles rather than technical details. This is a good chance to see how your knowledge and skills can contribute to debates in AI, and how attempting to design intelligent machines can give new tools and perspectives to biological inquiry. The course should be interesting even if you don't care much about AI.

     

  8. The wide scope of the course might be scary?

    When it comes to assessed work, including the exam, you are given a lot of choice. So if you find some topic difficult, you could choose other questions.

  9. Why are there so many lecturers? Who do I contact?

    So that each topic is covered by an expert - we consider a broad range of material. Together, the lecturers offer a very rich resource for you. The organiser is Paul Graham in BES, and from Informatics Adrian Thompson can also answer queries.

     

  10. I can't see lecture notes on Study Direct before I sign-up: can I see some examples?

    Content from 2008, but 2010 will be similar:

    1. Thinking about Intelligent Behaviour
    2. Designing Intelligent Behaviour
    3. Navigation in Insects: Path integration, Place learning
    4. Path Planning by Spiders and Frogs
    5. Memory organisation: procedural, contextual and episodic
    6. Visual Coding and Motion Detection in Flies. Neural Pathways, Behaviour, and Algorithms: 1, 2, 3
    7. Artificial Neural Nets (ANNs): 1, 2
    8. ANNs and Nature
    9. Social Organisation of Honeybee Foraging
    10. Observational Learning and Culture
    11. Tool Use and Insight
    12. Brain Size, Intelligence and Evolution: 1, 2

Adrian Thompson 01/03/2010 22:30