CE213-5-QS-:
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

The details
2025/26
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Spring - Partner
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 12 January 2026
Friday 20 March 2026
15
03 September 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

CE345

Key module for

BSC I400BH Artificial Intelligence

Module description

This module provides an introduction to three fundamental areas of artificial intelligence: search, knowledge representation and learning. These underpin all more advanced areas of artificial intelligence and are of central importance to related fields such as computer games and robotics.


Within each area, a range of methodologies and techniques are presented; emphasis is placed on understanding their strengths and weaknesses and hence on assessing which is most suited to a particular task. The module also provides an introduction to the philosophical arguments about the possibility of a machine being able to think. It concludes with a brief overview of systems based on interacting intelligent agents.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To provide an introduction to three fundamental areas of artificial intelligence: search, knowledge representation and learning.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Explain and criticise the arguments that have been advanced both for and against the possibility of artificial intelligence.

  2. Explain and implement standard blind and heuristic search procedures, demonstrate an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and of how they may be applied to solve well-defined problems.

  3. Explain the operation of standard production system interpreters, and demonstrate an understanding of their relative merits.

  4. Explain the operation of a range of established machine learning procedures and demonstrate an understanding of the types of problems for which they are appropriate.

  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the agent-oriented approach to artificial intelligence, and explain how a multi-agent system of purely reactive agents may be built using a subsumption architecture.

Module information

Outline Syllabus


Introduction



  • What is AI?

  • Is AI possible?

  • How is AI possible?

  • AI applications


 


Solving problems by searching



  • State space representation

  • Search trees and graphs

  • Blind search strategies - depth first, breadth first and iterative deepening

  • Heuristic search - greedy search and A* search

  • Game playing - minimax search, Monte-Carlo tree search


 


Using knowledge to solve problems



  • The importance of domain knowledge

  • Rule based systems (Expert systems)

  • Forward chaining rule interpreters

  • Backward chaining rule interpreters

  • AI Ethics


 


Acquiring knowledge - machine learning



  • Decision tree induction

  • Introduction to Neural networks

  • Reinforcement learning - Q algorithm

  • Genetic algorithms


 


Intelligent agents



  • Reactive agents

  • Subsumption architectures for purely reactive agents

  • Multi-agent systems 

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Lectures and Laboratories

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Partnership 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Partnership 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Vishal Singh, email: v.k.singh@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Vishal Singh
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.

 

Further information

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