CSCE 782: Multiagent systems

A hands-on approach

Homepage: http://jmvidal.cse.sc.edu/csce782/
Instructor: José M. Vidal
Homepage: http://jmvidal.cse.sc.edu
Office:SWGN 3A51
Office Hours: Check my Calendar, or email me for appointment.
Email:vidal@sc.edu
Class Meeting Time: MW 4:00PM- 5:15PM
Class Meeting Room: Swearingen Room 2A21
Enrollment: Check status
Textbook: Multiagent Systems: A Modern Approach to Distributed Artificial Intelligence. Edited by Gerhard Weiss. We will also read a lot of papers which will be available from my password-protected library.

Grading:
Tests 4 tests, 10% each
PS 1: Software Agents 25% (10% writeup, 20% demo, 70% code)
PS 2: Robocup Tournament 35% (30% writeup, 70% code and performance)

Tests: They will be closed book and multiple choice. They will cover the class readings.

Problem Sets: You need to:

  1. Sign, fill out and turn in this coversheet the day the problem set is due.
  2. Turn in your well-commented source code using the department's dropbox system. Notice that the dropox closes at the specified time. If you are late, you will lose 20%.

Overview: This class will provide a solid foundation in the field of multiagent systems design and engineering. We study all the major MAS design techinques, agent architectures, and communication languages. We take a hands-on approach by designing and building robocup soccer teams and playing them against each other.

The class, therefore, has two components: theoretical and implementation. The theoretical component includes the lectures, readings from the textbook and paper. The tests will assess your knowledge of the theoretical aspects. The implementation component includes the two programming problem sets.

For the two problem sets, the students will form groups of 1-3 students each. All the members of a group are expected to contribute equal amounts effort.

Prerequisites: This class involves a lot of Java programming. It is also and advanced graduate class. You need to be fluent in all the basic data structures and algorithms, object-oriented programming, and the Java language in particular. You also need to have taken an introductory AI class and possess some mathematical sophistication.

Deliverables: Students who pass this class are be able to design and implemented complex software solutions for distributed, real-time, noisy problems that require the coordination of independent units. The students have in-depth knowledge of the most common agent architectures, agent communication languages, coordination protocols and the Java language. They also have basic knowledge of game theory and economic theory as they apply to the design of incentive-compatible protocols. Finally, they are capable of working as part of a software team and develop significant projects under a tight deadline.

Jose M. Vidal
Last modified: Sat Aug 25 16:36:52 EDT 2001