"Three Concepts: Utility", Spring 2007

Three Concepts: Utility, Course at the Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki

This course is the third course in the "Three concepts" series, and serves as an introduction to search methods in high-dimensional spaces typical to data modeling and optimization of complex systems. The focus is in the use of stochastic search algorithms, or metaheuristics, such as randomized greedy, simulated annealing and genetic algorithms for solving optimization problems typical of complex artificial systems such as telecommunication networks, logistics or decision support systems.

Course instructor: Tei Laine, PhD
Course assistant: Teemu Roos
Time and location: Tue 9-12 C222 (period III), Tue 10-12 C222 (period IV)

The course involves project work. Current schedule is only tentative and it is frequently updated --- check back often.

IMPORTANT: This year the lectures will be given IN ENGLISH, unless all participants are native speakers of Finnish. All course material is in English.

Course description

Registration

Projects

Course material

Course Schedule

Jan 16: Class 9-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Introduction.
  - Course policies
  - Reinforcement learning
- Introduction to Project I: k-armed bandit
Jan 23: Class 9-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Simulated annealing (SA)
- Assignment:
  - Read the material on simulated annealing.
  - Write a program in which you apply SA to the problem of your choice. Run a few tests by varying the implementation details of your algorithm, and write a 1-page (not more!) report about your tests.
  - Prepare one slide (not more!) on you tests and be prepared to present it in the class.
Jan 28 (Midnight): Deadline for Project I (1st phase).
Jan 30: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Tabu Search
- Discussion on Project I (phase 1). Test runs Cumulative rewards
- Assignment:
  - Read the material on tabu search.
  - Apply tabu search to a problem of your choice. Run a few tests with your implementation, and write a 1-page (not more!) report about your tests.
  - Prepare one slide (not more!) on you tests and be prepared to present it in the class.
Feb 4 (Midnight): Deadline for Project I (2nd phase).
Feb 6: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Evolutionary Algorithms
- Discussion on the Project I (phase 2). Test runs Cumulative rewards
- Assignment: Apply genetic algorithm to evolve strategies for Prisoner's dilemma game.
Feb 11 (Midnight): Deadline for Project I (3rd phase).
Feb 13: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Ant Colony Optimization
- Discussion on the Project I (phase 3). Test runs Cumulative rewards
- Assignment: Apply ant colony optimization to the problem of recreation management.
Feb 20: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Multi-criteria Decision Making
- Introduction to Project II
- Assignment: Read the material on multi-criteria decision making and apply it to the problem of planning a healthy diet.
Mar 13: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Multi-criteria decision making
- Discussion on assignments on planning a healthy diet
Mar 20: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Poster presentation
Mar 27: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Introduction to Project III
Apr 1 (Midnight): Deadline for Project II.
Apr 3: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Discussion on Project II
- Experiment: ranking the graph layouts
- Presentations given by groups
Apr 15 (Midnight): Deadline for Project III (1st phase).
Apr 17: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Discussion on Project III
- First phase of Tragedy of the Commons game
Apr 22 (Midnight): Deadline for Project III (2nd phase).
Apr 24: Class 10-12 at C222 (Exactum)
- Topic: Discussion on Project III
- Second phase of Tragedy of the Commons game
- Presentation given by the groups
Apr 24: Poster session 16-19 in C222 (participation required).
April 27, 2007 (Midnight):




Three Concepts: Utility	2007