Cognitive Robotics, Spring 2004

Abstract:: Algorithms and paradigms for developing embedded systems that are able to operate autonomously for years at a time within harsh and uncertain environments. Focus on systems that demonstrate high levels of deduction and adaptation. Draws upon a diverse set of computational methods from artificial intelligence, operations research, software engineering, and control. Topics include: real-time deduction and search, automated planning, scheduling and execution, model-based diagnosis and failure recovery, reactive planning, hybrid systems, and agent architectures.

Cognitive Robotics, Spring 2005

Abstract:: Algorithms and paradigms for developing embedded systems that are able to operate autonomously for years at a time within harsh and uncertain environments. Focus on systems that demonstrate high levels of deduction and adaptation. Draws upon a diverse set of computational methods from artificial intelligence, operations research, software engineering, and control. Topics include: real-time deduction and search, automated planning, scheduling and execution, model-based diagnosis and failure recovery, reactive planning, hybrid systems, and agent architectures. Cognitive robotics addresses the emerging field of autonomous systems possessing artificial reasoning skills. Successfully-applied algorithms and autonomy models form the basis for study, and provide students an opportunity to design such a system as part of their class project. Theory and application are linked through discussion of real systems such as the Mars Exploration Rover.

Abstract:: In this course students will learn about Noetherian rings and modules, Hilbert basis theorem, Cayley-Hamilton theorem, integral dependence, Noether normalization, the Nullstellensatz, localization, primary decomposition, DVRs, filtrations, length, Artin rings, Hilbert polynomials, tensor products, and dimension theory.

Abstract:: Review of IPE field covering previous and core research focusing on dual national objectives in a global context, namely pursuit of power and pursuit of wealth. Surveys major paradigms of international political economy, including neoclassical economics, development and ecological economics, lateral pressure, and perspectives and structural views of power relations. Examines interaction of politics and economics on international trade, capital flows, foreign investment, intellectual property rights, international migration, and select issues in foreign economic policy in global context. Examines the evolution of international economic institutions and attendant political implications. Open to undergraduates by permission of instructor.

Abstract:: Study of condensed matter systems where interactions between electrons play an important role. Topics vary depending on lecturer but may include low-dimension magnetic and electronic systems, disorder and quantum transport, magnetic impurities (the Kondo problem), quantum spin systems, the Hubbard model and high temperature superconductors. Topics are chosen to illustrate the application of diagrammatic techniques, field theory approaches, and renormalization group methods in condensed matter physics. In this course we shall develop theoretical methods suitable for the description of the many-body phenomena, such as Hamiltonian second-quantized operator formalism, Greens functions, path integral, functional integral, and the quantum kinetic equation. The concepts to be introduced include, but are not limited to, the random phase approximation, the mean field theory (aka saddle-point, or semiclassical approximation), the tunneling dynamics in imaginary time, instantons, Berry phase, coherent state path integral, renormalization group.