Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMPT 417 D100

Intelligent Systems (3)

Class Number: 5521

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 225 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Intelligent Systems using modern constraint programming and heuristic search methods. A survey of this rapidly advancing technology as applied to scheduling, planning, design and configuration. An introduction to constraint programming, heuristic search, constructive (backtrack) search, iterative improvement (local) search, mixed-initiative systems and combinatorial optimization.

COURSE DETAILS:

Many real computing applications involve computational problems for which no generally efficient algorithms are known. These problems often involve relatively small inputs, but astronomically-sized search spaces in which solutions may be well hidden. Developing practical software for solving these problems is challenging and costly. This course examines methods for automatically solving these problems based on high-level specifications, much as we use a query language rather than low-level algorithms to answer complex questions about a large data set. The course will pursue two tracks in parallel. In one, we will examine the design and use of real systems that are products of major companies or widely used research tools, including hands-on experience. In the other, we will develop formal foundations to support principled design and analysis of such systems and their use in critical applications, and to understand their strengths and limitations. We will begin with lectures on fundamentals, and toward the end shift to considering current issues and research directions. The course is suitable for students with an interest in research or in tackling problems that are not well solved. A strong discrete math and algorithm background is recommended. Ideally, students should have taken CMPT-307 and CMPT-310, or at least have MACM-201. The individual project requires knowledge of Python programming.

 

Topics

  • Intractable AI and optimization problems
  • Improved versions of best-first search, bounded-suboptimal search, local search, etc.
  • Advanced techniques: Generating complex heuristics, pattern databases, bidirectional and dual searches, etc.
  • A case study of the multi-agent pathfinding problem
  • Applications in planning, multi-agent/robot systems, games, etc.

Grading

NOTES:

Individual Project (20%), Late Midterm Exam (30%), Final Project (50%).

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach

  • Fourth Edition
  • Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig
  • Pearson/Prentice Hall

ISBN: 9780134610993

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.