Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - CMPT 310 D100

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3)

Class Number: 4878

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 225 and STAT 271, all with a minimum grade of C-. Recommended: MATH 251.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Artificial intelligence is an area with vast application scenarios. This course is intended as a prerequisite for advanced-level AI courses and covers the fundamental concepts and foundational mathematical formulations in machine learning and AI. Topics include supervised learning, linear regression, gradient descent, search algorithms, Markov decision processes, and Bayes nets.

COURSE DETAILS:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the part of computer science concerned with systems that learn, reason and make/support decisions. The goal of this course is to provide students with a survey of different aspects of artificial intelligence. A variety of approaches with general applicability will be developed. The first topic is searching for solutions to complex decision and planning problems (search strategies and heuristics). Symbolic logic will be presented as a formalism for representing knowledge in AI systems. Probability as a mechanism for handling uncertainty in AI will be presented, with a focus on Bayesian networks. We will introduce basic concepts of machine learning, including as decision trees and neural nets.

Topics

  • Search
  • Logic
  • Game playing
  • Reasoning under uncertainty (probability)
  • Bayesian networks
  • Machine learning

Grading

  • 4 assignments 40%
  • Midterm exam 25%
  • Final exam 35%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Books:

Artificial Intelligence: Foundations of Computational Agents, David L. Poole and Alan Mackworth, New York : Cambridge University Press, 2010, 9780521519007

Artificial Intelligence (6th Edition). Structures and Strategies for Complex Problem Solving, George Luger, Addison Wesley, 2009, 9780321545893

REQUIRED READING:

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 4th edition

  • Stuart Russell, Peter Norvig
  • Pearson 
  • 2021

ISBN: 9780137505135

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 D 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).

 

  • Use of AI tools by students for completing graded scholarly activities and course submissions that has not been explicitly authorized by the instructor  will be considered as plagiarism under SFU’s Code of Academic Policy (http://www.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/t10-02.htm).  Following this policy, instructors will report all instances of plagiarism to the academic integrity board.  

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.