Cogs2010 Laboratory Introduction to Models in Cognitive Science
Semester II, 2002

Overview

 

Cogs 2010 introduces basic principles and issues related to computational modeling of cognitive, perceptual and linguistics processes in cognitive science.  It introduces neural networks and other modeling frameworks, and emphasizes the significance of modeling techniques for cognitive science.

 

The course includes weekly lab sessions, which provide an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with some of the important models in the area.

 

Part 1: Neural Network models (weeks 1-5) includes neural network simulations

Part 2: Complex systems and evolutionary computation (weeks 6-10) includes GA simulations

Part 3: Symbolic models (week 11) includes Copycat

Part 4: Embodied cognition (week 12)

Assumed Background

 

Students are assumed to have completed at least two units of computer science (such as COMP1500), 2 units of mathematics or statistics (such as MATH, or PSYC1040) and 6 units of advanced courses (second year or above) related to cognitive science (such as COMP, PSYC, PHIL, LING). It is also recommended that students have completed COGS1000 or COGS2000 or an introductory artificial intelligence or cognitive science course.

Objectives

 

During the course students should:

 

·         acquire knowledge and understanding of connectionist and other computational models that are used to model cognition and intelligence.

·         gain an understanding of the cognitive phenomena to which these architectures apply.

·         gain an appreciation of fundamental cognitive issues that these architectures highlight.

·         acquire the skills to simulate these architectures.

Web Pages

Cogs 2010  Home Page:  http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~cogs2010

Connectionist Models of Cognition (CMC text book and simulator): http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~cogs2010/cmc/

Cognitive Science Home Page: http://cognitivescience.uq.edu.au/


Lecturer and tutor Contact Details

 

A/Prof Janet Wiles

School of Psychology and School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

Room: 333, General Purpose South Building (bldg 78)

Email: j.wiles @ itee.uq.edu.au

Phone: 3365 2902                

Office hours: Tuesday 2-4

 

Tutor: Ben Skellett

School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

Room: 430, General Purpose South Building (bldg 78)

Email: ben @ itee.uq.edu.au

Phone: 3365 2904                

Office hours: Thursday 2-4

Mode of Delivery: Times and Rooms

 

Thursday 4-6pm: Lecture in GP-South (bldg 78) room 224

Tuesday 4-6pm: Laboratory sessions will be in GP-South,   Room 78-208.  Note that in the first week there will be no laboratory session.

Cogs2010 includes two different kinds of knowledge, content and skill.

·        Content refers to the basic facts and ideas that underpin computational approaches to cognition. The content will be covered primarily in the lectures.

·        Skill refers to the ability to construct, run, and interpret computational models using computer based simulation packages. Skill acquisition will occur primarily in the laboratory sessions.

Schedule

See the online updated version here.

Textbook

The lab sessions will involve using several simulation packages.  The neural network exercises are from the online textbook “Connectionist Models of Cognition”. You don’t need to register to use Brainwave in the lab.  The local site for Brainwave is at http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~cogs2010/cmc/

Hyperlinks to the appropriate chapters are provided in the schedule table. The textbook contains interactive exercises using the Brainwave neural network simulator, which is built into the web pages. We recommend that you use Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater on Windows 95/98 for best results. To access the textbook outside of the laboratory times, you can use the library machines or use your own Internet connection.

Readings

Each week has assigned readings as listed in the Schedule table. Articles that are not online will be available from the UG course centre (on the second level of the Psychology Building). You are expected to read this material and the relevant simulation documentation prior to each lab. The readings in the schedule and laboratory work are examinable.

Further readings are suggested at the end of each chapter of the online textbook. These readings are not compulsory but do provide background to the subject.

Assessment

Oncourse assessment (50%): Weekly labs are worth 40% total, the assignment worth 10%

Written answers to exercises are due at the end of each lab. Late penalty 1 mark per day unless given permission by the tutor. Lab exercises handed in later than 1 week will not be marked.

The assignment is due Thursday 31st October.

Examination (50%) – The exam will be held during the normal examination period and may include any material from the course content, including lectures, assigned readings and lab exercises. The exam will comprise short answer questions and worked problems.

To pass the course, a student needs to pass both the oncourse and examination components.


Assessment Criteria for Grades

 

Laboratory Exercises: A student will have demonstrated a high level of performance in the lab exercises if in their submitted work they:-

  • Answer all of the procedural questions correctly.
  • Demonstrate a high level of understanding of how the architecture addresses relevant psychological phenomena and cognitive issues
  • Demonstrate some evidence of innovative thinking in the design or interpretation of a given model.
  • Submit all reports on time, in a neat and tidy form.

 

Examination: A student will have demonstrated excellent knowledge in the exam if their performance:-

  • Demonstrates understanding of the procedural details of all of the architectures covered in the class.
  • Shows they are capable of completing worked problems relating to these architectures.
  • Demonstrates an appreciation and understanding of how these architectures address relevant psychological phenomena and cognitive issues.
  • Demonstrates some evidence of innovative thinking in the interpretation of the models.

A grade of 7 will be awarded to a student who demonstrates excellent skills and knowledge as assessed by the examination, and who performs at a high level in the lab exercises and assignment.

A grade of 6 will be awarded to a student who demonstrates at least sound level of achievement/understanding in all assessment areas and achieves excellence in either the exam or the oncourse assessment.

A grade of 5 will be awarded to a student who demonstrates at least sound work in all assessment areas. Alternatively, a grade of 5 will be awarded to a student who demonstrates excellent knowledge/skill in one major area of assessment and basic knowledge/skills in the other areas.

A grade of 4 will be awarded to a student who demonstrates at least basic skills in all areas of assessment, or at least sound skills and sound knowledge levels in the majority of the assessed work.

Otherwise, a failing grade will be awarded


Plagiarism (School of Psychology)

Copying the assignment work of other students, allowing other students to copy assignment work by you and excessive collaboration are all regarded as plagiarism - a university offence. If you are in doubt about the permitted extent of collaboration, see the course coordinator.

When plagiarism is detected, no credit will be awarded for the component of assessment involved. If collaboration involves excessive cooperation, all parties involved will receive no credit for that component.

That having been said, discussion with colleagues (which should be duly acknowledged) is an essential part of the learning experience. But having learned material, the work submitted for assessment must be your own.

Please read the note included in the University's published literature on misconduct in the Student Handbook ... a survival guide.

Academic Merit, Plagiarism, Collusion and Other Misconduct (from the ITEE web page)

“The School and the wider academic community in general takes academic integrity and respect for other persons and property very seriously. In particular, the following behaviour is unacceptable: Submission of plagiarised work, i.e. work that contains content copied from an unacknowledged source. Submission of work without academic merit, i.e. work that adds little or nothing to material available from reference sources such as textbooks, websites, etc., even where this is appropriately acknowledged. Engaging in collusive behaviour, i.e. inappropriate working together with other students where individual work is required, or working with people outside your team where team work is required. Copying work done by other students. Failing to adhere to the School's regulations concerning behaviour in laboratories, in particular occupational health and safety regulations.

Penalties for engaging in unacceptable behaviour can range from cash fines or loss of grades in a subject, through to expulsion from the University.

You are required to read and understand the [ITEE] School Statement on Misconduct, available on our website at:  http://www.csee.uq.edu.au/about/student-misconduct.jsp

If you have any questions concerning this statement, please contact your lecturer in the first instance.”

Student Support Services

Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the subject is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services.

Graduate Attributes

·        This course should contribute to the student’s growing knowledge of cognitive science, how it is studied and how it relates to other disciplines.

·        It should give specific skills in simulation of cognitive phenomena.

·        Practice in effective communication is fostered through discussions in lectures and tutorials, and through written assignments.