Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

Topics covered include the following:
program structure
data structure
algorithm design
data validation
arrays and tables
sequential files
reporting
indexed files
strings
testing
References
To be advised
~ ~ 5 2 6 Knowledge Based Systems
No. of hours per week: three and a half hours
Prerequisite: BT506 lnformation Analysis and
experience in at least one programming
language
Instruction: lecture/laboratory
Assessment: examination/assignments
A knowledge of LOTUS 1-2-3 and dBASE would also be
useful.
Subject aims and description
In this subject the students develop an understanding of the
nature and uses of expert systems in business. The subject
involves practical work using the expert system building tools,
VP-Expert and ESE.
A second year subject in the graduate diploma business
information technology course.
Topics covered:
what expert systems are, how they are developed and
who is using them;
how expert systems differ from conventional software
programs, human beings who perform tasks expertly
and artificial intelligence programs;
various forms of knowledge representation;
principles of frame-based systems;
basic concepts of artificial intelligence and knowledge
engineering that affect design and implementation;
knowledge based design;
evolutionary process of knowledge acquisition needed to
put expertise into a machine;
principles of rule based systems and induction systems;
handling of uncertainty;
inference;
VP-Expert (on PC) and ESE (on IBM mainframe);
comparative strengths and weaknesses of existing
knowledge engineering tools for end users and
professional developers;
the pitfalls and opportunities that arise from the
important need to evaluate artificial expertise;
computers and natural language;
introduction to neural networks.
Textbook
Turban, E. Expert Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence.
Macmillan, 1992
References
Baur, G. and Pigford, D. Expert Systems for Business: Concepts and
Applications. Boston, Mass.. Boyd and Fraser, 1990
De Salvo, D. and Liebowitz, J. Managing Artificial Intelligence and
Expert Systems. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Yourdon Press, 1990
Friederich, S. and Gargano, M. Expert Systems Design and
Development Using VP-Expert New York, Wiley, 1989
Harmon, P. and Sawyer, B. Creating Expert Systems for Business and
Industry. New York, Wiley, 1990
Ignizio, J.P. An Introduction to Expert Systems: the Development and
Implementation of Rulebased Expert Systems. New York, McGraw-
Hill, 1991
Kosko. B. Neural Networks and Fuzzv Svstems: a Dvnamical Svstems
Approach to Machine Intelligence. fngiewood ~lifjs, N.J., printice
Hall, 1992
McTear, M. and Anderson, T. Understanding Knowledge Engineering.
Chichester, Ellis, Hofwood, 1990
Patterson, D.W. lntroduction to Artificial Intelligence and Expert
Svstems. Enalewood Cliffs. N.J.. Prentice Hall. 1990
Tbthill, G.S. knowledge Engineering: Concepts and Practices for
Knowledge-based Systems. Blue Ridge Summit, Pa, TAB Professional
and Reference Books, 1990
~~527 Programming B
Prerequisite: BT504 lntroduction to lnformation
Technology
Subject aims and description
This subject builds upon the programming skills and concepts
learned in BT504.
This subject introduces the student to sound software
engineering principles through programming in a block
structured language (currently C). The emphasis is on
developing and maintaining information systems applications
using modular techniques.
References
To be advised
~~601 Systems Project Management
No formal prerequisites are specified. However, it
will be assumed that candidates have a prior
knowledge of the system development process
equivalent to that gained from completing BT503
Software Engineering Strategies.
Subject aims
After completing this subject, students should be able to:
understand the main reasons for success or failure of
information systems projects;
coordinate the skills of a systems development team,
users and operators;
understand how formal planning and control methods,
including measurement, can be applied to the
development process;
plan and control the implementation of new systems.
Subject description
Topics covered include:
project teams and their behavioural development
project leadership
project planning and control
project administration
progress and quality reviews
systems development productivity techniques
the implications of changing systems
implementation of systems projects