Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should know the basic principles of knowledge-based systems technologies; understand basic reasoning and knowledge representation techniques and the differences between a knowledge-based system and a conventional information system; be able to perform knowledge acquisition activities and to represent the acquired knowledge in rule form; and appreciate appropriate applications for knowledge-based technologies and the roles of experts, clients and developers.
Synopsis Initially developed as part of research into artificial intelligence, knowledge-based systems (KBS) are now being used in commercial information systems. This subject introduces students to the key concepts of KBS, and provides a broad understanding of the KBS development process. This knowledge will extend students' `tool kit' of available approaches as professional information systems designers. The following topics will be covered: the role of knowledge-based systems in business; knowledge representation with particular emphasis on production rules, inference and control structures, representation of uncertainty; the process of developing a knowledge-based system; knowledge acquisition; integration with organisational information systems. Assessment will include a project involving the acquisition of knowledge from an expert and the representation of this knowledge using a simple rule-based shell. Students will be expected to spend a significant amount of personal study time early in the semester learning the software and developing skills in formulating rule-based systems. The practical assignment must be accompanied by a written report of at least 1500 words analysing the student's experience of performing knowledge acquisition.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 50% + Practical work: 50%