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Monash University

FIT5167 Natural computation for intelligent systems - Semester 1, 2013

This unit looks at the development and application of biologically inspired models of computation. We study: basic components of a natural neural systems: synapses, dendrites and neurons and their computational models; fundamental concepts of data and signal encoding and processing; neural network architectures: pattern association networks, auto associative networks, feedforward networks, competitive networks, self organizing networks and recurrent networks; plasticity and learning. Hebb rule, supervised learning, reinforced learning, error-correcting learning, unsupervised learning, competitive learning, self-organization.

Mode of Delivery

Caulfield (Day)

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload requirements

Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week during semester on this unit as follows:

  • two-hour lecture
  • two-hour tutorial (or laboratory) (requiring advance preparation)
  • a minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of contact time in order to satisfy the reading and assignment expectations.
  • You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week in some weeks, for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

CSE5301

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Caulfield

Grace Rumantir

Consultation hours: Tuesday 2 pm - 4 pm

Tutors

Caulfield

Minh Viet Le

Consultation hours: Monday 12noon - 2pm

Academic Overview

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will:
  • understand basic computational principles underlying the operations of biological neural systems;
  • have knowledge of computational methods of simulating biological and artificial neural systems;
  • have knowledge of supervised, unsupervised and self-organising neuronal learning systems;
  • be able to use computer software to simulate behaviour of neurons and neural networks.

Unit Schedule

Week Activities Assessment
0   No formal assessment or activities are undertaken in week 0
1 Introduction There is a self-assessed test (not marked) on basic maths and statistics on Moodle that will be discussed in the Week 1 tutorial. Please complete this to see if you need to do further study prior to completing this unit.
2 Artificial Neural Networks: an Overview  
3 Perceptron for Linear Pattern Classification  
4 Neural Networks for Non-linear Pattern Recognition 1  
5 Neural Networks for Non-linear Pattern Recognition 2  
6 Generalisation and Improving Neural Networks Performance  
7 Unsupervised Classification with Self Organising Maps  
8 Unit Test (in lecture time slot, tutorials still on) Unit Test during Week 8 lecture (Monday 29 April 2013)
9 Associative Memory Networks Assignment Stage 1 during Week 9 tutorial
10 Neural Networks for Time series Forecasting  
11 Recurrent Networks for Time series Forecasting Assignment Stage 2 due start of Week 11 lecture (Monday 20 May 2013)
12 Revision  
  SWOT VAC No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC
  Examination period LINK to Assessment Policy: http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/
academic/education/assessment/
assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Assessment Task Value Due Date
Unit Test 20% Unit Test during Week 8 lecture (Monday 29 April 2013)
Applications of Neural Network Algorithms 20% Assignment Stage 1 during Week 9 tutorial, Assignment Stage 2 due start of Week 11 lecture (Monday 20 May 2013)
Examination 1 60 % To be advised

Teaching Approach

Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated learning, practical exploration and peer learning.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

  • Assessment task 1
    Title:
    Unit Test
    Description:
    Closed-book unit test to be conducted in the lecture time slot in Week 8.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    Correct answers to questions, and quality of solutions to problems, which demonstrates understanding of the learning materials.

    Further detail of the format and coverage of the unit test will be made available on Moodle.

    Due date:
    Unit Test during Week 8 lecture (Monday 29 April 2013)
    Remarks:
    The unit test will be conducted during the Week 8 lecture time slot.  Week 8 tutorials will still run as per normal.
  • Assessment task 2
    Title:
    Applications of Neural Network Algorithms
    Description:
    Students are to build neural network models for a given data set and provide analysis thereof.
    Weighting:
    20%
    Criteria for assessment:

    The assignment will be in paired groups. 

    Stage 1: Group formation and understanding the assessment tasks (non assessable).

    Stage 2: Submission (20%).

     Students will be assessed on:

    • The degree to which the submission meet the assignment specification.
    • The quality of the data preprocessing and the design of experiments.
    • How well the experiments are conducted and summarised.
    • How well the results of the experiments are analysed and documented.

    The tutor will monitor individual contributions when allocating marks to members of the group.

    Further assessment criteria and marking sheet will be made available on the unit Moodle site.

    Due date:
    Assignment Stage 1 during Week 9 tutorial, Assignment Stage 2 due start of Week 11 lecture (Monday 20 May 2013)
    Remarks:
    The assignment is to be submitted at the start of the Week 11 lecture.  Penalty for late submission applies.

Examinations

  • Examination 1
    Weighting:
    60 %
    Length:
    3 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    Scientific Calculator

Learning resources

Reading list

  • S. Samarasinghe, Neural Networks for Applied Sciences and Engineering: From Fundamentals to Complex Pattern Recognition, Auerbach Publications, 2007 (e-book from Monash Library)
  • G. Dreyfus, Neural Networks: Methodology and Applications, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2005 (e-book)
  • R. Beale, Neural Computing: an Introduction, Institute of Physics Pub., Bristol, 1991 (e-book)
  • S. Haykin, Neural Networks and Learning Machines, 3rd Edition, Prentice Education , Inc., New Jersey, 2009
  • C. Bishop, Neural Networks for Pattern Recognition, Oxford University Press, 2005
  • J. Freeman and D. Skapura, Neural Networks: Algorithms, Applications, and Programming Techniques, Addison-Wesley, Massachussets, 1991

Monash Library Unit Reading List
http://readinglists.lib.monash.edu/index.html

Feedback to you

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:
  • Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
  • Graded assignments with comments
  • Interviews
  • Test results and feedback
  • Quiz results
  • Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

It is a University requirement (http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html) for students to submit an assignment coversheet for each assessment item. Faculty Assignment coversheets can be found at http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/. Please check with your Lecturer on the submission method for your assignment coversheet (e.g. attach a file to the online assignment submission, hand-in a hard copy, or use an online quiz).

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

Required Resources

Please check with your lecturer before purchasing any Required Resources. Limited copies of prescribed texts are available for you to borrow in the library, and prescribed software is available in student labs.

You will need access to a Neural Network tool such as:

  • Matlab 2009a with Neural Network Toolbox
  • Weka (available free from http://www.cs.waikato.ac.nz/ml/weka/)
  • Emergent (available free from http://grey.colorado.edu/emergent/index.php/Main_Page)
  • SNNS (available free from www.ra.cs.uni-tuebingen.de/SNNS)

All the above softwares are available in the 24 hour labs B3.45, B3.46, B3.46b at the Caulfield Campus.  Submit an online IT request to gain access to these labs at http://www1.infotech.monash.edu.au/webservices/servicedesk/requestform/

Examination material or equipment

Scientific Calculator

Other Information

Policies

Graduate Attributes Policy

Student services

Monash University Library

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit

This unit was offered for the first time in Semester 1, 2010.  It has consistently been getting well above 4 out of 5 on every question in the unit evaluation with close to 100% response rate every year.  We will try to continue maintaining the high quality of the unit this year.  Most notable characteristics of the unit as pointed out by previous student feedback are:

  • It covers topics that technical but highly relevant in practical use in the industry
  • Unit materials are structured in a well organised manner
  • Delivery of unit materials is done in a friendly interactive manner
  • Weekly quizzes help students in their self study during the week
  • Timely feedback on formal assessments
  • Feedback from students for improving the quality and delivery of the unit are sought out throughout the semester

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp

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