AM/AMP24: Multi-Agent Systems (7.5 ECTS)

STADS: 2101441

Level
PhD course

Teaching period

Varying.

Teacher responsible
Email: yves@mip.sdu.dk

Timetable
There is no timetable available for the chosen semester.

Comment:
Periode: 3. til 15. august 2006 – eksamen 17. august 2006

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Bachelor degree in Computer Systems Engineering or similar. No prior background in multi-agent systems and technology is expected, eventhough a basic background in Artificial Intelligence and/or Software Engineering will certainly help.

Course introduction
The significance of multi-agent systems research and technology is increasing due to the growing need to coordinate distributed operations, their increasing use to simulate complex systems in a decentralised way, and the developing communication infrastructure. The aim of the course is to give participants a grounding in Multi-Agent Systems - one of the most active areas of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence - and put them in a position to participate in either Multi-Agent PhD projects and/or to prepare them for MAS use in the industry.

Expected learning outcome


Subject overview
After a general introduction to Multi-Agent Systems, we present the basic notions of the domain, insisting on methodological issues of how such systems may be conceived and realised. We show how MAS methodology is different from more traditional methodologies and we identify the best problems and the particular domains in which MAS seems to be the most promising paradigm to adopt. We approach MAS starting by splitting them into Agents, Environments, Interactions, Organisations and Dynamics. An important part of the presentation deals with the different types of "Interactions". Starting from Game Theoretic Interactions, followed by the communicational aspects of MAS and Interaction Protocols, we introduce different notions about Coordination, Coherence, Task Allocation and Negotiation. A discussion about "Organisations" and "Dynamics" of MAS follows. Having settled the different parts that constitute a MAS, enriched by MAS Learning issues, we then deal with the programming tools (from languages for building MAS to integrative enviroments) before presenting Multi-Agent Orented Programming (from agentcentred approach to alternative approaches where interactions or organisations may be considered at first). Implementation experiences are shared. In the final part of the presentation, examples of real-world applications are presented in various domains (vision, GIS, NLP, robotics, simulaiton of complex natural systems, software engineering, telecommunications, town and country development, Internet applications). We conclude by presenting current MAS structures (organisations and events) and we report some recent major MAS events. Emphasis is given to concepts, results, and algorithms that have direct applications to computational multi-agent systems. As part of the course, several exercises are analysed and programmed using a standard multi-agent oriented programming tool.

Literature

Oplyses ved kursets start

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Programming a MAS test case using MAS technology, in addition to a graded oral examination with external evaluation.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Forelæsninger (45 timer), programmering (15 timer) og intensivt kursus over 2 uger.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English, if international students participate. Otherwise the course is taught in Danish.

Remarks
The course may be taken by Master students, but be aware that it is a Ph.D.-course and that the level is therefore very high.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.