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Teaching
Previous Courses
COSC 6342: Machine Learning - Fall 2009
COSC 7363: Advanced Artificial Intelligence (Special Topic on
Metalearning) - Summer 2009
COSC 6343: Advance Topics in Pattern Analysis (Special Topic
on Astrostatics) - Spring 2009
COSC 6368: Artificial Intelligence - Spring 2008
COSC 4368: Artificial Intelligence Programming - Fall 2006
Philosophy
My objective is to give students a solid foundation in
computer science and the vision to apply their knowledge in
real-world applications. The use of computer science in
real-world applications requires more knowledge than that
acquired by an introductory course in the field. Real-world
applications are challenging because they involve the combination
of several techniques interacting in complex ways. The
recently-graduated student often finds a big gap between the
understanding of basic concepts in computer science and the
knowledge necessary to comprehend the structure of a full
industrial solution. My teaching strategy is to bridge the gap
between the theory behind an introductory course in computer
science and the knowledge necessary to understand practical
applications in the real-world.
For example, a course in artificial
intelligence can be designed by covering the basic concepts in
the field, while describing projects that have had an important
impact in industry. From chess programs, to the use of machine
learning for face recognition and fraud detection, to the design
of highly massive parallel computers to investigate the
protein-folding problem, the student should get a clear
understanding of how techniques in artificial intelligence are
combined to yield practical and tangible results.
My experience is that students (both
undergraduates and graduates) need incentives to grow in
motivation and remain focused during class. That is why
explaining the practical value of a concept may help acquire a
different perspective on the importance of the subject. Other
examples include mentioning anecdotes about the history of how we
obtained an understanding of a theory, or how a mechanism was
designed. In summary, I believe a course must be designed with the
purpose of educating students in both the theoretical and
practical aspects of the subject of study.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Current Address: Department of Computer Science, University of
Houston, 4800 Calhoun Rd, Houston TX 77204-3010
Phone: (713) 743-3614 - Fax: (713) 743-3335 (attn. R. Vilalta)
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