Course Title: Agent-Oriented Programming and Design

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Agent-Oriented Programming and Design

Credit Points: 12

Course Coordinator: Prof. Lin Padgham

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3214

Course Coordinator Email:lin.padgham@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Equivalent of Software Engineering Fundamentals AND Java for Programmers or Programming 2 or Java for C Programmers

Course Description

This course covers design and programming in the emerging field of agent-oriented software. The high level design methodology covered is appropriate for a wide range of approaches to agent development. The course covers identification of system goals, agent capabilities, data sources, agent interactions, use cases, scenarios, agent types and agent interaction diagrams. The detailed design and programming focuses on the "Belief, Desire, Intention" framework which is particularly suitable for intelligent agents and has a strong industry base in Melbourne. Programming is done using JACK, a commercial, java based agent development environment. Agent oriented systems are a growing area and the field of agent oriented software engineering is in its infancy.

For more detailed information about the course, please check
https://inside.cs.rmit.edu.au/agents/AOPD/

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The objective of this course is to develop an understanding of and gain experience with agent oriented design and development. Students will become familiar with a methodology for high level and detailed design as well as gain expertise in using a state of the art commercial intelligent agent development environment. Students will develop an understanding of the constructs available within this (and similar) environments and will gain experience in effective use of the available constructs. At the conclusion of the course students will have an appreciation of how to use agent development environments to design and build complex multi-agent systems.

Overview of Learning Activities

This course is run in a “studio” mode where students will work together to develop a design and implementation of an agent system over the course of the semester. Academic staff will guide the students and provide feedback in class.Each week there will be a 2 hour class. In two of the weeks there will be an afternoon workshop introducing the JACK agent platform and programming language.

During classes students will be presented with concepts and examples of the use of these concepts in design and programming. Students will then use these concepts to develop their own designs and receive feedback in class.

Additional assignment work will provide an opportunity for students to integrate the material they have learnt by designing and implementing an agent system. Students are expected to work both individually and in groups.

Attendance:
While a minimum attendance standard is not compulsory, non-attendance may seriously jeopardise the chances of success in this course. Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. Where visa conditions apply, attendance is compulsory.

Overview of Learning Resources

For extra support with study organisation, assignment planning or learning skills you may wish to contact any of the following:

Learning Skills Unit:
For appointments - ring 9925 4488 or go to Bldg 93, level 3
For drop-in, no appointment needed - go to HUB Bldg 12, level 4

CS&IT Teaching & Learning Advisors:
For appointments go to http://inside.cs.rmit.edu.au/staffbooking/ & click on Jeanette Holkner or Cecily Walker.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will contain a mix of individual and group assessment. Students will be expected to work consistently throughout the semester and keep up with the work. In particular, the material in the textbook is expected to be read before the relevant class.

For standard assessment details, including deadlines, weightings, and hurdle requirements relating to Computer Science and IT courses  see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/compsci/cgi