Computer Science

 

ECMM413 - Ontology for Information Systems **NOT RUNNING IN 2012/3** (2012)

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MODULE TITLEOntology for Information Systems **NOT RUNNING IN 2012/3** CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECMM413 MODULE CONVENERDr Antony Galton (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 weeks 0 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 1
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Although Ontology has existed as a philosophical discipline for hundreds of years, the term has in recent times been adopted by the Computer Science community to encompass a set of formal tools used to describe the  conceptualizations of reality that are embodied in information systems. As such, ontologies are of particular interest in Artificial Intelligence, Computational Linguistics, Database Theory, Information Engineering, and other areas. The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of key ontological concepts, to introduce specific formal tools for handling these concepts, to examine a number of particular ontologies that have been especially influential in the field, and to explore some specific application areas for ontological theory.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of key ontological concepts, to introduce specific formal tools for handling these concepts, to examine a number of particular ontologies that have been especially influential in the field, and to explore some specific application areas for ontological theory.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 use some of the main formal techniques used for constructing ontologies;
2 describe the nature and purpose of ontologies in the AI context, and show familiarity with at least one ontological formalism;
3 apply this knowledge to particular domains.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 demonstrate an understanding of how theoretical investigations can form an essential underpinning to practical research in the Computer Science domain;
5 describe the main trends in logic-based AI research.
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:
6 read and digest research papers from conferences and journals;
7 relate theoretical knowledge to practical concerns.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Historical introduction to ontologies, from ancient philosophy to the semantic web. Basic concepts of formal ontology (taxonomy, mereology, classes, individuals and relations, dependence, inheritance, topology, modality, etc) Formal tools for ontology: first-order logic; description logic. Examples of modern formal ontologies such as Cyc, DOLCE, BFO). Particular application areas (e.g., geographical or biomedical ontologies)

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 75.00 Guided Independent Study 75.00 Placement / Study Abroad 0.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 20 Lectures
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 5 Tutorials
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 50 Coursework
Guided independent study 75 Guided independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Coursework – exercise in the use of formal representation techniques 25 10 hours 1 Written
Coursework – exercise in ontological modelling of a chosen 25 10 hours 2,3 Written
Coursework – essay on a historical, philosophical, technological, or sociological aspect of ontology 50 30 hours 4-7 Written
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above Coursework (100%) All Completed over summer with a deadline of last week of August
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.
If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:
Proceedings of the FOIS conferences.

Applied Ontology journal (IOS Press)

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk


 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN Search
Set Colomb, Robert M. Ontology and the Semantic Web IOS Press 2007 978-1-58603-729-1 [Library]
Set Sowa, John F. Knowledge Representation: Logical, Philosophical and Computational Foundations Brooks/Cole 2000 0-534-94965-7 [Library]
Set Brachman, Ronald and Leveque, Hector Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Morgan Kaufmann 2003 1-55860-932-6 [Library]
Extended Munn,K, Smith,B Applied Ontology: An Introduction Ontos verlag 2008 978-3938793985 [Library]
Extended Staab, S, Studer, R Handbook on Ontologies 2nd Springer 2009 978-3540709992 [Library]
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) M (NQF level 7) AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Monday 12 March 2012 LAST REVISION DATE Monday 01 October 2012
KEY WORDS SEARCH None Defined