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<body stylesrc="Syllabus_No_Frames.html" background="../../../images/scarletback.gif" bgcolor="#FFFFCC" text="#000000" link="#FFFFFF" vlink="#FFFFFF" alink="#FFFFFF">  <div align="left"> <table border="0"> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="115" height="95%"> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="4" face="Arial"><strong>CONTENTS</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#MEMORANDUM"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>MEMORANDUM</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#CONTACT"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>CONTACT</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#OBJECTIVES"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>OBJECTIVES</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#BACKGROUND"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>BACKGROUND</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#GRADING"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>GRADING</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#EXTRA CREDIT"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>EXTRA CREDIT</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#HOMEWORK AND ASSIGNMENTS"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>HOMEWORK</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#PARTICIPATION"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>PARTICIPATION</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#EXAMINATIONS"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>EXAMINATIONS</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#ACADEMIC INTEGRITY"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>INTEGRITY</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#WITHDRAWAL POLICY"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>WITHDRAWAL</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#INCLEMENT WEATHER"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>WEATHER</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>INSTRUCTOR</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" align="top" width="115" height="10"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="../ES99.html#copyright" target="_parent"><font size="1" face="Arial"><strong>COPYRIGHT NOTICE</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" align="top" width="115" height="10"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" align="top" width="115" height="10"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><a href="../ES99.html#Syllabus" target="_parent"><font size="3" face="Arial"><strong>BACK</strong></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" align="top" width="115" height="10"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2"><em>Last updated</em></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" valign="top" width="115"><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2"><em>12/01/99</em></font></td> </tr> </table> </td> <td valign="top" width="15"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" width="15" height="1"></td> <td valign="top" width="450"><p align="center"><a href="Syllabus_No_Frames.html#PARTICIPATION"><img src="../../../images/rutgers.gif" alt="Rutgers" border="0" width="152" height="53"><br> </a><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" width="300" height="1"></p> <h1 align="center"><font color="#000099">Syllabus</font></h1> <h2 align="center">33:010:458<br> <font size="6">Accounting Information Systems</font><br> Fall 1999<br> </h2> <div align="left"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" height="40"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="90"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" width="90" height="1"></td> <td valign="top" colspan="2"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="3"><a name="MEMORANDUM"><font face="Arial"><strong>MEMORANDUM</strong></font></a><font face="Arial"><strong><br> </strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="3">Expert Systems Students<br> September 1, 1999<br> <p>The syllabus for this course is attached to this memorandum. It contains information about grading, homework, examinations, and my course philosophy and policies. A separate document contains the timetable for the semester.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1"><font size="3">You may, of course, contact me by e-mail or by telephone either to discuss problems and issues arising from the course, or to fix a mutually convenient time for us to meet outside office hours.</font><font size="2"> </font><br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">This is a new course offering primarily designed for Accounting Information System majors in the Ph. D. in Management program, but expected to appeal also to other Ph. D. students with an interest in Information Systems. Expert Systems represent a practical application of artificial intelligence techniques to unstructured problems requiring knowledge and expertise for their solution. A very large number of Expert Systems have been built, of which a small proportion (but still a significant number) have been successfully implemented in practice. Typically, successful implementations have required large financial outlays and considerable time expenditures. This course, however, is a research-level course, and although we will study the techniques involved, the obstacles they have faced, and current research offering solutions, we will not be aiming to develop practical implementation skills. The elicitation of expertise from human experts, for example, is an important skill that we will discuss but not practice. The main focus of the course will be (a) a general introduction to the subject; (b) study of certain mathematical background materials including graph theory and probability theory; (c) probabilistic and quasi-probabilistic expert systems using various methods for local computation (including belief functions, possibility theory and epistemic beliefs). I hope that you will find this material as challenging and as interesting as I do.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">The various policies and procedures for the course will be followed strictly and without exception. Every effort will be made to grade homework, projects and examinations promptly and accurately. Grades will be posted anonymously on my Web Site. In order to benefit from your efforts, please be sure to check your homework answers. Otherwise you will have made most of the effort for only a fraction of the potential benefit.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">My goal is that if you make the effort required to succeed in this class, you will develop a good understanding of current Expert System methodologies and techniques. This will require hard work on all sides. I am sure you will expect me to be prepared for every class, and I intend to be. In return, I expect you to be both present and prepared. In addition, I expect you to participate in classroom activities to the fullest extent possible given the number of people present. Remembering and understanding the material are both necessary; they will take time, and will require regular study. It is most unlikely that pre-examination cramming will be successful as a study technique.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">I will be giving this course my best effort throughout the semester, and I need you to do the same if I am to achieve my goal. I am looking forward to working with you. Expert Systems, and particularly modern probabilistic and quasi-probabilistic systems, are an exciting research topic with potential practical application of enormous significance and value to the business community, and you will see that I take a serious view of the commitment we will all need to make if the course is to be a success. However, nothing in this memorandum is meant to suggest that we should not enjoy our semester together. Studying can be both rewarding and fun in itself, but if you see opportunities for adding fun to our class that I have missed, please do not hesitate to draw them to my attention. I wish you every success in studying Expert Systems this semester.</p> <p>Yours sincerely</p> <p>Peter R Gillett<br> </p> </td> </tr> </table> </div><div align="left"><table border="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="55"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="55" width="1" height="1"></td> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="CONTACT"><strong>Room:</strong></a><strong> </strong></td> <td valign="top">MEC 201<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Time: </strong></td> <td valign="top">Th 1.30 - 4.30<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Instructor: </strong></td> <td valign="top">Professor Peter R. Gillett<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Office: </strong></td> <td valign="top">Levin 231<br> Ackerson 302<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Telephone: </strong></td> <td valign="top">(732) 445 4765<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Fax: </strong></td> <td valign="top">(732) 445 3201<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>E-mail: </strong></td> <td valign="top">gillett@everest.rutgers.edu<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Office Hours: </strong></td> <td valign="top">Th 4.30 - 5.30 or at other times by appointment<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><strong>Texts: </strong></td> <td valign="top"><i>Introduction to Expert Systems.</i> Peter Jackson. (Addison-Wesley 1999).<br> <br> <em>For additional readings, see the References appended to the Timetable.</em><br> </td> </tr> </table> </div><div align="left"><table border="0" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="20"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="7" width="1" height="1"></td> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2"><a name="OBJECTIVES"><font face="Arial"><b>OBJECTIVES</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">At the conclusion of this course, students should have gained:<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an enhanced understanding of the nature and role of Expert Systems, their advantages and their limitations<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an understanding of the principal components of expert systems and the range of applicable technologies<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an understanding of the knowledge engineering process and applicable techniques<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an understanding of various methods of machine learning<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">familiarity with ID3, C4.5 and certain related algorithms for machine learning<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">familiarity with rule-based Expert Systems, and practical experience of issues related to building them<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an understanding of uncertain reasoning in Expert Systems, including Certainty Factors as used in MYCIN, and the methods used in PROSPECTOR, together with their limitations<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an understanding of Pearl's work, leading to Bayes' nets<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">familiarity with the Lauritzen-Spiegelhalter, Aalborg and Shenoy-Shafer algorithms for local propagation<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">an understanding of probability theory, Dempster-Shafer belief functions, possibility theory and Spohn's epistemic calculus, and their application in Expert Systems<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>an introduction to current research in probabilistic and quasi-probabilistic Expert Systems.<br> </td> </tr> </table> </div><div align="left"><table border="0" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="BACKGROUND"><font face="Arial"><b>BACKGROUND</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">The course is designed assuming that students may not previously have taken any prior course in Expert Systems. No specific programming language is required, but it will be assumed that students have had some prior programming experience and will be able to learn to use an Expert System tool through out-of-class experiential learning. Although the course will begin with a wide-ranging general introduction to Expert Systems it will proceed rapidly to cover more advanced topics at a research level. Significant efforts will be expended in the second part of the course in studying primary research literature, including both classic and more recent papers. Students should expect classes to be a mixture of lecture, discussion, demonstration and debate, and should anticipate the need to make in-class presentations and to write a research paper of publishable quality. Prior preparation for class is expected. Attendance and active participation are strongly encouraged.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Any students who consider themselves disabled should communicate directly with the Dean's Office early in the semester so that the nature of their disability and any necessary accommodations can be determined. <br> </td> </tr> </table> </div><div align="left"><table border="0" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <td valign="top" width="20"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="7" width="1" height="1"></td> <td valign="top" width="160"> </td> <td align="right" valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top" width="20"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="7" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" colspan="4"><a name="GRADING"><font face="Arial"><b>GRADING</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top"><font face="Arial"><b>Total Possible Points:<br> </b></font></td> <td align="right" valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">Homework and Classroom Participation </td> <td align="right" valign="top">300<br> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">CLIPS Programming Project </td> <td align="right" valign="top">300<br> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">Mid-Term Examination</td> <td align="right" valign="top">300<br> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">Final Paper</td> <td align="right" valign="top">300<br> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">Final Examination </td> <td align="right" valign="top">300<br> ____<br> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top">TOTAL </td> <td align="right" valign="top">1500<br> ____<br> </td> <td valign="top"><br> </td> </tr> </table> </div><div align="left"><table border="0" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <td><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="HOMEWORK AND ASSIGNMENTS"><font face="Arial"><b>HOMEWORK AND ASSIGNMENTS</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b>, ETC.<br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">All homework and assignments are due at the beginning of the class period shown on the attached schedule.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Although individuals must turn in their own work, which should be the result of their own efforts, students are encouraged to seek assistance from each other and from the instructor if necessary prior to turning in homework assignments. These assignments are primarily designed as learning opportunities rather than evaluation tools. Collaboration and co-operative learning are here regarded as positive aspects of scholarly endeavor. Your worst homework assignment grade will be dropped.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">For the CLIPS programming assignment, students are encouraged to share ideas, approaches and solutions to particular programming difficulties. However, the exchange of actual program code is forbidden, and students must each submit their own program solutions, which should be their own work.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">The final paper should be original work of a publishable nature and quality. However, co-authored papers will be accepted (with advance approval by the instructor) provided that students can show that the topic addressed is commensurately more complex, broader, or more time-consuming than an individual paper would otherwise be. The paper will be due immediately prior to the commencement of the final examination, although it may be turned in earlier. You should plan on developing the paper as part of normal course work as the semester progresses, although a week has been allowed to finish the paper after classes are over. It is not my practice to allow incompletes for coursework not finished, except in the case of medical or other serious problems.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Needless to say, examinations must be the result of unaided individual efforts.<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="PARTICIPATION"><font face="Arial"><b>PARTICIPATION</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Participation grades will be assigned based on my assessment of how consistently and how effectively you contribute to the learning experiences of the class by your active participation. Factors assessed will include, but will not necessarily be limited to, demonstrated preparation of assigned discussion papers, chapters or questions, posing or answering questions during class, and student-lead discussions and presentations. A pre-condition of your participation, of course, will be your physical presence in class.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Although late arrival for class cannot always be avoided, persistent lateness is a discourtesy to me and to your fellow students, and will be penalized as part of the class participation grade along with absence. It is my policy to teach with the classroom doors closed; if you arrive late please close the door again quietly and avoid disturbing those of us who are already at work. You are expected to behave in class in a manner appropriate for professional accounting students.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Quality of participation is more important than quantity; too much is no better than too little; the ability or intention to participate is not a substitute for actually doing so. Be adventurous: wrong answers will gain you nothing - but they will not lose you points you have already gained!<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="EXAMINATIONS"><font face="Arial"><b>EXAMINATIONS</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">There will be a take-home mid-term examination due on the day shown on the timetable. The form of this examination will be specified in advance, and the examination itself will be made available one week in advance of the due date. You may spend up to, but no more than, four hours working on this examination, without reference to notes, books, or other study aids. The examination must not be shown to or discussed with other students, or anyone else, until after class is over on the due date. Graded examinations will not be returned, but may be reviewed in my office.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">You must take the Final Examination in order to pass the course. The Final Examination will be comprehensive, but greater emphasis will be placed on new material covered since the mid-term.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">A single make-up examination will be given if necessary for students unable to take the Final Examination during its scheduled period due to documented medical problems, participation in other university-sanctioned activities, or required religious observances.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Examinations will be closed book. Examination questions will be a mixture of essay questions and problems, and may cover any material in <i>assigned</i> sections of the textbooks or handouts (whether or not they surfaced in class discussions), any matters discussed in class (whether or not they are in the textbook or handouts), and matters arising from assignments and projects.<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="ACADEMIC INTEGRITY"><font face="Arial"><b>ACADEMIC INTEGRITY</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">University policy on academic integrity will be strictly enforced; penalties for cheating are severe. All suspected violations will be pursued and maximum penalties may be expected to be imposed. Academic dishonesty is always unacceptable, and never more so than in a professional school.</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="WITHDRAWAL POLICY"><font face="Arial"><b>WITHDRAWAL POLICY</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">The last day to withdraw from this course with a "W" grade is October 5. Late withdrawals will be given the appropriate letter grade based on the actual number of points accumulated at the time of withdrawal.<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="INCLEMENT WEATHER"><font face="Arial"><b>INCLEMENT WEATHER</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">The class will meet as scheduled if the University is open. Should the University close for any reason, any assignments due that day will be accepted at the next class meeting, but subsequent assignments will not be postponed. If the University is closed on a day that an examination is scheduled, then the examination will be deferred until the next class meeting.<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="1" vspace="10" width="1" height="1"><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"><a name="ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR"><font face="Arial"><b>ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR</b></font></a><font face="Arial"><b><br> </b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Peter R. Gillett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Accounting and Information Systems of the Faculty of Management at Rutgers. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Oxford, and a Ph. D. in Business from the University of Kansas, where he was the Ronald G. Harper Doctoral Fellow in the School of Business, and held the Ernst & Young Doctoral Fellowship in the Ernst & Young Center for Auditing Research and Advanced Technology.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Prior to joining Kansas, he spent from 1975 to 1992 in professional practice as an auditor, EDP auditor, and management consultant. After nine years with Price Waterhouse in London, he joined Grant Thornton's National office as National Computer Audit Partner, and subsequently assumed roles as Partner in charge of Advanced Audit Techniques, and European Director of Audit Methods.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Dr. Gillett has taught courses on Managerial Information Systems, Accounting Information Systems, Auditing and Advanced Auditing. He is a member of the Editorial Board of <i>Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory</i>, in which he has also published. In addition to numerous articles in professional journals in the UK, he has recently contributed a chapter on audit judgment to a monograph on Auditing Practice, Research and Education published by the AICPA. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and of the Institute of Management; in addition, he is a Member of the British Computer Society and of the Institute for the Management of Information Systems.<br> <img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" hspace="10" width="1" height="1">Dr. Gillett's dissertation "A Comparative Study of Audit Evidence and Audit Planning Models Using Uncertain Reasoning" won the 1997 Outstanding Dissertation Award at the University of Kansas. His current research is studying the use of uncertain reasoning techniques in audit planning models, and the representation of causality in auditing using event spaces.<br> </td> </tr> </table> </div></td> <td valign="top" width="5"><img src="../../../images/dot_clear.gif" width="5" height="1"></td> </tr> </table> </div>  </body>