Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

design a logical structured solution to a problem using
various algorithm techniques;
read, understand, modify, and debug COBOL programs;
design, write, test, and document attractive, wellstructured
programs in COBOL.
Topics covered include the following:
program structure;
data structure;
algorithm design;
data validation;
arrays and tables;
sequential files;
reporting;
indexed files;
strings;
testing.
References
To be advised
~~526 Knowledge Based Systems
No. of hours per week: three and a half hours
Prerequisite: BT506 lnformation Analysis and
experience in at least one programming language
Instruction: IectureAaboratory
Assessment: examination/aaignments
A knowledge of LOTUS 1-2-3 and dBASE would also be
useful.
Subject aims and description
In this unit the students develop an understanding of the
nature and uses of expert systems in business. The unit
involves practical work using the expert system building
tools, VP-Expert and ESE.
A second-year unit in the graduate diploma business
information technology course.
Topics covered:
what expert systems are, how they are developed and
who is using them;
how expert systems differ from conventional software
programs, human beings who perform tasks expertly
and artificial intelligence programs;
various forms of knowledge representation;
principles of frame-based systerns;
basic concepts of artificial intelligence and knowledge
engineering that affect design and implementation;
knowledge base design;
evolutionary process of knowledge acquisition needed to
put expertise into a machine;
principles of rule based systems and induction systems;
handling of uncertainty;
inference;
VP-Expert (on PC) and ESE (on IBM mainframe);
comparative strengths and weaknesses of existing
knowledge engineering tools for end users and
professional developers;
the pitfalls and opportunities that arise fmm the
important need to evaluate artificial expertise;
computers and natural language;
introduction to neural networks.
Textbook
Turban, E. Expert Systems and Applied Artificial Intelligence
Marmillan, 1992
References
Baur, G. and Pigford, D. Expert Systems for Business Concepts and
Applications. Boston, Mass.: Boyd and Fraser. 1990
De Salvo. D. and Liebowitz, J. Managing Artificial htelligence and
Expert Systems. Englewood Cliffs. N.J.: Yourdon Press, 1990
Friederich, S. and Gargano, M. Expert Systems Design and
Dedopmenr Using VPExpeR New York: Wiley, 1989
Harmon, F! and Sawyer, B. Creating Expert Systems f6r Business and
Industry N.Y.: Wiley, 1990
Ignizio, J.F! An Introduction to Expert Systems: the Development and
Implementation of Rulebased Expert Systems. N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, 1991
Kosko, B. Neural Networks and Fuuy Systems: a Dynamic Systems
Approach to Machine htelligence. Englwvood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-
Hall, 1992
McTear, M. and Anderson, T. Understanding Knowledge Engineering.
Chichester, Ellis: Hor\Nood, 1990
Patterson, D.W. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Expert
Systems. N.J.: Prentice- Hall. 1990
Tuthill, G.S. Knowledge Engineering: Concepts and hadices for
Knowledge-based Systems. Blue Ridge Summit, Pa: TAB Professional
and Reference Books, 1990
H527 Programming B
Prerequisite: BT504 lntroduction to lnformation
Technology
Subject aims and description
This unit builds upon the programming skills and concepts
learned in BT504.
This unit introduces the student to sound software
engineering principles through programming in a block
structured language (currently C). The emphasis is on
developing and maintaining information systems applications
using modular techniques.
References
To be advised
BT601 Systems Project Management
Subject aims
After completing this unit, students should be able to:
understand the main reasons for success or failure of
information systems projects;
co-ordinate the skills of a systems development team,
users and operators;
understand how formal planning and control methods,
including measurement, can be applied to the
development process;
plan and control the implementation of new systems.
Subject description
Topics covered include:
project teams and their behavioural development
project leadership
project planning and control
project administration
progress and quality reviews
systems development productivity techniques
the implications of changing systerns
implementation of systerns projects
No formal prerequisites are specified. Homr, it will be
assumed that candidates have a prior knowledge of the
system development process equivalent to that gained from
completing BT503 Software Engineering Strategies.
References
Gilb, T. Principles of Software Engineering Management. Wokingham:
Addison Wesley, 1988
Humphrey, W.S. Managing the Software Pmess. SEl Series in
Software Engineering, Addison Wesley, 1990
Keen, J.S. Managing Systems Development. 2nd ed. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 1987