CS 57100: Artificial Intelligence (Fall 2026)

Course Topics

Credit Hours: 3.00

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are increasingly being deployed in many real-world tasks. This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles and applications of AI. The course covers classic material including search-based methods, probabilistic reasoning, game playing, decision making, exact and approximate inference, causal learning, and reinforcement learning as well as selected advanced topics.

The focus of the course is on foundational methods and current techniques for building AI systems that exhibit “intelligent” behavior and can “learn” from experience.

Prerequisites

The course assumes students are familiar with basic concepts in analysis, linear algebra, optimization, discrete mathematics, elementary probability, statistics, data structures, and algorithms. Students are expected to have good programming and software development skills and have a working knowledge of Python and Java.

CS 25100 or CS 25300, MA 26500 or MA 35100, CS 38100, and STAT 35000 or STAT 35500 are required, each with a minimum grade of B, and may not be taken concurrently.

Teaching Assistants

• Hrishikesh Viswanath (hviswan@purdue.edu) — office hours Thursday, 5:00–5:30 p.m.
• Yiran Hu (hu954@purdue.edu) — office hours Tuesday, 11:00–11:30 a.m.

Instructor Office Hours

Available by appointment. Please email me a time.

Mailing List

There will be a course email list (via Brightspace) used for high-priority announcements. This will use your @purdue.edu email address, so please be sure to check it regularly.

Detailed instructions, submission requirements, and due dates will be available through Brightspace and Gradescope. Assignment and examination feedback will be provided through Gradescope. Course grades will be recorded in Brightspace.

The official Fall 2026 syllabus will be published through Purdue’s Simple Syllabus, available from the Syllabus tab in Brightspace. This webpage is maintained as a convenient course reference.

Course Methodology

The course will primarily be taught through lectures, supplemented with reading.

The primary reading will be from the textbook. The written assignments and projects are also a significant component of the learning experience.

We will use Ed Discussion to facilitate discussions; this will enable you to post questions as well as respond to questions posted by others. The link to join the course discussion will be available in Brightspace.

Evaluation/Grading

Student achievement will be evaluated using a midterm examination, a final examination, written and programming assignments, and a self-directed final team project. Detailed instructions, submission requirements, and due dates will be available through Brightspace and Gradescope.

The final course grade is calculated using the following weights:

• Midterm Exam: 25%
• Final Exam: 35%
• Written assignments and programming projects: 20%
• Self-directed final team project: 20%

Course Textbook

The textbook for this course is:

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach
Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig
Pearson, 2021
ISBN: 9780137505135

Brightspace learning management system (LMS): Access the course via Purdue’s Brightspace learning management system. It is strongly suggested that you explore and become familiar not only with the site navigation, but also with the content and resources available for this course. See the Student Services widget in Brightspace for Technology Resources, Academic Resources, Campus Resources, and Health and Well-Being Resources.

Course Schedule

Final Exam

The final exam will be scheduled by the Registrar during final-exam week, December 14–19, 2026. The exact date, time, and location will be posted when available. Do not make travel plans until the final-exam schedule is confirmed.

Quiet Period: December 7–12, 2026. Because this course has a final exam, no graded assessment will be required or collected during this period. See Purdue’s Quiet Period regulation.

Use of Generative AI

Generative AI tools may be used for ungraded study, such as explaining concepts, generating practice questions, brainstorming approaches, or debugging code that you wrote. Unless an assignment explicitly permits it, these tools may not be used to generate or substantially revise solutions, proofs, prose, code, figures, or experimental results submitted for credit. Generative AI tools are not permitted during exams.

When AI use is permitted, disclose the tool and how it was used, verify the result, and remain responsible for everything submitted. Do not upload course materials, assessments, or another person’s data to a third-party AI service.

Course staff may review intermediate work, source history, explanations, and a student’s ability to discuss a submission. Automated AI-detection output will not be the sole basis for determining a violation. Unauthorized use will be handled under course and university academic-integrity procedures. See Purdue’s guidance on AI in teaching and learning.

Late/Absence Policies

Late work will be penalized 15% per day (24-hour period or fraction thereof). The penalty is based on possible points, not your actual score. Each assignment has a hard deadline five days after the published due date, after which no further submissions are accepted. The last day of class is also a hard deadline for all work.

You are allowed five extension days, to be used at your discretion throughout the semester (illness, job interviews, etc.); no penalty is assessed for late work within this limit. If your assignments add up to more than five days late over the semester, the late days will be applied to the highest-value assignments so that penalties apply to lower-value assignments first.

Late penalties will be applied at the end of the semester. You must keep track of late days yourself. Fractional use is not allowed, and extension days may not be used past an assignment’s hard deadline.

Students are expected to attend class and are responsible for material and work missed because of an absence. Attendance is not separately included in the course grade. When an absence can be anticipated, students should contact the instructor as far in advance as possible. For an emergency or unanticipated absence, contact the instructor as soon as possible.

Purdue recognizes excused absences for grief or bereavement, jury duty, military obligations, parenting leave, and qualifying emergent medical circumstances. Students should follow Purdue’s Class Attendance regulations and applicable Office of the Dean of Students procedures. Students with an approved excused absence will have a reasonable opportunity to make up missed graded work consistent with university rules.

Academic Integrity

Please read the departmental academic integrity policy. You should also be familiar with the Purdue University Code of Honor and Academic Integrity Guide for Students.

Interaction among students is encouraged, and you should feel free to discuss the course with one another. However, unless otherwise noted, the work that you turn in should reflect your own efforts and knowledge.

Other Issues and Resources

Nondiscrimination Statement: Purdue University is committed to maintaining a community that recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her potential. A hyperlink to Purdue’s full Nondiscrimination Policy Statement is included in the Academic Resources table on your Brightspace homepage.

Accommodations: Purdue University strives to make learning experiences accessible to all participants. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@purdue.edu or by phone: 765-494-1247, as soon as possible.

If the Disability Resource Center (DRC) has determined reasonable accommodations that you would like to utilize in my class, you must release your Course Accommodation Letter to me. Instructions on sharing your Course Accommodation Letter can be found by visiting: How To Use Your Course Accommodation Letter. Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to contact me as soon as possible to discuss implementation of your accommodation.

Mental Health/Wellness Statement: If you find yourself beginning to feel some stress, anxiety and/or feeling slightly overwhelmed, try Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), a web and app-based mental health resource available courtesy of Purdue Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). TAO is available to all students at any time by creating an account on the TAO Connect website, or downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play. It offers free, confidential well-being resources through a self-guided program informed by psychotherapy research and strategies that may aid in overcoming anxiety, depression and other concerns. It provides accessible and effective resources including short videos, brief exercises, and self-reflection tools.

If you need support and information about options and resources, please contact or see the Office of the Dean of Students. Call 765-494-1747. Hours of operation are M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you find yourself struggling to find a healthy balance between academics, social life, stress, etc., sign up for free one-on-one virtual or in-person sessions in West Lafayette with a Purdue Wellness Coach at RecWell. Student coaches can help you navigate through barriers and challenges toward your goals throughout the semester. Sign up is free and can be done on BoilerConnect. Students in Indianapolis will find support services curated on the Vice Provost for Student Life website.

If you’re struggling and need mental health services: Purdue University is committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of its students. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of mental health support, services are available. For help, such individuals should contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 765-494-6995 during and after hours, on weekends and holidays, or by going to the CAPS offices in West Lafayette or Indianapolis.

Emergency Preparedness: In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances beyond the instructor’s control. Relevant changes to this course will be posted onto the course website or can be obtained by contacting the instructors or TAs via email or phone. You are expected to read your @purdue.edu email on a frequent basis.

See Purdue’s Information on Emergency Preparation and Planning. This website covers topics such as Severe Weather Guidance, Emergency Plans, and a place to sign up for the Emergency Warning Notification System. I encourage you to download and review the Emergency Procedures Guide.

The first day of class, I will review the Emergency Preparedness plan for our specific classroom. Please make note of items like:

• The location to where we will proceed after evacuating the building if we hear a fire alarm.
• The location of our Shelter in Place in the event of a tornado warning.
• The location of our Shelter in Place in the event of an active threat such as a shooting.