Course detail

Bio-Inspired Computers

FIT-BINAcad. year: 2018/2019

This course introduces computational models and computers which have appeared at the intersection of hardware and artificial intelligence in the recent years as an attempt to solve traditionally hard computational problems. The course surveys relevant theoretical models, reconfigurable architectures and computational intelligence techniques inspired at the levels of phylogeny, ontogeny and epigenesis. In particular, the following topics will be discussed: evolutionary design, evolvable hardware, cellular systems, embryonal and neural hardware, molecular computers and nanotechnology. Typical applications will illustrate the mentioned approaches.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students will be able to utilize evolutionary algorithms to design electronic circuits. They will be able to model, simulate and implement non-conventional, in particular bio-inspired, computational systems.
Understanding the relation between computers (computing) and some natural processes.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Not applicable.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Mid-term exam, project and its presentation, computer lab assignments. 
Exam prerequisites:
None

Course curriculum

Not applicable.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

To understand the principles of bio-inspired computational systems. To be able to use the bio-inspired techniques in the phase of design, implementation and runtime of a computational device.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Mid-term exam, realization and presentation of the project, computer lab assignments in due dates. In the case of a reported barrier preventing the student to defend the project or solve a lab assignment, the student will be allowed to defend the project or solve the lab assignment on an alternative date.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Sekanina L., Vašíček Z., Růžička R., Bidlo M., Jaroš J., Švenda P.: Evoluční hardware: Od automatického generování patentovatelných invencí k sebemodifikujícím se strojům. Academia Praha 2009, ISBN 978-80-200-1729-1
Floreano D., Mattiussi C.: Bioinspired Artificial Intelligence: Theories, Methods, and Technologies. The MIT Press, Cambridge 2008, ISBN 978-0-262-06271-8
Trefzer M., Tyrrell A.M.: Evolvable Hardware - From Practice to Application. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 2015, ISBN 978-3-662-44615-7
Miller J.F.: Cartesian Genetic Programming, Springer Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-642-17309-7
Rozenberg G., Bäck T., Kok J.N.: Handbook of Natural Computing, Springer 2012, 2052 p., ISBN 978-3540929093

Recommended reading

Kvasnička, V., Pospíchal J., Tiňo P.: Evolučné algoritmy. Vydavatelství STU Bratislava, 2000, 215 s., ISBN 80-227-1377-5
Mařík et al.: Umělá inteligence IV, Academia, 2003, 480 s., ISBN 80-200-1044-0

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme IT-MGR-2 Master's

    branch MPV , any year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MGM , any year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch MSK , any year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch MIS , any year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch MBS , any year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch MIN , any year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MMM , any year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MBI , 1. year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

  1. Introduction, inspiration in biology, entropy and self-organization
  2. Limits of abstract and physical computing
  3. Evolutionary design
  4. Cartesian genetic programming
  5. Reconfigurable computing devices
  6. Evolutionary design of digital circuits
  7. Evolutionary circuit design, extreme environments
  8. Evolvable hardware, applications
  9. Computational development
  10. Neural hardware
  11. DNA computing
  12. Nanotechnology and molecular electronics
  13. Recent trends

Exercise in computer lab

8 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

  1. Evolutionary design of combinational circuits
  2. Statistical evaluation of experiments with evolutionary design
  3. Virtual reconfigurable circuits
  4. Celulární automaty