CSMFAI: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence

Module code: CSMFAI

Module provider: Computer Science; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Lily Sun , email: lily.sun@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 11 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of the module is to introduce students to fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and tools widely used; establish awareness of AI methods, such as machine learning (ML) covering supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning. Students will learn how to apply these AI tools to develop solutions in real-life problem contexts.

This module also fosters the development of transferable and professional skills, such as critical thinking, formulating research problems, teamwork, technical report writing, self-reflection, and appropriate, effective, and ethical use of Generative AI technologies to enhance learning.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Understand the key concepts of modern artificial intelligence (AI) and its features;
2. Discuss and differentiate wide variety of AI methods and techniques;
3. Critically evaluate and practice a range of AI features and concepts, tools and frameworks for developing AI-driven solutions;
4. Apply the learned concepts in AI, tools and frameworks to solve real-life problems; and
5. Demonstrate the abilities in formulating research problems, writing technical reports and utilising knowledge and skills to continue learning and adapting to new data science technologies.

Module content

The module covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

• Understanding AI
• Overview of the evolution of AI, from early concepts to modern advancements
• Types of AI - Narrow AI vs. General AI

• Overview of Key Concepts in AI
  • Machine Learning (ML) from data
  • Types of ML for Supervised, Unsupervised, and Reinforcement learning
  • Deep Learning with neural networks and how they mimic human brain processes
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) to assist machines in understanding and interpreting human language
  • Computer Vision to enable AI processing and analysing visual data

3. AI Technologies and Tools

• Data: The role of data in AI, including structured and unstructured data.
• Algorithms: Overview of common algorithms used in AI (e.g., decision trees, neural networks, clustering).
• AI Tools and Frameworks: Introduction to popular AI tools, e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-learn.

4.  Future Trends in AI

• Emerging Technologies: Overview of the latest trends in AI, including explainable AI and AI ethics.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module consists of 2-hour lectures and 2-hour practical/tutorial sessions per week. The lectures will introduce students the theories, concepts and underpinning principles specified in the indicative content while the supervised practical sessions will guide them to develop thorough understanding in implementing AI algorithms for variety of different tasks. The formal lecture and practical sessions will enable students to apply the fundamentals of AI techniques to solve a given problem, by demonstrating using analysis and AI tools, and report writing. Moreover, these sessions will be supplemented with several forms of digital resources to support learning. The summative assessment consists of one piece of individually written coursework assignment which requires every student to demonstrate his/her achievement in developing a small-scale AI solution. 

Study hours

At least 48 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Level 3 (i.e. foundation modules for Part 0) and Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Each topic in a week has defined learning tasks which will enable students to self-reflect on the learning.   

Outcomes of the formative assessment for each topic may be given in the guidance tutorial notes, online tests feedback.  

Reassessment

Additional costs