The Computer Science department at the University of Southern Maine is offering several courses this fall focusing on in-demand technology fields like artificial intelligence, data mining, information retrieval, and image processing.
One course is COS 470(a) – Information Retrieval, which introduces modern search engines’ theories and implementation techniques. Students will develop their search engines using available information retrieval (IR) toolkits as part of the course. Topics covered include user interfaces for IR systems, search result evaluation, text processing, natural language processing, retrieval models like Boolean and vector space methods, probabilistic and learning-based approaches such as neural IR, and ethical dilemmas regarding using IR systems.
Students can also enroll in COS 470(b) – Image Processing and Computer Vision to delve into visual data analysis. The curriculum covers fundamental image processing concepts using the OpenCV library. From basic techniques to advanced computer vision tasks with Convolutional Neural Networks, students gain a comprehensive understanding. This hands-on course combines theory with real-world implementation for computer vision, AI, and image recognition.
Another offering is COS 472 – Artificial Intelligence, which introduces intelligent systems concepts and applications. Topics include heuristic search, pattern matching, rule-based systems, knowledge representation, machine learning, and data mining. Coursework involves regular labs, large projects, conducting AI research, and completing research.
“These cutting-edge fields drive innovation across industries,” said department chair Dr. James Quinlan. “Our courses equip students with vital skills for emerging career opportunities.”
Students can view course details and enroll now, as seats are expected to fill quickly. Early registration is recommended.