1. COMP7570 T02 – NEURAL NETWORKS
Project Guidelines
Prepare a report on one of the suggested topics listed below. Note that many of the topics
represent general areas; you must select a specific topic from within the general area, it is not
acceptable to hand in a report that deals with many topics at a superficial level. You may select
a topic that is not on this list but you must check with the instructor in advance. In preparing
your report, you must read at least three relevant research papers or books.
The report is to be prepared using a text-formatting system such as MS Word (handwritten or
typed reports will not be accepted). The format of the report must follow the standard format
used for research papers, that is, it must begin with an abstract that summarizes the report, an
introduction which describes the problem, one or more sections that describe the current status
of the research, and then a conclusions section which is followed by the references. There must
be a section heading for each section; subsections would be useful if there is a natural
subdivision of a section. The report is expected to be approximately 20-25 pages long and
printed with a 12-point font with 16-point to 18-point vertical spacing. Spelling errors are to be
eliminated using a spell-checker. Page numbers are to be printed on the report. If necessary,
diagrams may be xeroxed from the research papers but the source must be credited; diagrams
may be included on separate pages.
All sources that you use must be cited: any time that you refer to material contained in a research
paper or book (both direct quotations and paraphrases), include a citation to the publication.
The citation format in the body of your report is to be [Winston] or, if you refer to more than
one publication by the same author, [Winston 1984]. The complete reference to the publication
is in the References section using the following format:
[Winston] P.H. Winston, An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Second Edition, Addison-
Wesley, 1984.
Include in your bibliography only papers that you have read; do not include papers cited by the
papers you have read. You must include a copy (either printed or electronic) of each of the 3
major papers that you used for your report.
The report is to be handed in by the date assigned in class.
Neural Networks October, 2011
1

2. The reports are normally expected to consist of literature reviews. That is, the description of a
problem, the description of how a particular neural network solved the problem, an analysis of
the results, and an examination of how the results could be improved/extended, etc.
Staple the enclosed evaluation sheet on top of the report. It is not necessary to hand in the report
in a folder. The grade assigned for the report will be based on the presentation of the report
(spelling, word choice, clarity, etc.), the organization of the report, the depth of the report, and
your contribution to the report. The reports will not be returned.
Note: If the material in the report has been or will be used to fulfill the requirements of another
course, or a thesis, or research, a statement to this effect must be included at the
beginning of the paper. Failure to do so will result in academic penalties.
The following publications provide a good starting point for the report topics:
IJCNN: International Joint Conference on Neural Networks
Neural Networks
Neural Computation
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing
Artificial Intelligence, Science Library
Cognitive Science, Dafoe Library
ACM SIGART Newsletter, Science Library
Other IEEE and ACM publications
Specialty journals such as AI in Medicine are recommended
Seminars:
The seminar is to consist of a short (approximately 10 minutes) presentation of your research
topic and should include a sample system that is the focus of the seminar. The seminar material
is to be presented using PowerPoint (or a pdf version of your PowerPoint presentation displayed
in pdf full-screen mode).
The schedule for the seminars will be posted.
Neural Networks October, 2011
2

3. TOPICS
Literature Review
• physiological modelling (e.g. modelling motor neurons in the spinal cord)
• representation of time in neural nets
• in-depth examination of a network model not covered in class (e.g. SOM, PNN, Art)
• traveling salesman problem and its solution using neural networks
• genetic algorithms and their use in the development of neural networks
• use of neural networks in signal processing
• use of neural networks in control systems
• use of neural networks in image processing
• improvements to backpropagation algorithm
• neural networks that use reinforcement learning
• use of neural networks in the more general context of machine learning
• use of neural networks in speech understanding or speech generation
• neural networks and diagnosis (e.g. psychiatric diagnosis using the DSM)
• neural networks and decision making (e.g. financial decisions)
• neural networks and expert systems (integration of the two approaches)
• integration of neural networks and fuzzy logic
• modular (ensemble) neural networks
• deep learning in neural networks (see Hinton, Deep Belief Networks)
System Development
Normally, the research report will not involve any network development. If you are considering
a project that involves any implementation, you are to discuss this with the instructor before
beginning.
Neural Networks October, 2011
3

4. COMP7570 T02 – NEURAL NETWORKS
REPORT EVALUATION
Name:
Student Number:
Report Title:
Pages:
Presentation: E VG G A P VP
Organization: E VG G A P VP
Depth: E VG G A P VP
Originality: E VG G A P VP
Grade: A+ A B+ B C+ C D F
Neural Networks October, 2011
4

5. COMP7570 T02 – NEURAL NETWORKS
Project Guidelines
Prepare a report on one of the suggested topics listed below. Note that many of the topics
represent general areas; you must select a specific topic from within the general area, it is not
acceptable to hand in a report that deals with many topics at a superficial level. You may select
a topic that is not on this list but you must check with the instructor in advance. In preparing
your report, you must read at least three relevant research papers or books.
The report is to be prepared using a text-formatting system such as MS Word (handwritten or
typed reports will not be accepted). The format of the report must follow the standard format
used for research papers, that is, it must begin with an abstract that summarizes the report, an
introduction which describes the problem, one or more sections that describe the current status
of the research, and then a conclusions section which is followed by the references. There must
be a section heading for each section; subsections would be useful if there is a natural
subdivision of a section. The report is expected to be approximately 20-25 pages long and
printed with a 12-point font with 16-point to 18-point vertical spacing. Spelling errors are to be
eliminated using a spell-checker. Page numbers are to be printed on the report. If necessary,
diagrams may be xeroxed from the research papers but the source must be credited; diagrams
may be included on separate pages.
All sources that you use must be cited: any time that you refer to material contained in a research
paper or book (both direct quotations and paraphrases), include a citation to the publication.
The citation format in the body of your report is to be [Winston] or, if you refer to more than
one publication by the same author, [Winston 1984]. The complete reference to the publication
is in the References section using the following format:
[Winston] P.H. Winston, An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Second Edition, Addison-
Wesley, 1984.
Include in your bibliography only papers that you have read; do not include papers cited by the
papers you have read. You must include a copy (either printed or electronic) of each of the 3
major papers that you used for your report.
The report is to be handed in by the date assigned in class.
Neural Networks October, 2011
1

6. The reports are normally expected to consist of literature reviews. That is, the description of a
problem, the description of how a particular neural network solved the problem, an analysis of
the results, and an examination of how the results could be improved/extended, etc.
Staple the enclosed evaluation sheet on top of the report. It is not necessary to hand in the report
in a folder. The grade assigned for the report will be based on the presentation of the report
(spelling, word choice, clarity, etc.), the organization of the report, the depth of the report, and
your contribution to the report. The reports will not be returned.
Note: If the material in the report has been or will be used to fulfill the requirements of another
course, or a thesis, or research, a statement to this effect must be included at the
beginning of the paper. Failure to do so will result in academic penalties.
The following publications provide a good starting point for the report topics:
IJCNN: International Joint Conference on Neural Networks
Neural Networks
Neural Computation
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing
Artificial Intelligence, Science Library
Cognitive Science, Dafoe Library
ACM SIGART Newsletter, Science Library
Other IEEE and ACM publications
Specialty journals such as AI in Medicine are recommended
Seminars:
The seminar is to consist of a short (approximately 10 minutes) presentation of your research
topic and should include a sample system that is the focus of the seminar. The seminar material
is to be presented using PowerPoint (or a pdf version of your PowerPoint presentation displayed
in pdf full-screen mode).
The schedule for the seminars will be posted.
Neural Networks October, 2011
2

7. TOPICS
Literature Review
• physiological modelling (e.g. modelling motor neurons in the spinal cord)
• representation of time in neural nets
• in-depth examination of a network model not covered in class (e.g. SOM, PNN, Art)
• traveling salesman problem and its solution using neural networks
• genetic algorithms and their use in the development of neural networks
• use of neural networks in signal processing
• use of neural networks in control systems
• use of neural networks in image processing
• improvements to backpropagation algorithm
• neural networks that use reinforcement learning
• use of neural networks in the more general context of machine learning
• use of neural networks in speech understanding or speech generation
• neural networks and diagnosis (e.g. psychiatric diagnosis using the DSM)
• neural networks and decision making (e.g. financial decisions)
• neural networks and expert systems (integration of the two approaches)
• integration of neural networks and fuzzy logic
• modular (ensemble) neural networks
• deep learning in neural networks (see Hinton, Deep Belief Networks)
System Development
Normally, the research report will not involve any network development. If you are considering
a project that involves any implementation, you are to discuss this with the instructor before
beginning.
Neural Networks October, 2011
3

8. COMP7570 T02 – NEURAL NETWORKS
REPORT EVALUATION
Name:
Student Number:
Report Title:
Pages:
Presentation: E VG G A P VP
Organization: E VG G A P VP
Depth: E VG G A P VP
Originality: E VG G A P VP
Grade: A+ A B+ B C+ C D F
Neural Networks October, 2011
4

9. COMP7570 T02 – NEURAL NETWORKS
Project Guidelines
Prepare a report on one of the suggested topics listed below. Note that many of the topics
represent general areas; you must select a specific topic from within the general area, it is not
acceptable to hand in a report that deals with many topics at a superficial level. You may select
a topic that is not on this list but you must check with the instructor in advance. In preparing
your report, you must read at least three relevant research papers or books.
The report is to be prepared using a text-formatting system such as MS Word (handwritten or
typed reports will not be accepted). The format of the report must follow the standard format
used for research papers, that is, it must begin with an abstract that summarizes the report, an
introduction which describes the problem, one or more sections that describe the current status
of the research, and then a conclusions section which is followed by the references. There must
be a section heading for each section; subsections would be useful if there is a natural
subdivision of a section. The report is expected to be approximately 20-25 pages long and
printed with a 12-point font with 16-point to 18-point vertical spacing. Spelling errors are to be
eliminated using a spell-checker. Page numbers are to be printed on the report. If necessary,
diagrams may be xeroxed from the research papers but the source must be credited; diagrams
may be included on separate pages.
All sources that you use must be cited: any time that you refer to material contained in a research
paper or book (both direct quotations and paraphrases), include a citation to the publication.
The citation format in the body of your report is to be [Winston] or, if you refer to more than
one publication by the same author, [Winston 1984]. The complete reference to the publication
is in the References section using the following format:
[Winston] P.H. Winston, An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Second Edition, Addison-
Wesley, 1984.
Include in your bibliography only papers that you have read; do not include papers cited by the
papers you have read. You must include a copy (either printed or electronic) of each of the 3
major papers that you used for your report.
The report is to be handed in by the date assigned in class.
Neural Networks October, 2011
1

10. The reports are normally expected to consist of literature reviews. That is, the description of a
problem, the description of how a particular neural network solved the problem, an analysis of
the results, and an examination of how the results could be improved/extended, etc.
Staple the enclosed evaluation sheet on top of the report. It is not necessary to hand in the report
in a folder. The grade assigned for the report will be based on the presentation of the report
(spelling, word choice, clarity, etc.), the organization of the report, the depth of the report, and
your contribution to the report. The reports will not be returned.
Note: If the material in the report has been or will be used to fulfill the requirements of another
course, or a thesis, or research, a statement to this effect must be included at the
beginning of the paper. Failure to do so will result in academic penalties.
The following publications provide a good starting point for the report topics:
IJCNN: International Joint Conference on Neural Networks
Neural Networks
Neural Computation
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing
Artificial Intelligence, Science Library
Cognitive Science, Dafoe Library
ACM SIGART Newsletter, Science Library
Other IEEE and ACM publications
Specialty journals such as AI in Medicine are recommended
Seminars:
The seminar is to consist of a short (approximately 10 minutes) presentation of your research
topic and should include a sample system that is the focus of the seminar. The seminar material
is to be presented using PowerPoint (or a pdf version of your PowerPoint presentation displayed
in pdf full-screen mode).
The schedule for the seminars will be posted.
Neural Networks October, 2011
2

11. TOPICS
Literature Review
• physiological modelling (e.g. modelling motor neurons in the spinal cord)
• representation of time in neural nets
• in-depth examination of a network model not covered in class (e.g. SOM, PNN, Art)
• traveling salesman problem and its solution using neural networks
• genetic algorithms and their use in the development of neural networks
• use of neural networks in signal processing
• use of neural networks in control systems
• use of neural networks in image processing
• improvements to backpropagation algorithm
• neural networks that use reinforcement learning
• use of neural networks in the more general context of machine learning
• use of neural networks in speech understanding or speech generation
• neural networks and diagnosis (e.g. psychiatric diagnosis using the DSM)
• neural networks and decision making (e.g. financial decisions)
• neural networks and expert systems (integration of the two approaches)
• integration of neural networks and fuzzy logic
• modular (ensemble) neural networks
• deep learning in neural networks (see Hinton, Deep Belief Networks)
System Development
Normally, the research report will not involve any network development. If you are considering
a project that involves any implementation, you are to discuss this with the instructor before
beginning.
Neural Networks October, 2011
3

12. COMP7570 T02 – NEURAL NETWORKS
REPORT EVALUATION
Name:
Student Number:
Report Title:
Pages:
Presentation: E VG G A P VP
Organization: E VG G A P VP
Depth: E VG G A P VP
Originality: E VG G A P VP
Grade: A+ A B+ B C+ C D F
Neural Networks October, 2011
4