MBIB4230 Information Retrieval Course description

This course deals with theories, methods and models for constructing, using and evaluating automatic information retrieval systems. This includes input from linguistics, mathematics, statistics and information theory.

• statistic and semantic based methods for document description and retrieavl
• automatic classification and categorization
• seach behaviour and how to construct systems for real users
• new methods/mediums/arenas for information retrieval, such as image and multimedia retrieval, retrieval of multilingual material etc.

The course presupposes knowledge from the bachelor courses BIB3210/BIB3220/BIB3230.

Knowledge

After completion of the course, the student has

• advanced knowledge of the theoretical fundaments for a variety of models for automatic information retrieval, and how the models can be realized with various algorithms
• advanced knowlege of user oriented views on information retrieval, both cognitive and social views, and their consequences for user interface, relevance judgements and interactivity in the retrieval process
• advanced knowledge of linked data and other semantic tools used to structure and make data available, and how to utilize such data
• thoroughly knowledge of practical experiments for evaluating information retrieval systems and models
• advanced knowledge of computational linguistics for analyzing grammar and semantics, and how this can be used in automatic information retrieval system

Skills

After completion of the course, the student can

• participate in, and have practical experience with the development and implementing of user friendly information retrieval systems and modules
• evaluate such systems in order to obtain and use them

Lectures, tasks and seminars. This includes presentation of a term paper, made individually or in groups, for discussion. Teaching will be in English when there are foreign exchange students present.

None.

The assessment has two parts: a term paper and an individual six-hour school examination. The term paper can be made individually (ca. 15 pages) or in gruoups with 2-3 students (ca. 20 pages).

The two parts get separate marks. The term paper counts for 40 percent and the school examination counts for 60 percent of the total and final mark. The student must pass both parts to pass the course.

Students who have failed a regular examination are entitled to sit a new examination in the part(s) they have failed. If the term paper fails, the whole group need to sit the new examination.

For examination under surveillance, syllabus texts and individual notes can be used.

Letter grading A-F.

An internal and an external examiner make the assessment.

Marit Kristine Ådland