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LBSC 796/INFM 718R
Information Retrieval Systems
Spring 2011
Course Description

Catalog Description

Principles of organizing and providing access to information using automated information storage and retrieval systems. Retrieval system models, index language selection, data structures, user interfaces and evaluation for text and multimedia applications.

Requirements

INFM 718R satisfies the advanced technology course requirement for the MIM program. MIM students must have completed (or waived) INFM 603, and they must have either completed, waived, or be concurrently registered for INFM 600 and INFM 605.

MLS students must have completed (or waived) LBSC 690, and must have completed, waived, or be concurrently registered for the other three coure courses in their program (LBSC 650, LBSC 670, and the appropriate information use course for their program).

This course is not cross-listed in Computer Science, and it does not meet the Computer Science qualifying exam requirement. Computer Science students wishing to register for this course as an elective should contact the instructor.

Students enrolled in other programs (including iSchool Ph.D. students) should consult with the instructor to determine whether their academic preparation is appropriate for this course.

Goals

Approach

We will develop a general model for information retrieval systems in class, and will then use readings and class discussions to explore how that model can be used as a basis for understanding the design of information retrieval systems for a variety of applications. Homework assignments will be used to explore individual techniques in greater detail. Students will complete a term project in which they will solve a real information retrieval problem with the goal of developing a better understanding of implementation and evaluation issues.

Contact Information

  Instructor Technology Assistant
Name Doug Oard TBA
Email oard@umd.edu TBA
Office HBK 4121G/AVW 3145  
Phone (301)405-7590  
I am available by appointment to discuss material from class, the readings, homework assignments, the project, etc. Email is the best way to reach me to set up an appointment, and it is also a good way to get a quick answer to a simple question. Contact the technology assistant during class or by email at least two weeks in advance if you have special system configuration requirements for your term project presentation.

Schedule

Day Time (P.M.)Activity Room
Wednesday5:00-5:45 Office HoursHBK 4121G
Wednesday6:00-8:45 Class PLS 1129

A syllabus that summarizes what we will cover each week can be found on the class Web site. There are no scheduled lab sessions. Students wishing to discuss accommodations for unusual circumstances should come see me before the third class session.

Course Materials

The class Web site at http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/~oard/teaching/796/spring11/ contains the most recent version of all material produced for this course. Among other things, this course description, the syllabus, the reading list, lecture notes and homework assignments can be found there.

Textbook and supplemental reading assignments for each week can be found on the syllabus. The principal text for this course (referred to below as "MRS" for the authors' initials) is Christopher D. Manning, Prabhakar Raghavan and Heinrich Schuetze, An Introduction to Information Retrieval, which is available on the Web in HTML and PDF. If you get this on the Web, be sure you have the final version (dates April 1, 2009). This book is also available in print should you wish to order it by Amazon. It has not been ordered by the bookstore (to prevent unnecessary returns if you all get it from the Web!).

Students are encouraged to use the course mailing list to share information that would be of genral interest, to describe their project interests when seeking potential partners, or for any other purpose that seems reasonable. Mail sent to that address will reach the instructor and all students. If you have not received a message from the mailing list yet, please contact the instructor to make sure that your correct address is included.

When possible, lectures will be recorded and made available online using Panopto. This system has not been used previously in our classroom, so we may have a few teeting pains. Please don't count on the availability of the video until it has been demonstrated!

Grading

Course grades wil be assigned based on homework, a term project, and an in-class final examination. With the exception noted below, scores on each component will be combined to produce a single overall score for each student as follows:
Component Portion of Grade
Homework 20%
Project 50%
Final Exam 30%

The homework assignments are designed to provide an opportunity for students to explore specific topics in a structured way. Students may work together on the homework assignments, but all of the material that is turned in for grading must be produced individually. For example, students may form study groups and work out homework solutions together on a chalkboard or by each working separately on different terminals and then sharing what they have learned, but it would not be permissible for one student to prepare an answer set and then for other students to copy those answers and submit it as their own work.

A term project will be completed by the end of the semester. Students may work individually or in groups. Additional details are provided on the project plan Web page.

Doug Oard
Last modified: Jan 15 2011