Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

CS 123 Syllabus for Fall 2025

 

CS 123 Syllabus

Class  Instructor 
Course NumberCS 123 NameBrian Bird
CRNHybrid (on campus) 21403
Online 21028
 E-mailbirdb@lanecc.edu
Day & TimeTu, Th 2:003:50 Office HoursM and W 2:002:50
Tu and Th 4:004:50
RoomBuilding 19, Room 128
Zoom meeting
 RoomBuilding 19, Room 152
Zoom meeting

Table of Contents

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the field of Artificial Intelligence. Students will learn what AI is and how machine learning works. There will be a focus on generative AI and its practical applications in the workplace such as prompt engineering and creating custom chatbots. The risks and dangers of AI will be explored along with the potential benefits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain what AI is.

  2. Discuss the potential dangers and benefits of AI to society.

  3. Describe how neural networks are used in deep machine learning.

  4. Decide what uses of AI are appropriate in education and work settings.

  5. Use prompt engineering to get more effective results from generative AI.

  6. Create a custom chatbot.

 

Online Resources

Course Materials

There is no textbook for this class. In place of a textbook you will read online tutorials and chapters in the free online course, Elements of AI, a high-quality course provided by the The University of Helsinki.

Learning Management System

Moodle is the Learning Management System (LMS) used for this course; LCC’s Moodle site is at: classes.lanecc.edu.

 

Software

All of the software required for this class is free. You can use any operating system: Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.

Software Required for Course Work

See the Getting Started Guide for a list of the software needed for this class.

You will need to download and install any software you don't already have on your computer. The software has

already been installed on the computers in the classroom and in the CIT computer lab.

Free and Discounted Software for Students

None of the software provided in these offers is required for this class, but you may want to take advantage of the free and discounted software offers.

 

Computer Lab and Tutoring

CIT Computer Lab and In-Person Tutoring

The CIT Main lab (Building 19, room 135) is equipped with computers and software which are available exclusively for students in the CIT department. There are tutors available in the lab to help you with your lab work. The schedule for when the lab will be open and when in-person tutors are available is TBD.

Online Tutoring

See the LCC Tutoring Services web page for information.

 

Assessment and Grading

Points for Each Graded Activity

The table below summarizes the possible points for each assessment task as well as the course as a whole:

Assessment TasksNumberEachTotal
Exercises630180
Quizzes920180
Participation1010100
Projects6Variable240
Midterm and Final Quizzes2Midterm: 100, Final: 200300
Course Total  1000

Grade Scale

Letter grades for the course will be determined by the following percentages:

 + -
A100 to 9897 to 9291 to 90
B89 to 8887 to 8281 to 80
C79 to 7877 to 7271 to 70
D69 to 6867 to 6261 to 60
FBelow 60  

Quizzes

Weekly (except midterm an final quiz weeks) quizzes are given that cover learning material for that week. These quizzes are "open book".

Participation

Participation is assessed differently depending on whether you are taking the class online, on Zoom or in person.

Team Projects

You will work together with your team to either make a presentation or create an AI solution. Each team member will have a specific part to contribute and will be individually graded.

Midterm and Final Quizzes

The midterm and final quizzes are given in weeks 4 and 8. See Moodle for exact dates and times. Quizzes are "closed book", but students may prepare a 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of notes to refer to during the quiz. These quizzes may be taken either:

Students who live outside the Eugene/Springfield area can send an email to online@lanecc.edu well in advance of the test dates to arrange for your midterm and final to be proctored at a location near you.

Academic Honesty

While students are encouraged to discuss assignments and to use each other as resources, each student is responsible for his/her own work. In other words you can help each other, but you can’t copy any part of someone else’s work. The end product must be each student’s own individual work.

Use of AI

Generative AI tools such as GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT are useful resources and you are encouraged to use them, but don't use them to give you quiz answers or do your assignments for you. Use them to help you learn, to come up with ideas, or for drafts of text you write.

Attendance

See the participation and attendance section under Assessment and Grading for grading criteria.

No Show Drop

The college’s “no show, drop” policy requires that: during the first week students must complete at least one activity (a quiz or assignment) otherwise the student will be dropped from the class.

Late Work

Accessibility and Campus Navigation

Center for Accessible Resources

Lane Community College (LCC) is dedicated to providing inclusive learning environments. The Center for Accessible Resources (CAR) coordinates all academic accommodations for students at LCC. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers due to a disability, to request assistance or accommodations, contact the Center for Accessible Resources.

In-Person Services: Monday and Thursday, 9:00am - 12:30 and 1:30pm - 3:00pm. Location: Main Campus, Building 19, Room 263A

Remote Support through Support Hub: Monday - Thursday 9:00am12:30 and 1:30pm3:00pm. Enter the Support Hub by going to lanecc.edu/hub. Wait for a Lane staff to let you into the Zoom.

Phone: Voice, (541) 463-5150 TTY: 711, MondayFriday 9:00am12:30pm and 1:30pm3:00pm. Email: AccessibleResources@lanecc.edu

For upcoming closures, please visit the Center for Accessible Resources webpage

Campus Location and Maps

Schedules

Academic Calendar for Fall Term 2025

EventDate 
Fall term classes begin9/29Monday
Last day to receive refund10/6Monday
Veteran’s Daycollege closed11/11Tuesday
Last day for schedule changes11/21Friday
Thanksgiving Vacation – college closed11/2711/30Thursday, Friday
Final exam12/9Tuesday

View academic calendars on the LCC web site.

Course Schedule

(Tentative, may be subject to change)

WeekTopicsActivities
1
9/29
Intro to the course
Overview of AI
Introduce Yourself Survey

Join a Team
Essentials of AI Ch. 1 exercises
Quiz
2
10/6
AI Problem SolvingEssentials of AI Ch. 2 exercises
Project: Applications of AI
Quiz
3
10/13
Real-World AIEssentials of AI Ch. 3 exercises
Quiz
4
10/20
Machine LearningElements of AI Ch. 4 exercises
Quiz
5
10/27
History of AI and MidtermTBD
Midterm quiz:
- In the classroom on 10/30
- In the testing center 10/3011/1
6
11/3
Neural Netowrks and Deep LearningElements of AI Ch. 5 exercises
Quiz
7
11/10
Generative AITBD
Quiz
8
11/17
Prompt engineeringTBD
Project: prompt engineering
Quiz
9
11/24
Custom GPT chatbotsTBD
Project: Custom chat-bot
Quiz
10
12/1
Social and ethical issues of AIElements of AI Ch. 6 exercises
Quiz
11
12/8
FinalFinal quiz:
- In the classroom on 12/9
- In the testing center 12/912/11

Go back to the top