Foundations of Multi-Agent Systems

Course manual 2023/2024

Course content

The field of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) studies the interactions of several autonomous agents. The agents can be human or artificial, and their interactions can be of a cooperative or competitive nature. The behavior of the agents may be influenced by the information available to them, their mutual relationships, as well as their individual goals and preferences.

In this course, we will see how to represent in a formal way the interactions of the agents in different MAS settings. Among the topics covered by the course there will be the fundamentals of game theory and social choice theory, matching markets, auctions, logics for multi-agent systems, and simulations.

Study materials

Literature

• Yoav Shoham and Kevin Leyton-Brown, 'Multiagent Systems. Algorithmic, Game-Theoretic, and Logical Foundations'.
  Cambridge University Press, 2009. (E-version available from http://www.masfoundations.org/download.html).

Other

• Additional materials and slides will be posted online after each lecture.

Objectives

• Student can explain fundamental research topics in Multi-Agent Systems
• Use theoretical and applied tools to model and solve problems for Multi-Agent Systems

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Self-study
• Computer lab session/practical training

The course consists of lectures and exercise classes with teaching assistants.
The students are also expected to work on their own to deepen their knowledge (homeworks).

Learning activities

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• For practical trainings and tutorials with assignments attendance is obligatory. The requirements for attendance might differ between courses and are stated in the course manual. When students do not meet the requirements for attendance, he or she cannot finish the course with a pass mark.
  

Assessment

Students have to hand in the answers to two homework assignments (typed and submitted electronically), each will contribute to 15% of the final grade.

Students will give an oral presentation that will contribute to 10% of the final grade. This is mandatory.

Students may want to present a project, that will contribute to 10% of the final grade. This is not mandatory.

A final exam will contribute to the remaining 50%.
IMPORTANT: in order to pass the course, the student should get an approval grade (greater or equal to 5) as an average of both homeworks, and an approval grade (greater or equal to 5) in the final exam.

Inspection of assessed work

The manner of inspection will be communicated via the digitial learning environment.

Assignments

Homeworks

• A set of exercises will be given for the first three weeks, and the students should submit their solutions in groups of up to two persons. Solutions must be typed up professionally and submitted as a PDF file via Canvas. Solutions must be correct, but they also should be short and understandable. Assignments will be graded and will contribute to 30% of the final grade for the course.

Presentation

• An oral presentation of a given scientific paper will be done by groups of three persons. This will contribute to the 10% of the final grade

Project

• A course related project where the students show their creativity. It can be done in groups of three. It is not mandatory. It represents the 10% of the final grade

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

• The course will be taught in English.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. F. Fioravanti

Staff

• M.J. Meijer BSc
• Minke Verweij