2024-2025 / INFO9014-1

Knowledge representation and reasoning

Duration

24h Th, 20h Pr, 45h Proj.

Number of credits

 Master MSc. in Computer Science, professional focus in computer systems security5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Data Science, professional focus5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Data Science and Engineering, professional focus5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Computer Science and Engineering, professional focus in management5 crédits 
 Master Msc. in computer science and engineering, professional focus in intelligent systems5 crédits 
 Master Msc. in computer science and engineering, professional focus in intelligent systems (double diplômation avec HEC)5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Computer Science, professional focus in management5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Computer Science and Engineering, professional focus in computer systems and networks5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Computer Science, professional focus in intelligent systems5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Computer Science, professional focus in intelligent systems (double diplômation avec HEC)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Christophe Debruyne

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course provides an overview of the knowledge representation and reasoning applied to knowledge graphs and Linked Data. Topics include graph data models, modeling languages, reasoning, graph query languages, and declarative approaches to semantically integrating heterogeneous data sources. The following topics will be covered:

  • Introduction to Ontologies, Knowledge Graphs, and Open Information Systems
  • The RDF graph data model
  • KR and Reasoning: RDF(S)
  • KR and Reasoning: Description Logics
  • KR and Reasoning: Web Ontology Language
  • Querying RDF
  • Knowledge Graph Construction with R2RML and RML
  • Rule-based Reasoning
  • Data modeling and validation with SHACL
  • Evaluating and validating ontologies and knowledge graphs
  • Linked Data and its role in enterprises
  • Metadata and provenance information

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

After passing this course, the student understands the main concepts of knowledge graphs, semantics, meaningful and declarative data integration, and how Linked Data and knowledge graph technologies enable semantic interoperability (within and between organizations).

The student can understand and evaluate developments and technologies in the field of knowledge representation and reasoning (both existing and new) and will be able to independently study and master them.

The student can integrate information from various sources and build applications using Linked Data and knowledge graph technologies.

The student can make informed decisions on how to best represent and use information with Linked Data and knowledge graph technologies. The student can express those both in written and oral form. 

This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, IV.1, VI.1, VI.2, VII.1, VII.3, VII.4, VII.5 of the MSc in computer science and engineering.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

While there are no prerequisite courses required, the following skills will be useful:

  • Some programming experience
  • Some modeling experience (ER, ERD, UML, ORM,...)
Students must be familiar with formal logic (propositional and/or first-order logic). 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

  • Ex-cathedra lectures given by the lecturer will cover various topics.
  • The lab sessions will be used to gain hands-on experience on the material via small exercises (mostly at the beginning of the semester and at the beginning of a session) and discuss (in a classroom setting) the project.
  • In groups of three, students will carry out a project in which they will need to apply the material covered in class.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Ex-cathedra courses and some key practicals are (or will be) made available as recordings. Course material will be made available on eCampus. The eCampus environment will furthermore be used for communication.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

The slides supporting the ex-cathedra lessons cover most of the course. The slides are thus mandatory.

Highly recommended are the links to open standards (specifications) and papers shared on eCampus. Consulting those will be necessary to gain a deeper understanding of topics and deliver the project.

Recommended reading:

Staab, S. and Studer, R. (eds.): Handbook on Ontologies  (2nd edition), Springer, 2009.

  • This handbook approaches some topics from a practical point of view and contains useful exercises.
Hitzler, P., Krotzsch, M. and Rudolph, S.: Foundations of Semantic Web Technologies, Chapman & Hall/CRC Press, 2010.

  • This book covers topics such as ontology evaluation and Description Logics. This book may be useful for students exploring these aspects in their projects.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report

Other : Presentation


Further information:

  • Project: software artifacts and project report (group) 50%
  • Project: presentation and defense of the project (group) 10%
  • Oral exam (individual) 40%
Students will carry out a project in groups of 3 students. Each student of a group will be awarded the same grade for the project deliverables (unless a student demonstrates underperforming or outperforming during the project).

For the project's presentation, students will be awarded a grade for the overall presentation which will be adjusted to each student's performance which can deviate at most 2 points from that grade (unless a student clearly underperforms or outperforms during the presentation). Students will evaluate each other's contributions via peer assessment.

The oral exam will consist of questions on the course material and the project.

The same modalities are used for the second session. Students who have not obtained a 10/20 for the project and/or presentation may resubmit revised deliverables.

The project and presentation are mandatory learning activities. Students who do not participate in these activities will receive an absence grade (A) for the course.

The final grade will be determined using a weighted average of all evaluations. However, to be eligible for the weighted average calculation, students must attain a minimum grade of 8/20 on each assessment. Otherwise, the student's lowest assessment grade will be used as their final grade for the course.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course is organized in English. All material will be made available on eCampus. This includes the project description with information on deadlines, milestones, etc.

Contacts

  • Lecturer: Christophe Debruyne

Association of one or more MOOCs