This course covers the components of information retrieval systems that are used to search within document collections that contain unstructured data. Information retrieval from text documents as well as documents containing rich media (such as images and video) is included in the course contents.

Course Objectives

To teach the fundamentals of information retrieval systems. To increase awareness to the differences between structured databases and unstructured data collections. To improve practical software design and implementation skills needed for processing large data collections.

Recommended or Required Reading

Search Engines: Information Retrieval in Practice by W. B. Croft, D. Metzler, and T. Strohman, 2010 ,Information Storage and Retrieval Systems by Kowalski G., Maybury M.T., 2000

Learning Outcomes

1. To be able to explain fundamental theoretical concepts of information retrieval

2. Identify and discuss the state-of-the-art information retrieval systems

3. Design and implement a complete information retrieval system

4. Analyze high performance software that can process very large scale data sets

Grading

Midterm 30%

Homework 10%

Research Presentation 30%

Final 30%