CS 430
Information Discovery
Fall 2001

Professor William Y. Arms

Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:20 to 1:10 pm Olin 155
Discussion class: Wednesday 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hollister Hall 110

3 Credit Hours


Check the Notices file regularly for information about schedule, assignments, etc.


Course Description

This course looks at the methods used to search for and discover information in digital libraries and web information systems. Methods that are covered include information retrieval, which includes techniques for searching, browsing and filtering information, descriptive metadata, the use of classification systems and thesauruses, and web search systems.

Basic Information

To communicate with the course team, please send email to the entire team: 

        cs430@cs.cornell.edu

Course Structure

Text Book

William B. Frakes and Ricardo Baeza-Yates, Information Retrieval Data Structures and Algorithms.  Prentice Hall, 1992.

Assumed Background

This is class requires a moderate level of maturity in understanding computer systems and architecture, such as CS211 (or equivalent).  Several assignments will include programming, primarily in Perl.  Prior knowledge of Perl is not required.

Computing Experiment

Unix and NT computers with appropriate software are available in the Computer Science Undergraduate Lab, Upson Hall Room 315/317. MEng students may also use the MEng computing lab.

Assignments and Grading

The course grade will be based on course assignments, participation in the discussion classes, and the examinations (mid-term and final).  All assignments are individual assignments. The weightings given to these components are expected to be as follows, but these weightings may be changed:


William Y. Arms

(wya@cs.cornell.edu)
Last changed: September 11, 2001