Problems in Ontology

PHI 531 Seminar Problems in Ontology

Up to 4 Credit Hours

Faculty: Barry Smith

Mondays, 4-6pm, Fall 2012, Park 141, UB North Campus

The class will consist of a mixture of presentations by ontologists from UB and elsewhere; ontology development and planning sessions; teaching on specific ontology topics (for a sample see here; and video presentations (for example from here. We will cover a variety of topics in theoretical and applied ontology, paying special attention to applications in the areas of biology and medicine on the one hand, and defense and security on the other.

Opening session: August 27, 2012

We will begin with an overview of the course, provide a basic introduction to ontology by answering questions such as:

What is an ontology?

How are ontologies used?

Grading Requirements for this class will depend on the selected number of credit hours, but will include active class participation and completion of some written work or ontology project.

Introductory readings are provided here