605.643.81 - Linked Data and the Semantic Web

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites 

605. 444 - XML Design Paradigms or equivalent.

Course Structure

The course content is divided into modules. Modules can be accessed by clicking Course Content on the menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. Students are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted on the Course Outline page. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. 

Course Topics

See the schedule (below) for the topics covered in the course.

Course Goals

To develop a working knowledge of the core concepts, and associated technologies, of the Semantic Web, and their applicability to a range of real world problems, through exploration of projects in specific domain areas. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Describe and define the various concepts and technologies that make up the Semantic Web landscape.
• Summarize and explain the evolution of the Semantic Web in the context of the problem areas it is intended to address.
• Prepare artifacts (e.g. component ontologies, architectures) which would play a role in Semantic Web solutions.
• Assess the value and applicability of Semantic Web approaches to various problems.
• Identify and apply various tools and techniques available to working ontologists.
• Identify and explain theoretical principles and practical approaches to create, promulgate, and maintain ontologies for various problem domains.
• Apply this knowledge to create or extend applications using ontologies.
• Stay current in knowledge of technological developments in the Semantic Web and their impact.

Textbooks

Required 

Allemang, Dean & Hendler, Jim. Semantic Web for the Working Ontologist: Effective Modeling in RDFS and OWL, 2nd Edition, Waltham, Morgan Kaufmann. 

ISBN-13: 9780123859655 

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website at http://ep.jhu.edu/bookstore. 

Required Software

Some activities in this course will require the use of software (e.g. ontology editors). There are freely available, open source and/or trial options; pointers will be provided. 

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each class will take approximately 4–7 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2–3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1–2 hours per week), and writing assignments (approximately 1–2 hours per week). 

This course will consist of four basic student requirements: 

Preparation and Participation (Class Discussions) (240 points out of 1,000) 

Each student is responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings. 

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of day 3 for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for class discussions (i.e., Timeliness). 

Part two of your grade for class discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. 

I will monitor class discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. 

Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements: 

1. Timeliness (50%) 
2. Critical Thinking (50%) 

Preparation and participation is graded as follows: 

100–90 = A—Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis]. 

89–80 = B—Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place]. 

79–70 = C—Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace]. 

<70 = F—Timeliness [rarely participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed]. 

Survey Paper (125 points out of 1,000) 

All assignments including your survey paper, are due according to the dates in the course modules and the Calendar. Details of this assignment appear in Modules 1 & 2. 

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructor). 

Evaluation criteria and grading rubric will be included with the assignment description in Modules 1 and 2. 

Ontology Project (635 points out of 1,000) 

There are five assignments in this course, which constitute the five stages (including one early draft) of an overall course project. Specific instructions will be provided for each stage separately. These stages build on one another in order to provide the background knowledge needed to complete the final deliverable. 

1. Stage 1 (125 pts): Project Proposal 
2. Stage 2 (125 pts): Tool Exploration 
3. Stage 3 (125 pts): Representation Exercise 
4. Stage 4 Draft (60 pts): Preliminary Review of Stage 5 
5. Stage 5 (200 pts): Final Project Deliverable 

Grading Policy

Your assignments are due according to the dates in the individual modules and the Course Calendar. I will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 

I generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

How your coursework translates into a course letter grade is indicated below. 

1000–980 = A+ 

979–940 = A 

939–900 = A− 

899–870 = B+ 

869–830 = B 

829–800 = B− 

799–770 = C+ 

769–730 = C 

729–700 = C− 

699–670 = D+ 

669–630 = D 

799–700 = F 

< 630 = F 

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting: 

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.