Winter 2021. This class introduces advanced undergraduates to the theory and practice of Natural Language Processing. This offering will focus on NLP programming for processing and generation of narratively structured text, such as stories and personal blogs/narratives that can be mined on the web. CSE 143 provides a combination of homeworks and exams targeted at learning the basics of NLP using the NLTK toolkit and other publicly available software.  You also will work in teams to complete a team project building a question answering system. You must have completed CSE 30 or have python at the level of CSE 30. Either STAT 131 or CSE 107 are also required as a prerequisite. 

Important Information

Piazza: piazza.com/ucsc/winter2021/cse14301

Class Time: This class will meet synchronously by Zoom TuTh 11:40AM-01:15PM. It will be recorded. There will be some pop quizzes in class. We will take attendance. Attendance at class and section are worth 5% of your grade. 

Sections:  Section times are M  2:40 PM to 4:10 PM,  W 1:30 PM to 3:05 PM, Th  3:20 PM to 4:55 PM, Fr 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

You have to attend one section a week but you may often want to attend an extra section. If you have trouble getting your questions answered in section or TA office hours (see below) because of the remote setting, please let us know. 

Midterm: February 9th during class time

Final Exam: Final Exam will be on Monday March 15th 8 to 11 AM

Text Books:

We will use two books that are both available online.

NLTK: see http://www.nltk.org/book/ Links to an external site. as well as https://www.nltk.org/

Speech and Language Processing (Jurafsky and Martin):

https://web.stanford.edu/~jurafsky/slp3/ Links to an external site.

Instructor:  Marilyn Walker

Office Hours: Thursday after class 1:15 to 2:00

Teaching Assistants:

• Changmao Li  cli237@ucsc.edu
• Office Hours: Friday 2:30pm to 4:30pm

• Wen Cui  wcui7@ucsc.edu
• Office Hours: Thursday 3:15-4:15pm

• Kevin Bowden kkbowden@ucsc.edu
• Office Hours:  Wednesday 12:30 - 1:30

DRC Statement: UC Santa Cruz is committed to creating an academic environment that supports its diverse student body. If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations to achieve equal access in this course, please submit your Accommodation Authorization Letter from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to me privately during my office hours or by appointment, preferably within the first two weeks of the quarter. At this time, I would also like us to discuss ways we can ensure your full participation in the course. I encourage all students who may benefit from learning more about DRC services to contact DRC by phone at 831-459-2089 or by email at drc@ucsc.edu.

CARE Statement: Title IX prohibits gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual violence, you can receive confidential support and advocacy at the Campus Advocacy Resources & Education (CARE) Office by calling (831) 502-2273. In addition, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) can provide confidential, counseling support, (831) 459-2628. You can also report gender discrimination directly to the University’s Title IX Office, (831) 459-2462. Reports to law enforcement can be made to UCPD, (831) 459-2231 ext. 1. For emergencies call 911.