Lectures in the academic year 2003 / 2004:

 L1: Information economy

Dr. M. Goliński (SGH), Prof. T. Szapiro (SGH)

Economics of information. Information as the fourth factor of production, competition and economic decision-making. Information infrastructure of the modern economy. Infomedia techniques and economic changes: globalization, virtualization, network companies. Inter-organizational information systems. Economic policy of the state in the era of the information society.

L2: Information infrastructure

Prof. Józef Lubacz (PW), Dr. ing. M. Średniawa (PW)

Institutional aspects, service and technical evolution of the components pertaining the information infrastructure: telecommunication, information technology and electronic media. Essence of digital technology. Architectural principles of telecommunication and IT infrastructure. Internet and traditional telecommunication networks. Current state and prospects for development of the global information infrastructure.

L3: Gen-ethics from the perspective of a biologist and philosopher

Prof. M. Fikus (PAN), Dr. P. Łuków (UW)

Possibilities of modern genetic engineering to introduce living organisms (microorganisms, plants, animals) will be discussed on the background of basic information about the nature and the laws governing heredity. The last major success of the genetic engineering was to investigate the genome which allowed further development of genetic testing, gene therapy and somatic reproductive potential. These research achievements have impact on the relationship between man and nature. Also it influences study of the human genome, the problems of eugenics as well as assisted reproduction and human cloning. In addition relationship between these studies and the value of life will be tackled.

L4: Arts and culture in view of the information society

Prof. M. Duchowski (ASP) with his assistants

Aesthetics, ethics, politics and mass-media in the information society. New forms of artistic expression and the role of art in a society where electronic media and “virtual reality” are present: architecture, fine arts and film. Socio-cultural aspects of development of communication technology and organization.

L5: Neural networks, cellular automats and artificial life

Prof. R. Kosiński (PW)

Complex systems in nature. Brain as a complex system – construction and operation. Artificial neural networks – models of neuron, Hopfield networks, neural networks. Chaos in biological and artificial neural networks. Cellular automats – classification, properties, applications. Artificial life – definitions, simple systems, complexity and self-organization, elements of statistical description.