The study of multi-agent systems (MAS) focuses on systems in which many intelligent agents interact with each other.&#160; These agents are considered to be autonomous entities such as software programs or robots.&#160; Their interactions can either be cooperative (for example as in an ant colony) or selfish (as in a free market economy).&#160; This book assumes only basic knowledge of algorithms and discrete maths, both of which are taught as standard in the first or second year of computer science degree programmes.&#160; A basic knowledge of artificial intelligence would useful to help understand some of the issues, but is not essential. <p> <p> The book&#8217;s main aims are: <ul type="disc"> <li>To introduce the student to the concept of agents and multi-agent systems, and the main applications for which they are appropriate <li>To introduce the main issues surrounding the design of intelligent agents <li>To introduce the main issues surrounding the design of a multi-agent society <li>To introduce a number of typical applications for agent technology </ul>