Evolutionary computation in the context of artificial intelligence and optimization problems with NP complexity. Paradigm of genetic algorithms, evolutionary strategy, genetic programming and another evolutionary heuristics. Theory and practice of standard evolutionary computation. Advanced evolutionary algorithms based on graphic probabilistic models (EDA - estimation of distribution algorithms). Parallel evolutionary algorithms. A survey of representative applications of evolutionary algorithms in multi-objection optimization problems, artificial intelligence, knowledge based systems and digital circuit design. Techniques of rapid prototyping of evolutionary algorithms.