Module MATH42815: Machine Learning

Department: Mathematical Sciences

MATH42815: Machine Learning

Tied To

• G5K823: Data Science
• G5K923: Data Science (Digital Humanities)

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To introduce the essential knowledge and skills required in machine learning for data science.

Content

• Feature selection and regularization for big data (e.g. ridge and lasso regression).
• Flexible methods for fitting curves to data (e.g. polynomial regression and splines).
• Supervised machine learning (e.g. decision/classification trees, support vector machines, neural networks, deep learning).

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will:
• be aware of a wide range of supervised learning methods.
• have a systematic and coherent understanding of the theory, computation and application of the topics studied.
• have acquired a coherent body of applicable knowledge on modern regression methods, decision-based machine-learning techniques, support vector machines, neural networks, and deep learning.

• In addition, students will have acquired:
• programming skills generally used in machine learning.
• Ability to identify and apply appropriate supervised learning methods to modern real-world problems.

• Students will have skills in the following areas: synthesis of data and data analysis, critical and analytical thinking, statistical modelling, computer skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module will be delivered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
• Workshops describe theory and its application to concrete examples, concretize understanding via the application of calculational and computational methods to more complex problems, as well as providing feedback and encouraging active engagement via discussion and groupwork.
• All lectures will be recorded in line with the University's Lecture Capturre Policy and will be available for the duration of the programme.
• Online resources support learning and normally include: video content, directed reading, reflection through activities, opportunities for self-assessment, and peer-to-peer learning within a tutor-facilitated discussion board.
• Surgeries give students the chance to pose personalized questions on both theory and practice.
• Summative assignments are designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of implementation and interpretation of calculational and computational methods as applied to both synthetic and real problems.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

None