Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027

Module MATH52115: Advanced Statistics and Machine Learning: Regression and Classification

Department: Mathematical Sciences

MATH52115: Advanced Statistics and Machine Learning: Regression and Classification

Type Tied Level 5 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2026/2027 Module Cap None.
Tied to G5T109
Tied to G5T209
Tied to G5T309
Tied to G5T509
Tied to G5T809
Tied to G5T909
Tied to G5TA09

Prerequisites

    Corequisites

    • PHYS51915 Core Ia: Introduction to Machine Learning and Statistics; PHYS52015 Core Ib: Introduction to Scientific and High-Performance Computing; MATH52015 Advanced Statistical and Machine Learning: Foundations and Unsupervised Learning

    Excluded Combination of Modules

    • None

    Aims

    • Provide advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the paradigms and fundamental ideas of Bayesian statistics and machine learning.
    • Provide advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the methodology and applications of Bayesian statistics and machine learning.

    Content

    • Advanced statistical modelling (e.g. linear models, graphical models, Gaussian processes).
    • Advanced supervised machine learning (e.g. random forests, boosting, deep neural networks, deep statistical models).

    Learning Outcomes

    Subject-specific Knowledge:
    • Advanced understanding of statistical modelling frameworks and methods.
    • Advanced understanding of supervised machine learning frameworks and methods.
    Subject-specific Skills:
    • Ability to use Bayesian theory and inference to frame, analyse, and formalize practical problems, and to reflect critically upon this use.
    • Ability to select and apply appropriate computationally-intensive methods to practical problems, and to reflect critically upon their application.
    • Ability to select or to develop, and to apply, appropriate models to practical problems, and to reflect critically upon their application.
    • Ability to select, adapt, and apply appropriate machine learning methods to practical problems, and to reflect critically upon their application.
    Key Skills:

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

      • Lectures demonstrate what is required to be learned and the application of the theory to concrete examples.
      • Practical classes concretize understanding via the application of calculational and computational methods to more complex problems, as well as providing feedback and encouraging active engagement.
      • Coursework will assess students' ability to implement calculational and computational methods on both synthetic and real problems.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours Attendance Monitored
      Lectures 30 3 per week, weeks 11 - 20, term 2 1 hour 30
      Practicals 10 1 per week, weeks 11 - 20, term 2 1 hour 10 Yes
      Preparation and Reading 110
      Total 150

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      In-Year Test 2 hours 50%
      In-Year Test 2 hours 50%

      Formative Assessment:


      Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.