CE802-7-AU-CO:
Machine Learning

The details
2024/25
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
25 April 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC G41112 Artificial Intelligence,
MSC G411CH Artificial Intelligence,
MSC G51512 Big Data and Text Analytics,
MSC N35012 Artificial Intelligence in Finance,
MSC G40812 Intelligent Systems and Robotics,
MSC G30412 Data Science,
MSC G304PP Data Science with Professional Placement,
MSC G30612 Data Science and its Applications,
MSC G30624 Data Science and its Applications,
MSC G456N2 Computing,
MSC G456N3 Computing,
MSC GH64N4 Computer Systems Engineering,
MPHDG30448 Data Science,
PHD G30448 Data Science,
MSCIN399 Actuarial Science and Data Science,
MSCIG199 Mathematics and Data Science

Module description

The module assumes a reasonable programming background and is not suitable for students without prior programming experience.


This module provides an understanding of machine learning, the methods involved in evaluating them, and their application to real-world problems. It will include classification and regression learning along with other techniques, and apply the techniques to particular classes of problems.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To provide an understanding of the major approaches to machine learning, the methods involved in evaluating them, and their application to the solution of real problems.


Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the theoretical foundations behind machine learning methods and design machine learning methods to solve practical problems.

  2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of various machine learning techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning methods.

  3. Critically evaluate the suitability and limitations of different machine learning algorithms for specific classes of practical problems.

  4. Critically assess the performance of machine learning models in various contexts, using appropriate methods to obtain performance estimates and prevent data leakage issues.

Module information

The module assumes a reasonable programming background and is not suitable for students without prior programming experience.


Syllabus


Introduction:



  • What is meant by machine learning

  • Taxonomy of machine learning algorithms

  • The inductive bias

  • Data mining


Learning to classify:



  • Decision tree induction

  • Naïve Bayes methods

  • Bayesian networks

  • K-nearest neighbour method

  • Support vector machines


Learning to predict numeric values:



  • Linear Regression

  • Regression trees


Evaluating learning procedures


Overfitting and the 'bias-variance trade-off'


Applications of machine learning


Clustering:



  • k-means algorithm

  • agglomerative hierarchical methods


Association rules mining:



  • A priori algorithm


Reinforcement learning:



  • Q learning


Multiple learners:



  • Bagging, boosting, forests and stacking



Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Lectures
  • Labs
  • Classes

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Progress Test 1 (In person, MCQ Moodle Test, Closed Book)    30% 
Coursework   Progress Test 2 (In person, MCQ Moodle Test, Closed Book)    30% 
Coursework   Lab-based coding exercises    40% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Early Exams 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Luca Citi, email: lciti@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Luca Citi
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
No
No
Yes

External examiner

Dr Colin Johnson
University of Nottingham
Dr MARJORY CRISTIANY Da COSTA ABREU
Sheffield Hallam University
Senior Lecturer
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 23 hours, 23 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

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