Insegnamento a.a. 2024-2025

30554 - MATHEMATICAL MODELLING IN MACHINE LEARNING

Department of Computing Sciences

Course taught in English
BAI (8 credits - II sem. - OB  |  4 credits FIS/02  |  4 credits MAT/06)
Course Director:
RICCARDO ZECCHINA

Classi: 27 (I/II sem.)
Docenti responsabili delle classi:
Classe 27: RICCARDO ZECCHINA


Conoscenze pregresse consigliate

For a productive and effective learning experience, it is recommended a preliminary knowledge of linear algebra, programming in Python, basic probability and statistics, calculus and convex optimization

Mission e Programma sintetico

MISSION

Machine learning is a rapidly evolving field. It is also becoming more and more central to many sciences and applications in which data play a role. The purpose of this course is to give the fundamental principles and methods of modern machine learning, from its probabilistic foundations to its modelling and computational aspects.

PROGRAMMA SINTETICO

  • Explain and understand the fundamental mathematical and modeling theories underlying machine learning (ML) methods.
  • Define the basic ML models and explain the main differences between them through increasing levels of complexity: regression, classification, clustering, dimensionality reduction and different computational approaches to learning.
  • Acquire the basic knowledge of information theory which is relevant for learnaing.
  • Implement and apply machine learning methods through programming platforms.
  • Evaluate results through cross-validation  and rigorous tests when possible.
  • Optimize key tradeoffs such as overfitting and computational cost. 

Risultati di Apprendimento Attesi (RAA)

CONOSCENZA E COMPRENSIONE

Al termine dell'insegnamento, lo studente sarà in grado di...

Rigorously understand the methodological underpinnings of different machine learning models. Understand their limitations and open problems.

Be familiar with the programming techniques required for efficient implementation of the different algorithms that characterize ML.

CAPACITA' DI APPLICARE CONOSCENZA E COMPRENSIONE

Al termine dell'insegnamento, lo studente sarà in grado di...

1) Understand to associated the appropriate mathematical framework to the different ML techniques.

2) Depending on the type of problem, the students are expected to be able to identify the appropriate ML models and implement the different machine learning algorithms.

Basic examples are:

Regression

Classification algorithms (from K-NN, to Decisions Trees and Forests, to Neural Networks)

Clustering (e.g. K-means, hierarchical and spectral approaches)

Dimensionality reduction (e.g. PCA)

Implement and apply machine learning algorithm to real-world problems, and rigorously evaluate their performance using cross-validation.

Optimize the main trade-o"s such as overwritting, and computational cost vs accuracy.

Experience common pitfalls and how to overcome them.


Modalità didattiche

  • Lezioni frontali
  • Esercitazioni (esercizi, banche dati, software etc.)
  • Lavori/Assignment individuali
  • Lavori/Assignment di gruppo

DETTAGLI

Face-to-face lecture will be devoted to the understanding of the mathematical foundations and computational problems associated to the different ML methods, and to the software implementation of the algorithms.

 

Exercises, individual and gruop assignments have the scope of make the students familiarize with the application of   machine learning methods to real-world problems.  Students will be also asked to  critically evaluate performance and to

optimize their programs.

 


Metodi di valutazione dell'apprendimento

  Accertamento in itinere Prove parziali Prova generale
  • Prova individuale scritta (tradizionale/online)
  x x
  • Assignment individuale (relazione, esercizio, dimostrazione, progetto etc.)
    x
  • Assignment di gruppo (relazione, esercizio, dimostrazione, progetto etc.)
    x

STUDENTI FREQUENTANTI E NON FREQUENTANTI

Scope of the written exam is to check the understanding of the mathematical and computational problems at the root of modern ML.

Individual and group assigmnets will relate to the capability of dealing with real world problems and the software implementation of the different algorithms.

Grading scheme:

Theory 15 pts.

Individual project: 10 pts.

Group project: 6 pts.

 


Materiali didattici


STUDENTI FREQUENTANTI E NON FREQUENTANTI

Textbooks:

- S. Shalev-Shwartz and S. Ben-David: Understanding Machine Learning - From Theory to Algorithms

- G. Strang: Linear Algebra and Learning from Data

- C. Bishop: Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning

Handouts will be provided for each lecture.

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