University of Technology Sydney

42894 Advanced Machine Learning

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Computer Science
Credit points: 2 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 42820 Machine Learning Foundations

Description

The Advanced Machine Learning subject offers an introduction of some advanced machine learning data models, algorithms and theoretical results. It is designed for learners with some existing familiarity with machine learning who are looking for a deeper understanding (both theory and hands-on) of statistical learning theory and empirical risk minimization to improve their ML models and algorithms.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Design machine learning algorithms with practical implementation for professional contexts. (C.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

The study will be both theoretical and practical. As for the theory, the subject provides a systematic view of the whole lifecycle of a data model, from the design motivation to the dynamics in the learning process and the evaluation and how reliable the evaluation results are. On the practical side, learners will be led to translate mathematical notions into data structures and programs in a digital computer, which allows them to ‘open the hood’ of the data models and get hands-on experience to examine piece-by-piece how the models perform learning. Subject presentation includes weekly synchronous one-hour online workshops facilitated by an expert UTS academic(s) supporting self-study and online (LMS) learning activities. Regular formative quizzes throughout the semester will allow students to gauge their progress.

Content (topics)

  • Build data models
  • Stack perceptron to neural networks
  • Deep neural networks (DNN) architecture, toolset and learning practice
  • Generalised linear models, kernel methods
  • Learn data models (Gradient-based algorithm and optimisation)
  • Backpropagation - the training of neural networks
  • Constrained optimisation practice
  • Improve model reliability
  • DNN structures to enable learning stability
  • Regularisation techniques
  • Why learned models can be trusted? (Theory of the risk of learning-based models)
  • Bias and Variance, Training and Test Evaluation

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Algorithm Implementation and Report

Intent:

Demonstrate ability to implement the learning framework and learning algorithm. It reinforces the hands-on skill in implementation and evaluation of machine learning.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

C.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 100%
Length:

2,000 words

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the microcredential, a learner must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.