George Mason University
The Volgenau School of Engineering
Department of Computer Science

CS 782 Machine Learning

 

Meeting time: Wednesday 4:30 pm – 7:10 pm

Meeting location: Robinson Hall B102

 

Instructor: Dr. Gheorghe Tecuci, Professor of Computer Science

Office hours: Monday 7:15 pm – 8:05 pm and Wednesday 7:15 pm – 8:05 pm
Office: Nguyen Engineering Building 4613
Phone: 703 993 1722
E-mail: tecuci at gmu dot edu

 

Course Description

 

Machine Learning is concerned with the development of computer systems that are able to improve their performance at some task by learning from input data, from their own problem solving experience, and/or from a human. This course presents the principles, strategies, major methods, systems, applications, open issues, and research directions in Machine Learning. Covered topics include: Inductive learning, Decision trees, Rule induction, Instance-based learning, Bayesian learning, Neural networks, Model ensembles, Learning Theory, Support vector machines, and Learning apprentices. The course will also include experimentation with learning systems implementing the methods discussed in class. A major part of this course will involve your development of a research project in an area of interest to you, involving significant outside study and preparation of both a written paper and an oral presentation to the class.

 

This course will use Blackboard (see http://gmu.blackboard.com) to post lecture notes, papers, assignments, and grades. Students have accounts on Blackboard and can download the PDF slide files by going to courses.gmu.edu and logging in using their Mason ID and passwords.

 

Grading Policy

 

There will be assignments, a project, and a final exam, the course grade being computed as follows:

Class participation and assignments: 20%

Project 40%

Final exam 40%

 

Final Exam Date

 

Monday May 8th, 4:30pm      

 

Email Communication

Please include CS782 in the subject of any message you are emailing to Dr. Tecuci.

 

GMU Email Accounts

Students must activate their GMU email accounts to receive important University information, including messages related to this class.

 

Office of Disability Services

If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS. http://ods.gmu.edu.

 

Other Useful Campus Resources

Writing Center: A114 Robinson Hall; 703 993 1200; http://writingcenter.gmu.edu

University Libraries “Ask a Librarian” http://library.gmu.edu/mudge/IM/IMRef.html

Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS):  703  993 2380; http://caps.gmu.edu

 

University Policies

The University Catalog, http://catalog.gmu.edu, is the central resource for university policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university affairs. GMU is an Honor Code university. You are expected to abide by the University's honor code.