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Neural Networks and Deep Learning

Code: 104407 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2503740 Computational Mathematics and Data Analytics OB 3

Contact

Name:
Oriol Ramos Terrades
Email:
oriol.ramos@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

To have completed the subjects of Materia 7: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the subjects of Modelling and Inference (2nd), Complex Data Analysis (2nd), and Information Theory (3rd).


Objectives and Contextualisation

This subject aims to give a practical introduction to neural network models and deep learning.

The students will consolidate and extend their theoretical background, by building on top of previous subjects on machine learning and complementing previous knowledge with new concepts on neural network design, deep learning frameworks, and the training process for such models.

The students should finish this subject, having a broad knowledge of different neural network architectures and their typical use scenarios, and a demonstrated capacity to critically choose the right architecture and training mechanisms for each task.

Finally, the students will receive hands-on training and acquire practical experience on using current deep learning frameworks to solve specific tasks.


Learning Outcomes

  1. CM22 (Competence) Apply the most suitable learning techniques to solve computational problems in different case studies.
  2. CM22 (Competence) Apply the most suitable learning techniques to solve computational problems in different case studies.
  3. CM23 (Competence) Assess the results and limitations of the most common learning techniques.
  4. CM24 (Competence) Apply deep learning mechanisms based on neural networks to be able to design the most suitable architecture for a given problem, checking that fundamental rights and duties and democratic values are not violated.
  5. CM24 (Competence) Apply deep learning mechanisms based on neural networks to be able to design the most suitable architecture for a given problem, checking that fundamental rights and duties and democratic values are not violated.
  6. KM20 (Knowledge) Identify the human knowledge representation techniques.
  7. KM21 (Knowledge) Define computational solutions in multiple domains to make decisions based on the exploration of alternatives, uncertain reasoning and task planning.
  8. KM21 (Knowledge) Define computational solutions in multiple domains to make decisions based on the exploration of alternatives, uncertain reasoning and task planning.
  9. SM19 (Skill) Develop optimum search schemes for different problems through knowledge representation and classification.

Content

  • Neural networks
    • Perceptron
    • Multi-layer perceptron
    • Backpropagation
  • Training process
    • Initialization
    • Optimization algorithms
    • Regularization techniques
    • Tasks and cost functions
  • Deep neural network architectures
    • Convolutional networks
    • Recurrent networks
    • Unsupervised learning (autoencoders)
    • Generative Adversarial Networks

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Practical session 14 0.56
Project Sessions 16 0.64
Theory session 20 0.8
Type: Supervised      
Tutoring 5 0.2
Type: Autonomous      
Dedication to practical work 29 1.16
Project development 16 0.64
Reading and study of material 45 1.8

Neural network design is guided by the types of problems that it aims to solve. Throughout this subject it will be that typology of problems that will provide the motivation of each section and will direct the organization of the contents.

There will be three types of sessions:

Theory classes: The objective of these sessions is for the teacher to explain the theoretical background of the subject. For each one of the topics studied, the theory and mathematical formulation is explained, as well as the corresponding algorithmic solutions.

Laboratory sessions: Laboratory sessions aim to facilitate interaction, collaborative work and to reinforce the comprehension of the topics seen in the theory classes. During laboratory sessions the students will work through practical cases that require the design of solutions using the methods studied in theory classes. Problem solving will be initiated in the class and will be complemented by a weekly set of problems to work through at home.

Project sessions: towards the end of the course the last sessions will be devoted to a project follow-up. This project will consist of a task that must be solved with the tools and concepts worked on throughout the course.

All the information of the subject and the related documents that the students need will be available at the virtual campus (cv.uab.cat).

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Examinations 45 4 0.16 KM20, KM21
Problems deliverables 10 0 0 CM22, CM24
Project Evaluation 45 1 0.04 CM22, CM23, CM24, SM19

To assess the level of student learning, a formula is established that combines theoretical and practical knowledge acquisition, and the ability to solve problems.

Final Grade

The final grade is calculated weighted in the following way and according to the different activities that are carried out:

Final grade = 0.45 * Theory Grade + 0.1 * Problems Portfolio Grade + 0.45 * Project Evaluation

This formula will be applied whenever the theory grade  be greater than 4. There is no restriction on the problems portafolio grade or the projects grade. If the calculation of the formula yields >= 5, but the theory  grade do not reach the minimum required, then the final grade that  will be the smallest among the results of applying the previous formula and 4.5.

Theory Grade

The theory grade aims to assess the individual abilities of the student in terms of the theoretical content of the subject, this is done continuously during the course through two partial exams. The overall theory grade is the average of the grades of the two partial exams.

Theory Grade = 0.5 * Exam 1 Grade + 0.5 * Exam 2 Grade

These exams aim to assess the abilities of each student in an individualized manner, both in terms of solving problems using the techniques explained in class, as well as evaluating the level of conceptualization that the student has made of the techniques seen. If the calculation of the formula yields a theory grade < 5, it will be required to  pass the 2n chance exam.

2n chance exam. In case the  theory grade does not reach the adequate level to pass, the students can take a 2n chance  exam about  all the contents of the subject. In case of passing, the maximum score of the recovery exam will be 5.

Problems Portfolio Grade

The aim of the problems (exercises) is for the student to train with the contents of the subject continuously and become familiar with the application of the theoretical concepts. As evidence of this work, the presentation of a portfolio is requested in which the exercises worked out will be collated. To obtain a problems grade it is required that the student submits a minimum of 70% of the problem sets, in the opposite case, the problems grade will be 0.

Project Evaluation Grade

The most practical training part of this subject is based on the development of a project that is done at the end of the course. It has an essential weight in the overall grade of the subject and it is expected  students  face the problem of designing a solution to a challenge that is presented in a contextualized way and that, therefore, requires the design of a full solution, from the beginnig, processing data to the end, designing and training a neural network model. In addition,  students must demonstrate their  skills to work as a team and convincingly present the results.

Projects are evaluated through their deliverable and an oral presentation that the students will make to class. The note is calculated in the following way:

Project Score = 0.6 * Deliverable Score + 0.4 * Presentation Score

In case of not passing the project, it is allowed a 2n chance to pass the project  at the group level or at the individual level with the restriction that the maximum grade of the project will be a 5 (approve). In the 2n chance of the project, the grades obtained from the presentation and self-assessment are not considered.

Important notes

This subject does not foresee the single assessment system.

Notwithstanding other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with the academic regulations in force, evaluation activities will be suspended with zero (0) whenever a student commits any academic irregularities that may alter such evaluation (for example, plagiarizing, copying, letting copy, ...). The evaluationactivities qualified in this way and by this procedure will not be recoverable. If you need to pass any of these assessment activities to pass the subject, this subject will be failed directly, without opportunity to recover it in the same course.

In case there the student does not deliver any exercise solutions, does not participate in any practical evaluation, and does not take any exam, the corresponding grade will be a "non-evaluable". In any other case, the “no shows” count as a0 forthe calculation of the weighted average.

In order to pass the course with honours, the final grade obtained must be equal or higher than 9 points. Because the number of students with this distinction cannot exceed 5% of the total number of students enrolled in thecourse, it is given to whoever has the highest final marks. In case of a tie, the results of the partial exams will be taken into account.


Bibliography

Books:

  • Deep Learning, Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio, and Aaron Courville, MIT Press, 1st Ed. 2016
  • Deep learning with Python, François Chollet, Manning Publications, 1st Ed., 2017
  • Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning, Christopher Bishop, Springer, 2011
  • Neural Networks for Pattern Recognition, Christopher Bishop, Oxford University Press, 1st ed., 1996

Books online


Software

For the practical activities of the course we will use Python (NumPy, MatPlotLib, SciKit Learn) and PyTorch


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Undefined second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed