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There are 8 modules in this course
This course provides a practical and theoretical tour of the most essential probability distributions that are most often used for modern machine learning and data science. We will explore the fundamental building blocks for modeling discrete events (Bernoulli, binomial, multinomial distributions) and continuous quantities (Gaussian distribution) and discuss the implications of Bayes Theorem. Moreover, we will discuss two perspectives in estimating the model parameters, namely Bayesian perspective and frequentist perspective and learn how to reason about uncertainty in model parameters themselves using the powerful beta and Dirichlet distributions for Bayesian perspective and maximum likelihood estimate for frequentist perspective. By the end of this course, you will have a fluent command of the mathematical "language" needed to understand, build, and interpret probabilistic models.
What's included
1 video2 readings
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 16 minutes
Introduction to Machine Learning•16 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Course Overview•10 minutes
Probability Distributions Overview•10 minutes
Probability Distributions: Bernoulli
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
What's included
3 videos2 readings4 assignments2 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 33 minutes
Bernoulli Distribution: Introduction•11 minutes
Bernoulli Variables: Maximum Likelihood Estimate - Part 1•13 minutes
Bernoulli Variables: Maximum Likelihood Estimate - Part 2•9 minutes
2 readings•Total 12 minutes
The Bernoulli Distribution•5 minutes
Probability Experiment: Coin Toss•7 minutes
4 assignments•Total 48 minutes
Bernoulli Distribution•25 minutes
Bernoulli Variables: Maximum Likelihood Estimate - Part 1•10 minutes
Bernoulli Variables MLE: Derivation•3 minutes
Bernoulli Variables MLE: Part 3•10 minutes
2 ungraded labs•Total 40 minutes
Bernoulli Variables MLE: Part 2 (Python Lab)•30 minutes
Bernoulli Variables MLE: Part 2 (Python Lab) Solutions•10 minutes
Probability Distributions: Binomial
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
What's included
4 videos1 reading5 assignments1 ungraded lab
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 51 minutes
Binomial Distribution•12 minutes
Binomial Distribution: Mean•16 minutes
Binomial Distribution: Variance•14 minutes
Binomial Distribution: MLE•9 minutes
1 reading•Total 5 minutes
The Binomial Distribution•5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 85 minutes
Binomial Distribution Assignment: Part 1•20 minutes
Binomial Distribution Assignment: Part 2•10 minutes
Binomial Distribution: Mean•25 minutes
Binomial Distribution: Variance•20 minutes
Bernoulli Distribution MLE Revisited: Part 2 •10 minutes
1 ungraded lab•Total 30 minutes
Bernoulli Distribution MLE Revisited: Part 1 (Python Lab)•30 minutes
Probability Distributions: Beta
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
What's included
4 videos2 readings5 assignments3 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 59 minutes
Beta Distribution: Def•14 minutes
Beta Distribution: Normalized•15 minutes
Beta Distribution: Mean and Variance•9 minutes
Beta Distribution: Bayesian Update•21 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
The Bayesian Perspective•10 minutes
Bernoulli to Beta Distribution Reflection•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 70 minutes
Beta Distribution: Part 1•15 minutes
Beta Distribution: Part 3•5 minutes
Beta Distribution Normalization•30 minutes
Beta Distribution Mean and Variance•10 minutes
Beta Distribution Bayesian Update: Part 2•10 minutes
3 ungraded labs•Total 130 minutes
Beta Distribution: Part 2 (Python Lab)•60 minutes
Beta Distribution Bayesian Update: Part 1 (Python Lab)•60 minutes
Beta Distribution Bayesian Update: Part 1 (Python Lab) Solutions•10 minutes
Multinomial Distribution MLE: Part 2 (Python Lab)•60 minutes
Multinomial Distribution MLE: Part 2 (Python Lab) Solutions•10 minutes
Probability Distributions: Dirichlet
Module 6•4 hours to complete
Module details
What's included
1 video2 readings2 assignments3 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 19 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution•19 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution: Overview•10 minutes
Categorical to Dirichlet Distribution: Reflection•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 40 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution Visualization: Part 2•20 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution Bayesian Update: Part 2•20 minutes
3 ungraded labs•Total 145 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution Visualization: Part 1 (Python Lab)•60 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution Bayesian Update: Part 1 (Python Lab)•75 minutes
Dirichlet Distribution Bayesian Update: Part 1 (Python Lab) Solutions•10 minutes
Probability Distributions: Gaussian
Module 7•4 hours to complete
Module details
What's included
6 videos1 reading5 assignments3 ungraded labs
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 67 minutes
Univariate Gaussian•19 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian - Part 1•16 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian - Part 2•8 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian - Part 3•5 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian - Part 4•9 minutes
Gaussian Distribution as Max Entropy Distribution•10 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
The Gaussian Distribution•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Univariate Gaussian: Part 2•10 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian: Part 2•10 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian Coordinate Transform (Change of Variables)•10 minutes
Gaussian PDF in the Eigenspace•10 minutes
Finding the Maximum Entropy Distribution•10 minutes
3 ungraded labs•Total 100 minutes
Univariate Gaussian: Part 1 (Python Lab)•60 minutes
Univariate Gaussian: Part 1 (Python Lab) Solutions•10 minutes
Multivariate Gaussian: Part 1 (Python Lab)•30 minutes
Course Wrap-Up
Module 8•1 hour to complete
Module details
What's included
1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Course Wrap-Up•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Course Reflection•30 minutes
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This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by Dartmouth College. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
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Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by Dartmouth College. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
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