Graphical Models

Course aim

To provide an entry into probabilistic modeling and reasoning, primarily of discrete variable systems. Very little continuous variable calculus is required, and students more familiar with discrete mathematics should find the course digestible. 

Course content

Introduction
Review of probability theory and motivations for dealing with uncertainty reasoning. Bayesian Reasoning and probability.

Graphical Models Belief Networks
A more formal and general specification of directed and undirected models, their semantics, independence statements.

The Junction Tree Algorithm
Exact inference in discrete singly-connected graphs (Belief Propagation). Derivation of inference in multiply-connected graphs.

Learning
Using data to learn the tables in discrete graphs using maximum likelihood. Examples including diagnostic systems. Expectation-Maximisation Algorithm.

Common Models in Machine Learning and Applications
Models related to data clustering, analysis and visualization. Mixtures of Bernoulli distributions for Questionnaire Analysis. Hidden Markov Models and applications in sequence clustering and analysis.Low-density Parity Check error correction as an example of Belief propagation.Latent Semantic Analysis (PLSA) and Information Retrieval. Applications to web link analysis.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Continuous assessment, Examination

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
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* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.