The course will introduce students into the current state of artificial neural networks. It will review different application areas such as intrusion detection and monitoring systems, pattern recognition, access control and biological authentication, and their design. The students will be required to conduct research and analysis of existing applications and tools as well as to implement a course programming project on design of a specified application based on neural networks and/or fuzzy rules systems.

This course offers an introduction to supervised machine learning theories and algorithms, and their application to classification and regression tasks. Topics include: Mathematical background of machine learning (e.g. statistical analysis and visualization of data), neural models (e.g. Convolutional Neural Networks, Recurrent Neural Networks), probabilistic graphical models (e.g. Bayesian networks, Markov models), and reinforcement learning. Programming assignments are required.

There have been significant advances in recent years in the areas of neuroscience, cognitive science and physiology related to how humans process information. In this course students will focus on developing computational models that are biologically inspired to solve complex problems. A research paper and programming project on a relevant topic will be required. A background in biology is not required.