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Carnegie Mellon University
95-828 Machine Learning for Problem Solving
Spring 2024

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Course Policies

LECTURES

  • All devices such as laptops, cell phones, noisy PDAs, etc. should be turned off for the duration of the lectures and the recitations, because they may distract other fellow students.
  • Students who would like to use their laptops during the course are strongly encouraged to sit at the back-most row of the classroom.
  • Please come to all lectures on time and leave on time, again so that there are no distractions to the classmates.

PRE-REQUISITES

This course does not assume any prior exposure to machine learning theory or practice. Students are expected to have the following background:
  • Basic knowledge of probability
  • Basic knowledge of linear algebra
  • Working knowledge of basic computing principles
  • Familiarity with Python programming and basic use of NumPy, pandas and matplotlib

ASSIGNMENTS

  • Assignments are due at the * beginning of lecture * on the due date.
  • The due date of assignments are posted at the assignments page.
  • Assignments will be posted on Canvas.
  • Students should submit their homework solutions (a pdf file with answers to conceptual questions and a Jupyter notebook with answers to programming questions) only electronically via Gradescope (no print outs).

  • Important Note: As we reuse problem set questions, covered by papers and webpages, we expect the students not to copy, refer to, or look at the solutions in preparing their answers. Since this is a graduate-level class, we expect students to want to learn and not google for answers. The purpose of problem sets in this class is to help you think about the material, not just give us the right answers.

    Therefore, please restrict attention to the class notes, slides, and the supplementary books mentioned on the resources page when solving problems on the problem set. If you do happen to use other material, it must be acknowledged clearly with a citation on the submitted solution.

    Questions and Re-grade requests

    • You should use Piazza for all your questions about the assignments and the course material. Instructor and TA(s) will do their best to answer your questions timely.
    • Regrade requests should be done in writing/email,
      • within 2 days after graded assignments are distributed
      • to the grader students specified on the front page (see Graders under People), and specifying
        • the question under dispute (e.g., 'HW1-Q.2.b')
        • the extra points requested (e.g., '2 points out of 5')
        • and the justification (e.g., 'I forgot to divide by variance, but the rest of my answer was correct')
      • In the remote case there is no satisfactory resolution, please contact the instructor.

    Homework Grading and Solutions

    • All homework will be graded online through Gradescope. Graders will provide comments and feedback on the deductions they have made accordingly.
    • We will post solutions to the assignments on Canvas, 4 days after the due date (to account for students using slip days, see below).

    Late submission policy 

    • No delay penalties, for medical/family/etc. emergencies (bring written documentation, like doctor's note).
    • Each student is granted '4 slip days' total for the whole course duration, to accommodate for coinciding deadlines/interviews/etc. That is, no questions asked, if the total delay is 4 days or less.
      • You can use the extension on any assignment during the course (unless otherwise stated). For instance, you can hand in one assignment 4 days late, or 4 different assignments 1 day late each.
      • Late days are rounded up to the nearest integer. For example, a submission that is 4 hours late will count as 1 day late.
      • After you have used up your slip days, any assignment handed in late will be marked off 25% per day of delay.
    • To use slip days:
      • upload your homework solutions on Gradescope to mark the time of submission
      • You can upload your modified files multiple times at different points in time. However, please note that we will use your latest upload date as the date of submission, even if you have modified only a small part of your files.

    Collaboration policy

    You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with your fellow students. However, the work you submit must be your own. You must acknowledge in your submission any help received on your assignments. That is, you must include a comment in your homework submission that clearly states the name of the student, book, or online reference from which you received assistance.

    Submissions that fail to properly acknowledge any help from other students or non-class sources will receive NO credit. Copied work will receive NO credit. Any and all violations will be reported to the Heinz College administration and may appear in the student's transcript.

    Academic integrity

    All students are expected to comply with CMU's policy on academic integrity. Please read the policy and make sure you have a complete understanding of it.

    EMAIL

    Piazza should be used for general course and assignment related questions. For other types of questions (e.g., to report illness, request various permissions) please contact the instructor directly via email.

    Please make sure to include '95828' in the subject line of your email.

    AUDITING

    Auditing is not allowed. Only those students who are officially enrolled to take the course for credit are allowed to sit in class.