FUNDAMENTALS OF MACHINE LEARNING (ONLINE) - 2025/6

Module Overview

This course offers an introduction to machine learning for those interested in the science and technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It provides background and the theory for building fundamental artificial systems that can process a variety of data and analyse their semantic information of interest. This is implemented by various fundamental learning algorithms that will be discussed and demonstrated in an easy-to-approach manner.

Module provider

SOL - Computer Science and Elec Eng

Module Leader

ZHU Xiatian (CS & EE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes the following:

• Introduction to Machine Learning.


• Linear Algebra.


• Regression Methods and Logistic Regression.


• Support Vector Machines.


• Tree based Machine Learning Models.


• Clustering and Dimensionality Reduction.


• Neural Networks.


• Evaluation Techniques.


• Large Scale Machine Learning.


• •Machine Learning System Design.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following. 

• Knowledge of machine learning concepts including why machine learning is necessary and for what kinds of circumstances.


• Knowledge of the fundamental machine learning paradigms and representative learning algorithms including their application scope and the underlying assumptions.


• Skills of identifying the suitable machine learning paradigms for a given problem from a specific domain.


• Knowledge of designing machine learning systems including how to achieve optimum performance and how to deal with large-scale data.


• Skills of applying machine learning methods, mathematical and computer-based models, and using computer software (Python) to solve target problems.


• Programming skills and understanding of software tools, development environments, libraries and reusable components (such as Python workflows).


• Practical knowledge and skills on how to implement basic machine learning systems based on an understanding of relevant knowledge delivered in self-guided lectures.


• Skills of identifying and analysing problems, and developing software solutions to remove problems.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following:

• Coursework 20%.


• Online examination 80%. 

The coursework assessments consist of using the Python programming language to perform a carefully designed experiment, with a report summarising the outcomes. The purpose of the coursework is for students to practically apply the theoretical knowledge gained from the lectures to real-world applications. This is designed to address the learning outcomes of 2 and 4.
The examination consists of a written examination. The exam will test the students’ knowledge, analytical, and design skills. The exam is designed to address all the learning outcomes.
Formative assessment and feedback:
For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways:

• During tutorial sessions providing opportunities for students to ask questions.


• Via feedback on the assessed coursework.

Module aims

• The aim of this module is to offer a fundamental course on the principles of modern machine learning which underpin a variety of disciplines like Machine Vision, Natural Language Processing, Remote Sensing, Surveillance, Medical Imaging, Multimedia etc. In particular the course focuses on basic learning paradigms and representative learning algorithms that have been widely exploited and explored in the past decades across various domains as above.
• The module also aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about the Surrey Pillars listed below.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims:

• To introduce the basic ideas of machine learning to set up a solid understanding for the fundamental learning algorithms


• To introduce the necessary mathematical knowledge for machine learning such as linear algebra


• To learn to analyse the problem from a mathematical perspective and identify the best machine learning paradigm that can be used to build possible solutions


• To learn basic programming skills and understanding of software tools, development environments, libraries and reusable components such as Python libraries


• To learn skills required to apply machine learning methods, and use computer software (Python) to solve representative problems


• To be able to identify and analyse problems based on some domain knowledge, and develop software solutions to resolve the problems.

The learning and teaching methods include the following:

• Captured content and self-guided activities introducing new material to students with supporting online exercises/


• Self-directed laboratory sessions in which students will have an opportunity to develop their programming skills and use of libraries to solve problems/


• A Python based coding assignment (coursework project).


• Final-week revision which demonstrate the principles of the theory in quantitative worked examples and prepare students for the written examination.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEEM079

Other information

We are committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital capabilities: By introducing students to high performance computing servers needed to complete the coursework; by enriching their programming skills for the AI discipline via Python and the various deep learning libraries.
Employability: By teaching students practical deep learning skills which is the most welcomed skill set in modern machine learning e.g. exploring a component that addresses specific industrial problems.
Global and cultural capabilities: By studying ethics-related topics around computer vision; by teaching machine learning techniques around data bias and domain adaptation, which is a cornerstone to deploying Machine Learning solutions across multiple cultures and in global scale.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.