This course is a lead-in to
deep learning and
neural networks - it covers a popular and fundamental technique used in machine learning, data science and statistics: logistic regression. We cover the theory from the ground up: derivation of the solution, and applications to real-world problems. We show you how one might code their own logistic regression module in Python.
This course does not require any external materials. Everything needed (Python, and some Python libraries) can be obtained for free.
This course provides you with many practical examples so that you can really see how deep learning can be used on anything. Throughout the course, we'll do a course project, which will show you how to predict user actions on a website given user data like whether or not that user is on a mobile device, the number of products they viewed, how long they stayed on your site, whether or not they are a returning visitor, and what time of day they visited.
Another project at the end of the course shows you how you can use deep learning for facial expression recognition. Imagine being able to predict someone's emotions just based on a picture!
If you are a programmer and you want to enhance your coding abilities by learning about
data science, then this course is for you. If you have a technical or mathematical background, and you want use your skills to make
data-driven decisions and optimize your business using scientific principles, then this course is for you.
This course focuses on
"how to build and understand", not just "how to use". Anyone can learn to use an API in 15 minutes after reading some documentation. It's not about "remembering facts", it's about
"seeing for yourself" via experimentation. It will teach you how to visualize what's happening in the model internally. If you want more than just a superficial look at machine learning models, this course is for you.
Suggested Prerequisites:
- calculus
- matrix arithmetic
- probability
- Python coding: if/else, loops, lists, dicts, sets
- Numpy coding: matrix and vector operations, loading a CSV file
Tips for success:
- Use the video speed changer! Personally, I like to watch at 2x.
- Take handwritten notes. This will drastically increase your ability to retain the information.
- Write down the equations. If you don't, I guarantee it will just look like gibberish.
- Ask lots of questions on the discussion board. The more the better!
- Don't get discouraged if you can't solve every exercise right away. Sometimes it'll take hours, days, or maybe weeks!
- Write code yourself, this is an applied course! Don't be a "couch potato".