Applied Machine Learning

Contacting the Instructor

The preferred way to contact the instructor outside of class is through Piazza. You can do this by creating a new post, selecting "Individual Student(s) / Instructor(s)", and typing "Instructors".

I can also be contacted by email: mpaul@colorado.edu.

I will respond to messages within 24 hours. I generally only look at mail once a day, in the morning.

Grading and Expectations

Students are expected to complete the assigned readings before coming to class. Quizzes will be randomly given to ensure students keep up with the readings. Reading assignments preceded by “5604” are only required for students enrolled in INFO-5604 (but of course, they are recommended for anyone who is interested). Readings preceded by “For more depth” are not required or expected, but are offered as pointers for advanced students who want to read more technical detail on the subject.

Graded work will take the following forms:

• Homework
  Homework, mostly programming in Python, will be assigned approximately every two weeks. Assignments will be distributed and submitted through Piazza.
  Collaboration policy: You can work on an assignment with up to three other students besides yourself. Each student must still type up and submit their own solution. If you work with others, you must clearly state the names of your partners in your submission (and all partners must do the same). You are encouraged to use Piazza to ask questions about the homework and share your findings, as long as you do not post so much as to give away the solution to others.
  Late policy: Assignments are due by the specified time on the due date. You are allowed to use five late days throughout the semester without penalty, where a late day will be applied as soon as the deadline is passed. Once you are out of late days, you can receive no more than 80% credit for an assignment that is up to one day late, and no more than 60% credit for an assignment that is more than one day late. Assignments cannot be accepted after the solution has been posted, usually two weeks after the deadline.
• Exams and Final Project
  There will be one midterm exam, approximately two thirds through the semester. In place of a final exam, there will be a final project. Final projects can be done individually or in a team; more instruction will be provided later in the semester.
• Participation and Quizzes
  Participation is evaluated by your contributions to discussions in class and on Piazza. Asking questions is just as important as answering them. In-class quizzes will designed to check that you have been doing the readings.
  Attendance policy: Attendance is not taken every day. However, random quizzes may be given as a proxy for measuring attendance. If you are unable to attend a class, I am generally lenient with excusing absenses as long as you notify me (through email or Piazza) before class. If you only notify me after you find out that you missed a quiz, then I may not excuse the absense.

Disability Accommodations

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit your accommodation letter from Disability Services to your faculty member in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities in the academic environment. Information on requesting accommodations is located on the Disability Services website. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or dsinfo@colorado.edu for further assistance. If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see Temporary Medical Conditions under the Students tab on the Disability Services website and discuss your needs with your professor.

Religious Observances

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments, or required attendance. In this class, if you have a conflict due to religious obligations, please notify the instructor at least two weeks in advance of the conflict so that we can arrange accommodations. See the campus policy regarding religious observances for full details.

Classroom Behavior

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. For more information, see the policies on classroom behavior and the Student Code of Conduct.

Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, Harassment and/or Related Retaliation

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment. CU Boulder will not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment or related retaliation against or by any employee or student. CU's Sexual Misconduct Policy prohibits sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, intimate partner abuse (dating or domestic violence), stalking or related retaliation. CU Boulder's Discrimination and Harassment Policy prohibits discrimination, harassment or related retaliation based on race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation or political philosophy. Individuals who believe they have been subject to misconduct under either policy should contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) at 303-492-2127. Information about the OIEC, the above referenced policies, and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment or related retaliation can be found at the OIEC website.

Honor Code

All students enrolled in a University of Colorado Boulder course are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy. Violations of the policy may include: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, lying, bribery, threat, unauthorized access to academic materials, clicker fraud, resubmission, and aiding academic dishonesty. All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-735-2273). Students who are found responsible for violating the academic integrity policy will be subject to nonacademic sanctions from the Honor Code Council as well as academic sanctions from the faculty member. Additional information regarding the academic integrity policy can be found at the Honor Code Office website.