MS in Machine Learning

What is Machine Learning?

How can a computer learn to diagnose cancer?

How can a robotic assistant learn to adapt to the specific habits of their owners?

Machine learning is the study of how computers can learn complex concepts from data and experience, and seeks to answer the fundamental research questions underpinning the challenges outlined above.

The field of machine learning crosses a wide variety of disciplines that use data to find patterns in the ways both living systems, such as the human body and artificial systems, such as robots, are constructed and perform.

Whether it’s being applied to analyze and learn from medical data, or to model financial markets, or to create autonomous vehicles, machine learning builds and learns from both algorithm and theory to understand the world around us and create the tools we need and want.

Specific Machine Learning research topics in Computer Science include learning conceptual structures through developmental processes; improving control of stochastic and nonlinear dynamic systems through reinforcement feedback; learning robot control strategies; finding patterns in large bodies of data represented in graphical form, including social networks; extracting or retrieving information in natural language; classification of genetic data; and using learning methods for improving discrete optimization algorithms.

Machine Learning is multi-disciplinary

Much of the machine learning research in Computer Science is multi-disciplinary, with strong ties to research in statistics, operations research, cognitive and developmental psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy.

To give you a better sense of courses offered under Machine Learning, let’s have a look at various courses offered by different departments at Duke University for Machine Learning.

Computer Science Department

• Algorithmic Aspects of Machine Learning
• Computational Systems Biology
• Computer Vision
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Acoustics and Hearing
• Adaptive Filters
• Digital Image and Multidimensional Processing
• Digital Processing of Speech Signals
• Digital Signal Processing
• Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing
• Information Theory
• Introduction to Digital Communication Systems
• Introduction to Robotics and Automation
• Introduction to Signals and Systems
• Linear Control Systems
• Random Signals and Noise
• Sensor Array Signal Processing
• Sound in the Sea: Introduction to Marine Bioacoustics

Mathematics Department

• Applied Stochastic Processes
• Scientific Computing
• Stochastic Calculus

Statistical Sciences Department

• Applied Stochastic Processes
• Computational Data Analysis
• Introduction to Statistical Methods
• Modeling and Scientific Computing
• Modern Nonparametric Theory and Methods
• Probability and Statistical Models
• Statistical Case Studies

For different schools, Machine Learning curriculum could be very different. So you should be close attention to Machine Learning curriculum.

The curriculum actually tells you what subjects you’ll be studying and straight away gives an impression about the relevance of the program for you

Selecting the right school for Machine Learning

Let’s first have a look some of the good schools, in no particular order, offering Master’s in Machine Learning:

1. Carnegie Mellon University
2. University of Michigan Ann Arbor
3. Cornell
4. Berkeley
5. Stanford
6. Columbia University
7. University of Washington
8. Georgia Tech
9. University of California San Diego
10. University of Massachusetts Amherst
11. John Hopkins University
12. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
13. Penn State University
14. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
15. California Institute of Technology
16. University of Wisconsin Madison

Now the question is, how to go about selecting the right school for you. Let me dive deep into some of the schools:

Georgia Tech

Avg GRE Quant score 164

Tuition fee$27,872

Ranking#9 – US News Ranking for Artificial Intelligence – Computer Science

Description : The Center for Machine Learning at Georgia Tech (ML@GT) is an Interdisciplinary Research Center that is both a home for thought leaders and a training ground for the next generation of pioneers.The field of machine learning crosses a wide variety of disciplines that use data to find patterns in the ways both living systems, such as the human body and artificial systems, such as robots, are constructed and perform. Whether it’s being applied to analyze and learn from medical data, or to model financial markets, or to create autonomous vehicles, machine learning builds and learns from both algorithm and theory to understand the world around us and create the tools we need and want.

Shortlist type

For a profile of 3.7+ GPA,

GRE of 330+ with Quant score of 164,

Decent research experience with 1 publication and 1 internship / project,

I would shortlist this school as a Dream school i.e. with 25% chance of getting an admission.

Columbia University

Avg GRE Quant score167

Tuition fee$44,592

Ranking#15 – US News Ranking for Artificial Intelligence – Computer Science

Description:

The Machine Learning Track is intended for students who wish to develop their knowledge of machine learning techniques and applications. Machine learning is a rapidly expanding field with many applications in diverse areas such as bioinformatics, fraud detection, intelligent systems, perception, finance, information retrieval, and other areas.

Once you figure out your schools, you would research a bit about professors and alumni in those schools. It’s your individual fit with an advisor that matters more than anything else.

Some great professors in Machine Learning are at less known schools. So, starting with the the list of schools listed above, check-out the professors and their research areas that interest you most. You may look over some of their papers or try to talk to their students to get a feeling for the intellectual and inter-personal style in their group. You may also contact them by e-mail to discuss your research interests.

In addition, you should clearly state your research interests in the statement of purpose and note your interest in being part of the Machine Learning at your target school.

Career in Machine Learning

While you are thinking about pursuing your MS in Machine Learning, it’s important to get a sense of career in Machine Learning.

As Machine Learning is still evolving, after a Master’s in Machine Learning, you are more likely to, and are better off, work in some research areas in Machine Learning.

You are expected to solve new and emerging technical challenges related to human-machine interactions.

In your role, you will utilize core computer science and engineering skills like high-performance computing, distributed systems and applied math.

You are expected to have 5+ years of experience in programming parallel and distributed systems, debugging low-level problems, performance analysis and optimizations, and numerical methods.

Also include – experience in using machine learning techniques for classification, regression, or ranking problems, experience in building predictive models for recommendations or personalization, design and implementation of shipping, innovative consumer products etc.

Typical employers include Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft.

Hope this helps in shortlisting your target schools.

Cheers

Kani

+91-7337703233 (whatsapp your profile to know more)