GRA 4136 Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning

GRA 4136 Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning

Course code: 
GRA 4136
Department: 
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Credits: 
6
Course coordinator: 
John Chandler Johnson
Course name in Norwegian: 
Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning
Product category: 
Master
Portfolio: 
MSc in Business Analytics
Semester: 
2019 Spring
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

This course teaches students how to use machine learning techniques and tools for predictive analytics. The course will also teach students to: specify problems accessible with these methods, evaluate analytics models, use new tools in the rapidly evolving automated machine learning field, and deploy machine learning models. The course assumes prior experience with: basic probability theory, traditional methods for analysis of continuous and categorical variables, and introductory Python programming.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

Students will learn about machine learning algorithms, translating business problems into problems machines can solve, and evaluating machine learning models. Students will also learn about recent advances in automated machine learning, and the implications for generalized deployment of the technology. Students will extend their programming expertise to machine learning applications, using predictive analytics to address business problems and to evaluate strategic options. Students will become familiar with automated machine learning tools such as: Python’s auto_ml and tpot libraries, DataRobot, exploratory.io, etc. Because these automated ML tools are very new and changing very rapidly, final decisions on tools will depend on the “state of the art” when the course starts.

Learning outcomes - Skills

Students completing the course will be able to: specify business problems such that predictive analytics can be applied; evaluate and specify project data requirements; execute predictive analytics on a broad range of problems; evaluate predictive analytics model results; and discuss results/requirements both with data scientists and with practitioners.

Learning Outcome - Reflection

Positioning data vis-à-vis methods, as in predictive analytics, is a natural opportunity to inculcate a perspective that organizations are problem-solving, data-driven entities. Predictive analytics offers a framework in which students can reflect on the value of data for a particular problem, or the value of a method given particular data. The course will encourage students to reflect on capturing and creating data-driven value. Because analytics is data-driven, as compared to traditional theory-driven research, the course will ask students to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of each scientific approach.

Course content

This course focuses on predictive analytics and machine learning applications: supervised learning (classification and regression). The course will also introduce unsupervised learning, including clustering, market basket analysis, and dimensionality reduction. Students will implement and tune individual machine learning algorithms (e.g., via Python’s scikit-learn library), and work with tools in the rapidly evolving field of automated machine learning. In addition to lecture, the course will include cases, in-class workshops, and guest speakers as appropriate.

Learning process and requirements to students

The course will use a variety of software, including: Continuum's Anaconda software suite, DataRobot, and MySQL. This field is changing very rapidly and new tools are released monthly. To ensure that the course stays current, the instrutor may introduce new software. Such changes will not require any prerequisite changes or fundamentally alter the nature of the course. 

During class, the instructor will provide students with a link to purchase a 9-month DataRobot license. At writing, this license costs $80, and is paid for by the student. 

Software tools
Software defined under the section "Teaching and learning activities".
Qualifications

All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have specific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.

Required prerequisite knowledge

The course assumes prior experience with: basic probability theory, traditional methods for analysis of continuous and categorical variables, and introductory Python programming.

Exam categoryWeightInvigilationDurationSupport materialsGroupingComment exam
Exam category:
Submission
Form of assessment:
Written submission
Exam code:
GRA 41361
Grading scale:
ECTS
Grading rules:
Internal and external examiner
Resit:
Examination when next scheduled course
50No24 Hour(s)Individual Machine learning take-home exam.
Exam category:
Submission
Form of assessment:
Written submission
Exam code:
GRA 41362
Grading scale:
ECTS
Grading rules:
Internal and external examiner
Resit:
Examination when next scheduled course
50Yes3 Hour(s)
  • No support materials
Individual Written examination under supervision.
Exams:
Exam category:Submission
Form of assessment:Written submission
Weight:50
Invigilation:No
Grouping (size):Individual
Support materials:
Duration:24 Hour(s)
Comment:Machine learning take-home exam.
Exam code:GRA 41361
Grading scale:ECTS
Resit:Examination when next scheduled course
Exam category:Submission
Form of assessment:Written submission
Weight:50
Invigilation:Yes
Grouping (size):Individual
Support materials:
  • No support materials
Duration:3 Hour(s)
Comment:Written examination under supervision.
Exam code:GRA 41362
Grading scale:ECTS
Resit:Examination when next scheduled course
Exam organisation: 
Ordinary examination
Total weight: 
100
Sum workload: 
0

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of at least 160 hours.