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IBM

Machine Learning: Unsupervised Models

IBM via edX

Overview

Gain a detailed introduction to unsupervised learning, one of the core branches of machine learning focused on uncovering patterns and insights in data without labeled outcomes. Learn how to work with datasets that lack a target variable by applying powerful techniques such as clustering and dimensionality reduction. These methods are essential for identifying structure within the data, discovering hidden groupings, and simplifying complex datasets while retaining meaningful information.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore commonly used algorithms like k-means, hierarchical clustering, DBSCAN, and principal component analysis (PCA), as well as learn how to choose the most appropriate method based on the nature of your data. You’ll gain an understanding of the curse of dimensionality and how it affects the performance of clustering algorithms when working with high-dimensional data.

The hands-on component emphasizes real-world problem solving using best practices in unsupervised learning. You’ll gain practical experience implementing clustering and dimensionality reduction techniques, interpreting the results, and applying appropriate metrics to evaluate the quality of your clusters.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to identify when unsupervised learning is appropriate, apply different algorithms effectively, and extract meaningful insights from unlabeled datasets.

Syllabus

Course Introduction

  • Video: Course Introduction

Module 1: Introduction to Unsupervised Learning and K Means

  • Reading: Learning Objectives

  • Video: Introduction to Unsupervised Learning: Overview

  • Video: Introduction to Unsupervised Learning: Use Cases of Clustering

  • Video: Introduction to Clustering

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Introduction to Unsupervised Learning

  • Video: K-Means

  • Video: K-Means Initialization

  • Video: Selecting the Right Number of Clusters in K-Means

  • Video: Elbow method and Applying K-means

  • K Means Demo (Activity)

  • Video: (Optional) K Means Notebook - Part 1

  • Video: (Optional) K Means Notebook - Part 2

  • Video: (Optional) K Means Notebook - Part 3

  • Practice Lab: K Means Clustering Lab

  • Reading: Mixture of Gaussians

  • Practice Lab: Mixture of Gaussians Lab

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: K Means Clustering

  • Reading: Summary

  • Graded: Module 1 Quiz

Module 2: Distance Metrics & Computational Hurdles

  • Reading: Learning Objectives

  • Video: Distance Metrics: Euclidean and Manhattan Distance

  • Video: Distance Metrics: Cosine and Jaccard Distance

  • Demo lab: Curse of Dimensionality

  • Video: (Optional) Curse of Dimensionality Notebook - Part 1

  • Video: (Optional) Curse of Dimensionality Notebook - Part 2

  • Video: (Optional) Curse of Dimensionality Notebook - Part 3

  • Video: (Optional) Curse of Dimensionality Notebook - Part 4

  • Practice Lab: Distance Metrics Lab

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Distance Metrics

  • Reading: Summary

  • Graded: Module 2 Quiz

Module 3: Selecting a Clustering Algorithm

  • Reading: Learning Objectives

  • Video: Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering

  • Video: Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering: Hierarchical Linkage Types

  • Video: Applying Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering

  • Video: DBSCAN

  • Video: Visualizing DBSCAN

  • Practice lab: DBSCAN Clustering

  • Video: Mean Shift

  • Practice lab: Mean Shift Clustering

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Clustering Algorithms

  • Video: Comparing Algorithms

  • Clustering Demo (Activity)

  • Video: Clustering Notebook - Part 1

  • Video: Clustering Notebook - Part 2

  • Video: (Optional) Clustering Notebook - Part 3

  • Video: (Optional) Clustering Notebook - Part 4

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Comparing Clustering Algorithms

  • Reading: Summary

  • Graded: Module 3 Quiz

Module 4: Dimensionality Reduction

  • Reading: Learning Objectives

  • Video: Dimensionality Reduction: Overview

  • Video: Dimensionality Reduction: Principal Component Analysis

  • App Item: (Optional) Matrix Review

  • Demo lab: Dimensionality Reduction (Part 1)

  • Video: (Optional) Dimensionality Reduction Notebook - Part 1

  • Video: (Optional) Dimensionality Reduction Notebook - Part 2

  • Practice lab: Principal Component Analysis

  • App Item: Singular Value Decomposition

  • Video: Dimensionality Reduction Imaging Example

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Dimensionality Reduction

  • Reading: Summary

  • Graded: Module 4 Quiz

Module 5: Nonlinear and Distance-Based Dimensionality Reduction

  • Reading: Learning Objectives

  • Video: Kernel Principal Component Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling

  • Demo lab: Dimensionality Reduction (Part 2)

  • Video: (Optional) Dimensionality Reduction Notebook - Part 3

  • Practice lab: Kernel PCA

  • Practice lab: Multidimensional Scaling

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Kernel PCA and MDS

  • Reading: Summary

  • Graded: Module 5 Quiz

Module 6: Matrix Factorization

  • Reading: Learning Objectives

  • Video: Non Negative Matrix Factorization

  • Demo lab: Non-Negative Matrix Factorization

  • App Item: (Optional) TF-IDF Supplemental.

  • Video: (Optional) Non Negative Matrix Factorization Notebook - Part 1

  • Video: (Optional) Non Negative Matrix Factorization Notebook - Part 2

  • Practice lab: Non-Negative Matrix Factorization

  • Ungraded Practice Assignment: Non Negative Matrix Factorization

  • Reading: Summary

  • Graded: Module 6 Quiz

Module 7: Final Project

  • Peer Review: Course Final Project

  • Reading: Thanks from the Course Team

Taught by

Skills Network

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