POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN

MACHINE LEARNING AND

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

In collaboration with
OVERVIEW

“ We are now solving problems

with machine learning and
artificial intelligence that were...
in the realm of science fiction
for the last several decades.
And natural language
understanding, machine vision
problems, it really is an

”
amazing renaissance.

Jeff Bezos
Founder, Amazon

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms

are transforming systems, experiences, processes, and
entire industries. It’s no wonder that business leaders see
these data-driven technologies as fundamental for the
future—and that practitioners fluent in both fields are in high
demand.

At Columbia Engineering, we are fascinated by their

world-changing potential, and we’ve created the
Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial
Intelligence, in partnership with Emeritus, to help students
understand the fundamentals of AI and machine learning
and how to apply them to solve complex, real-world
problems.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 01

FACULTY

John W. Paisley
Columbia University
Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering
Affiliated Member, Data Sciences Institute
John has a PhD from Duke and has been a postdoctoral researcher
in the Computer Science departments at Princeton University and
UC Berkeley.

John Paisley’s research focuses on developing models for

large-scale text and image processing applications. He is
particularly interested in Bayesian models and posterior inference
techniques that address the big data problem.

Ansaf Salleb-Aouissi
Department of Computer Science,
Columbia University
Ansaf received her PhD in Computer Science from the University of
Orleans, France.

She was an Associate Research Scientist at the Columbia

University’s Center for Computational Learning Systems and
served as an adjunct professor with the Computer Science
department and the Data Science Institute.

Ansaf’s research interests lie in machine learning and artificial

intelligence. She has done research on frequent patterns mining,
rule learning, and action recommendation and has worked on
projects including geographic information systems and machine
learning for the power grid.

Her current research interest includes crowd sourcing, medical

informatics and education.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 02

COURSE LEADERS

Carleton Smith
Course Leader, Emeritus
Carleton Smith is a Data Science educator and practitioner in
Chicago, IL. Carleton has taught several data science courses at
General Assembly and has served as the Lead Data Science
Instructor for a number of corporate training engagements.

Before becoming an instructor, Carleton worked on data projects

in the finance, health care, and medical research domains.
Carleton has an MS in Predictive Analytics from DePaul
University and a BS in Entrepreneurship from Indiana University’s
Kelley School of Business.

Jacob Koehler
Course Leader, Emeritus
Jacob is a mathematics educator, with a PhD in mathematics
education from Columbia University. Currently, he teaches
mathematics and computing in the Department of Natural
Sciences and Mathematics at The New School in Manhattan,
New York.

He loves all kinds of problems in mathematics and computing,

but especially those dealing with Natural Language Processing
and pedagogical problems in the mathematics classroom.

*Course Leaders are subject to change

*Course Leaders are subject to change
Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 03
HIGHLIGHTS

DISCUSSIONS ASSIGNMENTS /
APPLICATION
PROJECTS

VIDEO LECTURES CAPSTONE PROJECT

LIVE ONLINE
TEACHING SESSIONS

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 04

 Tools,
languages and
algorithms of
machine
learning

Principles and
AI SOLUTIONS techniques of
artificial
FOR REAL-WORLD intelligence

PROBLEMS

Heuristic and
adversarial search
for optimized
problem-solving

Predictive analytics
through data workflows
and statistical techniques

This PG Diploma is designed to teach the underlying concepts of AI and machine learning and how they can
be used to solve real-world problems. Students will gain a deep knowledge of the math of machine learning,
including relevant tools and languages and popular algorithms and their applications. They’ll also gain a
better understanding of the principles and practices of artificial intelligence (AI) and how to put them to work,
from the basics of heuristic and uniformed search to adversarial search, game creation and natural language
processing.

Going beyond the theory, our approach invites participants into a conversation, where learning is facilitated
by live subject matter experts and enriched by practitioners in the fields of machine learning and artificial
intelligence. We expect learners would be required to put in 6-8 hours per week.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 05

SYLLABUS

MODULE 1: APPLIED MACHINE LEARNING

SUPERVISED LEARNING UNSUPERVISED LEARNING

Regression Clustering Methods

• Maximum Likelihood • K-Means Clustering
• Least Squares • E-M
• Regularization • Gaussian Mixtures

Bayesian Methods Recommendation Systems

• Bayes Rule • Collaborative Filtering
• MAP Inference • Topic Modeling
• Active Learning • PCA

Foundational Classification Algorithms Sequential Data Models

• Nearest Neighbors • Markov and Hidden Markov Models
• Perceptron • Kalman Filters
• Logistic Regression
Association Analysis
Refinements to Classification
• Kernel Methods Clustering Methods - II
• Gaussian Process • Model Comparisons
• Analysis Considerations
Intermediate Classification Algorithms
• SVM
• Trees
• Forests and Boosting

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MODULE 2: APPLIED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

1. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 6. Reinforcement Learning

• Overview of AI • Reinforcement Learning Introduction
• Applications of AI • Reinforcement Learning Overview
• AI Foundation and History • Markov Decision Process (MDP)
• Example of an MDP and Bellman Equations
2. Intelligent Agents and Uninformed • Value Function - Matrix Notation
Search • Finding Optimal Policy in MDPs - Iterative Methods
• Intelligent Agents • Policy Iteration Method Example
• Search Agents • Value Iteration Method
• Uninformed Search • Reinforcement Learning - Algorithms
• Uninformed Search Examples
7. Logical Agents
3. Heuristic Search • Knowledge-Based Agents
• Heuristics and Greedy Search Algorithm • The Wumpus World
• A* Search and Optimality • Logical Agent
• Search Algorithms Recap • Inference Rules
• Local Search • Reduced Wumpus World
• Model Checking and Inference
• Theorem Proving and Proof by Resolution
4. Adversarial Search and Games
• Conversion to CNF and Resolution Algorithm
• Adversarial Search and Games
• Forward and Backward Chaining
• Minimax Algorithm
• Propositional Logic: Summary
• Alpha-Beta Pruning
• First Order Logic
• Stochastic Games

8. AI applications: Natural Language

5. Constraint Satisfaction Problems
Processing
• Constraint Satisfaction Problems
• AI Applications: Natural Language Processing
• Cryptarithmetic Puzzle
• Text Classification
• Backtracking
• Language Models
• Constraint Propagation
• Progress in NLP
• Problem Structure

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 07

9. AI Applications and Course Review
• Deep Learning: Background and History
• Deep Learning: Architecture and Application
• Introduction to Robotics
• Robot Path Planning - Visibility Graphs
• Voronoi Graphs and Potential Fields
• Probabilistic Roadmap Planner (PRM)
• Rapidly-Exploring Random Tress (RRT) and Path Planning Summary

MODULE 3: CAPSTONE PROJECT

PREREQUISITES

The diploma requires an undergraduate knowledge of statistics, (descriptive statistics, regression, sampling
distributions, hypothesis testing, interval estimation, etc.) calculus, linear algebra (vectors, matrices,
derivatives), and probability.

The admission process will involve a short screening test on the above topics to assess participant
readiness for the diploma.

Participants are required to possess an intermediate knowledge of Python since all

assignments/application projects will be done using the Python programming language. Emeritus offers a
complimentary Python for Data Analytics certificate course to meet this prerequisite. Participants who
successfully complete this certificate course will receive a certificate of completion from Emeritus.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 08

APPLICATION ASSIGNMENTS

The diploma requires learners to work on application assignments, which require learners to apply the
concepts they have learned to datasets and derive inferences. These assignments are intentionally made to
be challenging and we expect learners to spend substantial time and effort solving them. At the end of the
diploma, we expect learners to be able to apply the concepts to solve many of the business problems they
face at their workplace.

Movie Recommendation Engine

You will build a movie recommendation engine by applying collaborative filtering and
topic modelling techniques. You use a dataset which contains 20 million viewer
ratings of 27,000 movies.

House Price Prediction

You will write code to predict house prices based on several parameters available in
the Ames City dataset compiled by Dean De Cock using least squares linear regression
and Bayesian linear regression.

Human Activity Recognition

You will predict the human activity (walking, sitting, standing) that corresponds to the
accelerometer and gyroscope measurements by applying the nearest neighbours
technique.

Credit Card Fraud Detection

You will detect potential frauds using credit card transaction data. You will apply the
random forest method to identify fraudulent transactions.

Market Segmentation
You will create market segments using the US Census dataset and by applying the
k-means clustering method.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 09

 Search Algorithms
Apply advanced search techniques from Grid Search and Random Search to A* to
identify parameters appropriate

Adversarial Search and Games

Apply decision making across voting election data (online voting data for US elections)

Machine Learning
Apply the Data Science workflow to a classic e-commerce dataset to predict retention
and customer sales over time (Amazon sales dataset)

Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Implement constraint optimization techniques in TensorFlow for Loan Approvals
dataset

Reinforcement Learning
Apply OpenAI Gym, TensorFlow, and PyTorch to train systems such as Stanford
Question Answering Dataset

Natural Language Processing

Explore text analysis, text mining, sentiment analysis with classic text data sets
(i.e. Twitter, Yelp, Wikipedia) and packages such as SpaCy and NLTK

Note: All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders.
Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 10

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The diploma is spread over 36 weeks and consists of Video Lectures, Assignments/Application Projects,
Discussions, and a Capstone Project.

Orientation
The first week is orientation week. During this week you will be introduced to the other
participants in the class from across the world and you will learn how to use the learning
management system and other learning tools provided.

Goal Setting
You have learning goals set throughout the duration of the diploma, including watching the
video lectures and completing the assignments. All assignments have weekly deadlines.

Video Lectures
The recorded video lectures are by John W. Paisley, Columbia University Associate Professor,
Electrical Engineering, Affiliated Member, Data Sciences Institute and by Ansaf Salleb-Aouissi,
Department of Computer Science, Columbia University.

Live Webinars
Every few weeks, there are live webinars conducted by Emeritus Course Leaders. Course
Leaders are highly-experienced industry practitioners who contextualize the video lectures
and assist with questions you may have regarding your assignments. Live webinars are
usually conducted between 1 pm and 3 pm UTC on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Clarifying Doubts
In addition to the live webinars, for some diplomas, the Course Leaders conduct Office Hours,
which are webinar sessions that are open to all learners. During Office Hours, learners ask
questions and Course Leaders respond. These are usually conducted every alternate week to
help participants clarify their doubts pertaining to the content.

Follow-Up
EMERITUS Program Support Team follow-up over email and phone calls with learners who are
unable to submit their assignments on time.

Continuous Course Access

You will continue to have access to the diploma videos and learning material for up to 12
months from the diploma end date.

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 11

CERTIFICATE

Upon successful completion of the diploma, participants will receive a verified digital diploma from Emeritus
Institute of Management.

EMERITUS INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT

YOUR NAME

HAS ATTENDED AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MACHINE LEARNING

AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
2020-2021

Bob Halperin Ashley Chiampo

Academic Director Learning Director
EMERITUS EMERITUS

In collaboration with:

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 12

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Our participants demonstrate the following qualities:

Leadership initiative - going beyond their defined scope of work

An ability to “make things happen;” strong execution skills

A visionary with desire to shape the future

Multicultural experience and sensitivity

Ambitious and passionate learner

At least three years of professional experience

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 13

PAST PARTICIPANTS

TOP COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

500+ participants from over 40+ countries have benefitted from this diploma.

Canada United Kingdom

Germany

India
United States
UAE
Singapore
Brazil

South Africa Australia

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 14

PAST PARTICIPANTS

INDUSTRIES
The diploma has had IT, Banking & Finance, Consulting, Healthcare etc. industries participating.

27% 19% 8% 7% 39%

IT Services & Banking & Consulting Healthcare Others

IT Products Finance

WORK EXPERIENCE
The diploma has had General & Marketing Managers, Sales Managers etc. participating.

30% 26% 26% 12% 6%

1-10 Years 11-15 Years 16-20 Years 21-25 Years 25+ Years

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 15

ADMISSION & FEES

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be required to:

Submit a completed Application Form

Submit a current resume
Submit proof of diploma/degree in any field of study (highest qualification should be submitted)
Have completed 21 years of age on or before start of the diploma
All candidates are required to appear and clear a short screening test on programme pre-requisites

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT

All candidates who have received their bachelor’s or other degree or diploma from an education
institution where English is NOT the primary language of instruction are required to demonstrate
English language proficiency through ANY ONE of the following methods
Obtain a TOEFL minimum score of 550 for the paper based test or its equivalent
Obtain an IELTS minimum score of 6.0
Obtain a Pearson Versant Test minimum score of 59
Obtain a Certificate of Completion for a Certificate course offered by Emeritus
Submit a document which shows that the candidate has, for the last 24 months or more, worked in ANY
ONE of these countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia,
St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America

FEES APPLICATION DEADLINE

USD 3,000 (payable in 2 equal installments) 8 September 2020
Application Fee: (Non-Refundable) USD 50
Note: Singapore residents who wish to enroll for
this diploma will be charged GST. DIPLOMA COMMENCES
10 September 2020

DURATION
9 Months, Online

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 16

BENEFITS TO THE LEARNER

Deepen Your Intellectual Capital Manage Your Brand Capital

World-class curriculum from Columbia A global education on your resume

Engineering Executive Education
Participants scoring 90% or above in all
Selective entrance criterion ensures you courses, and 'Exceeds Expectations' on the
learn with the best Capstone assignment will be awarded
'Emeritus Scholars' status

Enhance Your Social Capital Enhance Your Career Capital

Make new, life-long connections with Learn while you earn
experienced business people from a wide
variety of cultures, industries and Get noticed. Get ahead.
backgrounds
Understand how to manage your career
Inclusion in the Emeritus Network and personal brand

Invitations to Emeritus Network events

globally including career panels, CXO
speaker series, and industry interactions

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 17

EMERITUS NETWORK

On successful completion of this program, join a community of learners on the Emeritus Network.
The Emeritus Network is your platform to connect to a global network of individuals. Benefits of the
Emeritus Network include:

Tuition assistance

Global network that includes over 400 CEOs, presidents, vice presidents, directors, founders, and
managing directors

Start-up corner to help connect, collaborate, raise capital, invest, or identify talent

50,000+ 160+ 70+

PARTICIPANTS COUNTRIES PROGRAMS

Postgraduate Diploma in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence | 18

ABOUT Columbia Engineering (The Fu Foundation School of Engineering
and Applied Science), is committed to pushing the frontiers of

COLUMBIA
knowledge and shaping discoveries to meet the needs of society.
These aspirations have been fundamental since its early origins in

ENGINEERING
1864 as a school devoted to metallurgy and mining.

Over the years, Columbia’s faculty and students have made

remarkable contributions that have spurred technological and social
progress. Today, Columbia carries the tradition of innovation as
engineering transforms nearly every aspect of life.

Faculty at Columbia Engineering have won 10 Nobel Prizes in

physics, chemistry, medicine, and economics.

ABOUT EMERITUS
Columbia Engineering Executive Education is collaborating with online education provider Emeritus to offer executive
education courses through a dynamic, interactive, digital learning platform. These courses leverage Columbia Engineering
Executive Education’s thought leadership in Engineering practice developed over years of research, teaching and practice.

An Emeritus Certificate course created in collaboration with Columbia Engineering Executive Education is based on
syllabus approved by Columbia Engineering Executive Education, and contains video content created and recorded by
Columbia Engineering Executive Education faculty, combined with assessments, assignments, projects, cases, and
exercises delivered by Emeritus. Upon successful completion of the course, learners will be awarded a certificate jointly
by Emeritus and Columbia Engineering Executive Education.

An Emeritus Postgraduate Diploma contains multiple Emeritus Certificate courses created in collaboration with Columbia
Engineering Executive Education, and may also include courses created independently by Emeritus. Upon successful
completion, students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma by Emeritus.
 www.emeritus.org

Schedule a call with a Program Advisor to learn how this diploma can help you

SCHEDULE A CALL

Apply for the diploma here

APPLY NOW

E-mail: info@emeritus.org
Call: +1 315 871 0015
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