Basic Information About 6.390
Please Log In for full access to the web site.
Note that this link will take you to an external site (https://shimmer.mit.edu) to authenticate, and then you will be redirected back to this page.
Table of Contents
1) Course Overview §
6.390 introduces the principles and algorithms of machine learning from an optimization perspective. Topics include linear and non-linear models for supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, with a focus on gradient-based methods and neural-network architectures. Enrollment may be limited.2) Prerequisites §
Concretely, things we expect you to know (we use these constantly, but don’t teach them explicitly):2.1) Programming §
- Intermediate Python, including the notion of classes.
- Exposure to algorithms – ability to understand & discuss pseudo-code, and implement in Python.
2.2) Linear Algebra §
- Fundamental matrix concepts and manipulations, e.g., rank, multiplication, and inverse.
- Points and planes in high-dimensional space.
- Basic matrix calculus, e.g., gradients.
6.1010 or 6.1210 can serve as the programming prerequisite. 18.06, 18.C06, 18.03, or 18.700 can serve as the linear algebra prerequisite.
(For each of these courses above, a link points to a representative syllabus from some past semesters, for reference.)
3) Course Components§
3.1) Lectures§
Lectures anchor the upcoming week's discussion, cover the technical content, and tie together the high-level motivations, concepts, and stories. Along with notes and the exercises, lectures prepare you for the upcoming recitations and Wednesday labs.
Lectures will be held class-wide, in Room 10-250, Mondays 3-4:30pm. Recordings will be made available shortly after live sessions.
3.2) Exercises§
Online exercises are typically released on Monday at 5pm (available and completed through the course website), and will be due Wednesday by 9am.
The intention is for you to read the notes and/or view the Monday lectures, and do these exercises, so as to maximize the value of your participation in the upcoming recitation and lab, and to begin learning the material in advance of the next lab and homework.
3.3) Labs§
Each Wednesday lab is a hands-on assignment that you work through with a partner in small teams (typically two to three students) and with staff, to explore fundamental concepts in advance of individual work in the homeworks.Each student must attend a weekly 1.5-hour lab session on Wednesdays. The lab session is synchronous.
Typically, each lab will require a few checkoffs -- a brief discussion with a staff member on the topic of the assigned problems. Labs are released and due in session. However, if the first checkoff is completed by the end of the lab section meeting, then the rest of the checkoffs can be completed, without penalty, by 9pm the Tuesday after the lab section (during office hours).
If you are sick, please do not attend lab; for illness or personal situations, see the guidelines below.
| Section | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:30am-11am | 34-501 |
| 2 | 11am-12:30pm | 34-501 |
| 3 | 11am-12:30pm | 32-044 |
| 4 | 1pm-2:30pm | 34-501 |
| 5 | 1pm-2:30pm | 32-044 |
| 6 | 2:30pm-4pm | 34-501 |
3.4) Recitations§
Recitations reinforce problem-solving skills through examples and pen-and-paper problems. Recitations are held in four sections on Thursdays and Fridays.You're welcome to attend any recitation section that fits your schedule, subject to room capacity.
| Section | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | R 11am-12:30pm | 45-102 |
| R2 | R 1pm-2:30pm | 32-044 |
| R3 | R 2:30pm-4pm | 32-044 |
| R4 | F 11am-12:30pm | 45-102 |
3.5) Homeworks§
Homework is generally released each Tuesday at 9am Eastern, and is due online (through the course website) the following Thursday (9 days later) at 11:59pm Eastern.
3.6) Midterm and Final Exam§
There are two midterm exams and one final exam.
The first Midterm Exam is scheduled on Thursday, March 12, 7:30pm to 9pm, in multiple rooms. It covers material through week 4 (linear classification). See the Midterm 1 page for details and room assignments.
The second Midterm Exam is scheduled on Wednesday, April 15, 7:30pm to 9pm, in multiple rooms. It covers material through week 9 (transformers). See the Midterm 2 page for details and room assignments.
We will also have a Final Exam. The exact time is to be scheduled by the Registrar and details will be announced around the third week of the term. All three exams are in-person and written exams.
4) Getting help on 6.390§
Please follow this guideline when asking for help (and note that the best way to get help depends on the kind of question you have).
5) Illness and personal issues§
Please refer to the Grading page for more info.6) Listeners§
Due to capacity and other constraints, we will not be able to accept Listener registrants. That said, most of the course materials are openly accessible.