Reading circle on Bayesian theory ================================= Prof. Sami Kaski, M.Sc. Jarkko Salojärvi Laboratory of Computer and Information Science, Helsinki University of Technology Sessions: Tuesdays at 12-14 in room A328, Computer Science building (Konemiehentie 2, Espoo), first lecture on Thu 14.9. 12-14. Language: English (unless all understand Finnish) Web page: http://www.cis.hut.fi/Opinnot/BT/ Description: The goal is to read and understand the book Bayesian Theory (Bernardo & Smith, Wiley 2000). The book starts by viewing Bayesian inference as a special case of decision theory, and then proceeds by giving a comprehensive discussion on modelling and inference. The focus will be more on the latter parts, but we will go through the beginning too, most likely skipping the proofs there. We will all read a chapter at a time, and discuss it during the next session. One of the participants, each in turn, introduces the chapter, leads the discussion, and coordinates exercises with the help of the course staff. Prerequisites: Basic math courses of TKK or equivalent, and reasonable knowledge of a subset of statistics, probabilistic modeling, machine learning, pattern recognition or information theory. The more theoretical T-61 courses give a very suitable background, for instance. Registration: Send a short description by email to the course assistant, (bt@cis.hut.fi) describing your reason for joining the reading circle, plus your potential contribution to the circle. Because of the format, we cannot take more than 15 students, but otherwise there is no need to be formal. More advanced researchers are welcome as well. Deadline: 12.9. Passing the course: A combination of exercises, summaries and active participation produces 7cu in the form of T-61.6900 in Individual Studies (yksilölliset opinnot).