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CS 480Introduction to Machine Learning

Units
0.50
Faculty
Mathematics
Subject
Computer Science

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 3 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Introduction to modelling and algorithmic techniques for machines to learn concepts from data. Generalization: underfitting, overfitting, cross-validation. Tasks: classification, regression, clustering. Optimization-based learning: loss minimization. regularization. Statistical learning: maximum likelihood, Bayesian learning. Algorithms: nearest neighbour, (generalized) linear regression, mixtures of Gaussians, Gaussian processes, kernel methods, support vector machines, deep learning, sequence learning, ensemble techniques. Large scale learning: distributed learning and stream learning. Applications: Natural language processing, computer vision, data mining, human computer interaction, information retrieval.

Prerequisites

Antirequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
      • MSE446 - Introduction to Machine Learning (0.50)
    • Not completed any of the following:

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001632859 / 70MW 16:00–17:20
LEC 002644868 / 70MW 14:30–15:50

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00159930 / 70TTh 13:00–14:20
LEC 00259940 / 70TTh 14:30–15:50
LEC 7012351107 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

70% liked it38% easy85% useful

From 74 ratings and 25 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • CS 480 is a trap! I was tricked into taking this course when the prof said that this was a beginner friendly machine learning course. I got torn a new one on the final and I'm still recovering.

    Apr 2020 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Taking this course with Marina Meila. It covers useful topics, all what you'd expect, but it is not taught well. To add onto what the previous review mentioned, I have really no idea how to prepare for the final exam (and for all the quizzes previously as well). I wish there were more resources, especially knowing what to expect for the course at the beginning and before add/drop period ends (ie breakdown, due dates for assignments, when we will cover what topic, what topics are covered). I also wish quizzes were automatically returned on Crowdmark or something, and that my assignments were graded so I can review for the exam. Hoping the final is easy and makes up for this, lol.

    Apr 2026 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • If it's being taught by Marina Meila, don't take this course. She is awful. She makes her assessments so obscure, sucks at explaining things in lecture, is terrible at answering questions, frequently makes errors in grading, returns grades too late, doesn't make online copies of anything (you have to go pick it up in person at her office), didnt return any quizzes, doesn't provide enough good resources, and only selectively answers Piazza questions (answers all the silly questions and leaves the important ones). She didn't even tell us what the grade breakdown would be for the course. She overcomplicated everything and made this course much more difficult than it had to be. She ends all her…

    Apr 2026 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Dumb midterm/final

    Jan 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Possibly the most breadth-heavy course I took at UWaterloo. Gives a broad introduction to machine learning, with useful assignments that combine theory and programming. The course felt a bit disorganized, and the final was very long (but ended up being curved hugely).

    May 2019 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

393 posts and comments in 286 threads mention CS 480, February 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Most interesting upper-year CS classes 13 points, 8 comments

“Rising 4B CS here. Currently on my schedule I have 488 (Graphics) since I’ve been meaning to take that since like 2nd year and CS 492 since I feel like it’d be fun to talk about the social …”

u/COCS2022: “CS 479 (neural networks) is relatively interesting and easy. it's a light version of CS 480.”

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Spring 2024

Lin alg heavy courses 13 points, 10 comments

u/U09IUA: “I love math235 and I'm sad that there's no Lin Alg 3. What are some courses that use a lot of Lin alg? Would CS484 or CS480 fit this? CS475 isn't available next term, and I've already taken CS370”

u/Budget-Project803: “CS 480 uses principles of lin alg but if you're hoping to solve lin alg problems by hand, you will be disappointed. If you want to learn how to use Python to do silly stuff with matrices, it would be fun. You could also look into some graphics classes. …”

u/Osteospermum: “… As others have said CS 480, CO 250, and STAT 331 cover some applications of linear algebra, but are more tangentially related.”

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Easy Electives 1 point, 8 comments

“Hello, I am committed to UWaterloo General Sciences Honours Co-op Undergrad starting in the fall of 2024. I get to select an elective for the first two academic semesters. …”

u/TheKoalaFromMars: “I'd recommend MTE 220 (basic light switch design), CS 480 (how to learn), PHYS 476 (baby physics), MTE 241 (how to use windows 10), any if you're really into things that move, TRAINS!”

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how hard is it to get into the mathematics in data science major 4 points, 5 comments

“Hey! I was recently admitted to honours mathematics with co-op but deferred from cs. I am interested in both math and cs and would like to work in a software job in the future. …”

u/djao: “Yes, data science allows you to take certain CS only courses, for example CS 480 (look in the prerequisites). Typically, if a CS only course is required for your program, then you'll be able to take it when you are in that program.”

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STAT444 VS STAT443 5 points, 0 comments

u/poeticorange: “I’m currently taking CS480 and is planning to take STAT441 and CS486 in future terms. Should I take STAT444 with Alex Stringer or STAT443 with Jeremy VanderDoes? Appreciate any advice or comments on the courses or profs.”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar