uwloo

ECE 657Introduction to Machine Learning

Units
0.50
Level
Graduate
Faculty
Engineering
Subject
Electrical and Computer Engineering

When it runs

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

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course provides a rigorous examination of Machine Learning (ML), structured to progress from fundamental principles to advanced methodologies. It encompasses a broad spectrum of supervised learning topics, including nonparametric and parametric models, linear and nonlinear approaches, deep learning paradigms, and probabilistic models. In the domain of unsupervised learning, students will delve into clustering, density estimation, and dimensionality reduction, while reinforcement learning will be introduced preliminarily.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
      • CS680 - Introduction to Machine Learning (0.50)
      • MSE623 - Introduction to Machine Learning (0.50)
    • Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in:

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

8 posts and comments in 6 threads mention ECE 657, July 2018 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.

Spring 2024

Spring 2023

ECE 657 vs 657A 3 points, 3 comments

u/Hadokuv: “Does anyone happen to have a good idea at the differences between the 2 courses? 657A has its outline posted online so its easier to understand but 657 only has a 2018 outline and it looks like the course is being taught by someone else and might have been changed. …”

u/Quick_Search_4773: “Both ECE 657 and 657A are requirements for ML/AI specialization in MEng. ECE 657 covers topics like: linear regression, logistic, KSOM, RBF, MLP, CNNs, RNNs, NPLs, and Fuzzy”

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Spring 2021

Winter 2021

Did any one take ECE 657 with Haitham Amar? 15 points, 4 comments

u/enkidugh: “Did any one take ECE 657 Tools of Intelligent Systems Design with Haitham Amar? thoughts about the course and the instructor?”

u/AltruisticToe15: “As a former MME master student I took his ECE 657A before. Honesty I don't think his lecture is well-organized, which made me hard to catch up his steps.”

u/AltruisticToe15: “I didn't take ECE 657 before. The assignments on his ECE 657A require students to implement some different tasks using machine learning & deep learning methods. Personally I don't think it's very interesting, but I really learnt something.”

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Spring 2018

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Graduate Calendar

Older Graduate Calendars

In 27 terms, Fall 2011 to Winter 2024