A survey of numerical approaches to the continuous mathematics used throughout computer science with an emphasis on machine and deep learning. Although motivated from the standpoint of machine learning, the course will focus on the underlying mathematical methods including computational linear algebra and optimization, as well as special topics such as automatic differentiation via backward propagation, momentum methods from ordinary differential equations, CNNs, RNNs, etc. Written homework assignments and (straightforward) quizzes focus on various concepts; additionally, students can opt in to a series of programming assignments geared towards neural network creation, training, and inference. (Replaces CS 205A, and satisfies all similar requirements.) Prerequisites: Math CS 51; Math104 or MATH 113 or equivalent or comfort with the associated material.
3 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
A survey of numerical approaches to the continuous mathematics used throughout computer science with an emphasis on machine and deep learning. Although motivated from the standpoint of machine learning, the course will focus on the underlying mathematical methods including computational linear algebra and optimization, as well as special topics such as automatic differentiation via backward propagation, momentum methods from ordinary differential equations, CNNs, RNNs, etc. Written homework assignments and (straightforward) quizzes focus on various concepts; additionally, students can opt in to a series of programming assignments geared towards neural network creation, training, and inference. (Replaces CS205A, and satisfies all similar requirements.) Prerequisites: Math 51; Math104 or MATH113 or equivalent or comfort with the associated material.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.