STAT 33612: Randomness and High-Dimensional Optimization

Instructor: Frederic Koehler

Class Schedule & Location

Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Location: Jones 303

Course Description

This is a class on the precise analysis of high-dimensional optimization problems arising from statistics, learning, and other areas using probabilistic tools. A main conceptual focus is the relationship between computational/constructive vs statistical/existential tractability. Techniques related to statistical physics (e.g. AMP), combinatorial and nonconvex optimization, and gaussian processes will be covered.

Lecture Schedule

Scribe Instructions

Every student enrolled for credit should scribe a class. Scribe notes should aim to be high quality, mathematically correct, and intelligible to someone who missed the class. They are due within 9 days of when the class occurred. I might ask for edits to the scribe notes if I observe areas for improvement. They will be posted on the course webpage.

Scribing template: scribetemplate.tex Please send tex and pdf when completed with scribing.

Some useful references and notes

These are some sample course notes,books,etc which cover many interesting topics. They have some overlapping content with this course and are useful references.

Other Logistics

There will be a course project with a written report for all students enrolled for a grade. More information soon.

If you are auditing the class, please email me to ensure you receive relevant announcements.