Advanced Bayesian Machine Learning
Chapter 1: Revisiting Bayesian Foundations
Probabilistic Modeling Principles
Bayes' Theorem in High Dimensions
Subjectivity and Objectivity in Prior Selection
Information Theory Connection: Entropy and KL Divergence
Computational Challenges in Bayesian Inference
Advanced Model Checking and Criticism
Chapter 2: Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
Principles of Monte Carlo Integration
Markov Chain Theory for MCMC
Metropolis-Hastings Algorithm Variants
Gibbs Sampling for Conditional Structures
Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) Mechanics
The No-U-Turn Sampler (NUTS)
Diagnosing MCMC Convergence and Performance
Hands-on Practical: Implementing Advanced MCMC
Chapter 3: Variational Inference Techniques
Optimization as Inference: The VI Perspective
Deriving the Evidence Lower Bound (ELBO)
Mean-Field Approximation Details
Coordinate Ascent Variational Inference (CAVI)
Stochastic Variational Inference (SVI) for Large Data
Black Box Variational Inference (BBVI)
Advanced Variational Families
Comparing MCMC and VI Strengths
Hands-on Practical: Scalable Variational Inference
Chapter 4: Gaussian Processes
Bayesian Non-parametric Modeling Introduction
Defining Gaussian Processes: Priors Over Functions
Covariance Functions (Kernels): Properties and Selection
Gaussian Process Regression Formulation
Hyperparameter Marginal Likelihood Optimization
Gaussian Process Classification Techniques
Approximations for Scalable Gaussian Processes
Hands-on Practical: Gaussian Process Modeling
Chapter 5: Advanced Topics in Probabilistic Graphical Models
Bayesian Networks: Structure Learning
Parameter Learning in Bayesian Networks
Advanced Inference in PGMs: Junction Tree Algorithm
Approximate Inference in Large PGMs
Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA): Bayesian Formulation
Inference for LDA: Collapsed Gibbs Sampling
Inference for LDA: Variational Bayes
Hands-on Practical: Topic Modeling with LDA
Chapter 6: Bayesian Deep Learning
Motivation for Bayesian Deep Learning
Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs): Priors over Weights
Inference Challenges in BNNs
MCMC Methods for BNNs (e.g., Stochastic Gradient HMC)
Variational Inference for BNNs (e.g., Bayes by Backprop)
Uncertainty Estimation in BNNs
Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) as Probabilistic Models
Dropout as Approximate Bayesian Inference
Practical Training and Evaluation of BNNs
Hands-on Practical: Building a Bayesian Neural Network
Subjectivity and Objectivity in Prior Selection
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- Bayesian Data Analysis, Andrew Gelman, John B. Carlin, Hal S. Stern, David B. Dunson, Aki Vehtari, Donald B. Rubin, 2013 (Chapman and Hall/CRC) DOI: 10.1201/b16018 - A standard text for Bayesian inference, covering prior selection, sensitivity analysis, and practical implementation across various models.
- The case for objective Bayesian analysis, James O. Berger, 2006 Bayesian Analysis, Vol. 1 DOI: 10.1214/06-BA115 - Discusses the rationale and formal criteria for objective Bayesian methods, including Jeffreys and reference priors.
- A weakly informative default prior distribution for logistic and other regression models, Andrew Gelman, Aleks Jakulin, Maria Grazia Pittau, Yu-Sung Su, 2008 The Annals of Applied Statistics, Vol. 2 DOI: 10.1214/08-AOAS191 - Provides justification and practical guidelines for constructing and using weakly informative priors, especially for regression models.
- Bayesian Theory, Jose M. Bernardo, Adrian F. M. Smith, 1994 (John Wiley & Sons) - A foundational text for the theoretical aspects of Bayesian inference, including comprehensive coverage of prior distributions, particularly reference priors.