Natural Language Processing

Information

Course Overview

This course provides a deep dive into the foundational and advanced concepts of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and explores the cutting-edge developments in Large Language Models (LLMs). Starting with the fundamental principles of NLP, such as language modeling, sentiment analysis, and text classification, students will progressively explore the capabilities and applications of LLMs like GPT and BERT. The course covers a wide range of topics, including language understanding, machine translation, parsing, information retrieval, and the ethical implications of LLMs. Practical exercises and projects will focus on developing real-world applications, from traditional NLP tasks to leveraging LLMs for more complex language-based challenges.

Course Objectives

• By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • • Understand the evolution of Natural Language Processing, from its core principles to modern advancements in Large Language Models.

    • Implement traditional NLP algorithms, such as language modeling, parsing, and text classification, and apply them to real-world applications.

    • Analyze and compare the effectiveness of both NLP and LLM techniques with regard to computational efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

    • Develop practical applications using Large Language Models, such as chatbots, machine translation systems, sentiment analysis tools, and more.

Reference Material

• Main text:

  • From NLP to LLM: The Evolution of Language Intelligence, by Mahmmoud Mahdi [Soon by 30-Oct]

• Reference books (library/online):

  • Speech and Language Processing (3rd edition). Daniel Jurafsky and James Martin.

Important Course Notes

Class Sessions

• Wednesday {10:15-11:30 PM} 4th AI @ Edressi

Office Hours

• Thursday {11:30-12:00PM} 

Grading Criteria

• Attendance: 12.5%

• Midterm Exam: 37.5%

• Assignments: 2 x 25%

• Late Assignments and Make-Up: Assignments submitted after the due date will not be accepted.

Social Group and Announcement

• Facebook group

Course Schedule

• Note: This is just a expected curriculum, and the specific content and objectives may change. Additionally, some topics may need to be covered in more depth, while others may need to be covered more briefly, based on the needs and skills of students.