Introduction to Bayesian modeling

Registration

From the 1st of August to the 1st of September 2025 interested students can apply for a place in the seminar. The allocation of places will take place via the following central Moodle course of the faculty: https://moodle.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/course/view.php?id=62179.

The final allocation of places will take place by the 15th of September 2025 at the latest. Complete your binding registration by registering for the seminar via FlexNow. Please note that following the above steps is mandatory. Enrolment via FlexNow without prior registration via the central Moodle course is not permitted.

Content

The Bayesian perspective on probability is a cornerstone of modern applied statistics and probabilistic machine learning. Probabilistic models formulated in this framework allow to explicitly communicate and challenge assumptions, perform consistent reasoning, and quantify the uncertainty of predictions — they are a useful tool in data-driven research as well as decision-making.

This seminar aims to explore the conceptual foundations of building these models and employ them for statistical inference and is meant for students without significant prior exposure to the topic and the focus will be on intuitive understanding and rigorous mathematical introduction of probability theory.

The lab course with the same name is recommended for hands-on experience as it is designed for synergy with this course, but this is not a requirement.

Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion, students will

  • understand the basic building blocks of Bayesian models

  • know different methods for sample-based inference

Recommended prior Knowledge:

Mathematical foundations as taught in the first three semesters of the study programs of the Faculty of Computer Science.

Learning Methods:

Required reading, presentation and discussion of the course book

Exam:

Seminar presentation

Requirements for the awarding of Credit Points:

Seminar presentation needs to be graded with a passing grade (4,0 or better).

Attendance required. Missing for more than one session will without a medical certificate will result in a „Fail“ for this course.

Lecturers

Details

Course type
Seminars
Credits
3
Term
Winter Term 2025/2026

Dates

Seminar
Takes place every week on Tuesday from 10:00 to 12:00 in room NB 3/72.
First appointment is on 14.10.2025
Last appointment is on 03.02.2026

Requirements

Some familiarity with mathematical notation is required. 

However, the focus is on intuition and application instead of mathematical rigor.

About the INI

The Institut für Neuroinformatik (INI) is a research unit of the Faculty of Computer Science at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Its scientific goal is to understand the fundamental principles through which organisms generate behavior and cognition while linked to their environments through sensory and effector systems. Inspired by our insights into such natural cognitive systems, we seek new solutions to problems of information processing in artificial cognitive systems. We draw from a variety of disciplines that include experimental psychology and neurophysiology as well as machine learning, neural artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics.

Contact

Universitätsstr. 150, Building NB, Room 3/32
D-44801 Bochum, Germany

Tel: (+49) 234 32-28967
Fax: (+49) 234 32-14210

sekretariat@ini.rub.de
www.ini.rub.de