AI Course of the Year

AI Course of the Year

Dr. Catia Silva's course in Fundamentals of Machine Learning blends mathematical depth with practical application through live coding, Socratic questioning, and hands-on projects using GitHub and PyTorch. Students design complete machine-learning systems—from sign-language recognition to emotion detection—bridging theory with real-world impact. Rooted in Universal Design for Learning principles, the course attracts over 250 students annually from diverse disciplines and consistently earns acclaim for clarity, accessibility, and intellectual challenge. Dr. Silva is an instructional associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.