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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Sample-based Learning Methods by University of Alberta

4.8
stars
1,213 ratings

About the Course

In this course, you will learn about several algorithms that can learn near optimal policies based on trial and error interaction with the environment---learning from the agent’s own experience. Learning from actual experience is striking because it requires no prior knowledge of the environment’s dynamics, yet can still attain optimal behavior. We will cover intuitively simple but powerful Monte Carlo methods, and temporal difference learning methods including Q-learning. We will wrap up this course investigating how we can get the best of both worlds: algorithms that can combine model-based planning (similar to dynamic programming) and temporal difference updates to radically accelerate learning. By the end of this course you will be able to: - Understand Temporal-Difference learning and Monte Carlo as two strategies for estimating value functions from sampled experience - Understand the importance of exploration, when using sampled experience rather than dynamic programming sweeps within a model - Understand the connections between Monte Carlo and Dynamic Programming and TD. - Implement and apply the TD algorithm, for estimating value functions - Implement and apply Expected Sarsa and Q-learning (two TD methods for control) - Understand the difference between on-policy and off-policy control - Understand planning with simulated experience (as opposed to classic planning strategies) - Implement a model-based approach to RL, called Dyna, which uses simulated experience - Conduct an empirical study to see the improvements in sample efficiency when using Dyna...

Top reviews

DP

Feb 14, 2021

Excellent course that naturally extends the first specialization course. The application examples in programming are very good and I loved how RL gets closer and closer to how a living being thinks.

AS

Aug 11, 2020

Great course, giving it 5 stars though it deserves both because the assignments have some serious issues that shouldn't actually be a matter. All the other parts are amazing though. Good job

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101 - 125 of 237 Reviews for Sample-based Learning Methods

By Seyed K M Z

Apr 21, 2023

this course was even better than the first one. thanks to its instructors!

By ding l

Apr 24, 2020

By taking the class, I learned much more than only reading the textbook.

By Ofir E

Mar 22, 2020

Amazing course, truly academy-grade. And RL is such a fascinating topic!

By Fabrice L

Nov 14, 2020

Things start to get interesting in this course of the specialization.

By Deleted A

Mar 10, 2020

It was a very good course. All the concepts were explained very well.

By leftheory

Jul 6, 2021

Very neat and clear. However, it just follows the RL book strictly.

By Varun K R K

May 15, 2021

The best course available on entire world for reinforcement learning

By Dan N

Oct 24, 2021

I liked that this course had programming assignments for each week.

By Animesh

May 28, 2020

this course is very well designed and executed. wow! i loved it :D

By Li W

Mar 30, 2020

Very good introductions and practices to the classic RL algorithms

By DEEP P

Jul 8, 2020

Great learning Experience and really helpful lecturers and staff.

By Rudi C

Jul 21, 2020

Wonderful course, highly instructive, and follows the textbook!

By Rajesh

Jul 2, 2020

Please make assignments more explanatory and allow flexiblity

By Farzad E b

Jul 28, 2022

It was great!! One of the best courses I've ever enrolled in

By alper d

Jan 17, 2021

Good course material and simplified explanations. Thank you.

By David

Nov 3, 2019

Really a wonderful course! Very professional and high level.

By Teresa Y B

Apr 10, 2020

Very well structured course, Thanks for so nice preparing!!

By Shi Y

Nov 10, 2019

最喜欢的Coursera课程之一,难度适中的RL课程,非常推荐,学习到了很多自学很难理解全面的知识。感谢老师和助教们!

By Iosif D

Jun 18, 2023

Excellent foundational course. I really appreciated it.

By Alex E

Nov 19, 2019

A fun an interesting course. Keep up the great work!

By Jicheng F

Jul 11, 2020

Martha and Adam are great instructors, great job!

By garcia b

Dec 31, 2019

very copacetic. excellent complement to the book

By Ignacio O

Oct 13, 2019

Great, informative and very interesting course.

By Ashish S

Sep 16, 2019

A good course with proper Mathematical insights

By Guruprasad

Jul 13, 2021

very intutive and the instructors are succinct