CMSC498Y

Selected Topics in Computer Science; Statistical Inference and Machine Learning Methods for Genomics Data

Covers statistical inference and machine learning methods for analyzing genomic data. Examples of topics covered will include maximum likelihood (including composite and pseudo-likelihood functions), expectation-maximization, clustering algorithms, hidden markov models, statistical testing, MCMC and variational inference. Our focus will be on how these techniques are utilized to solve biological problems and the practical challenges that arise when analyzing large genomic data sets.

Sister Courses: CMSC498A, CMSC498B, CMSC498C, CMSC498D, CMSC498E, CMSC498F, CMSC498G, CMSC498I, CMSC498J, CMSC498K, CMSC498L, CMSC498N, CMSC498O, CMSC498P, CMSC498Q, CMSC498R, CMSC498T, CMSC498V, CMSC498W, CMSC498X, CMSC498Z

Spring 2026

7 reviews
Average rating: 4.57

Spring 2025

7 reviews
Average rating: 4.57

Past Semesters

7 reviews
Average rating: 4.57

7 reviews
Average rating: 4.57

7 reviews
Average rating: 4.57

0 reviews
Average rating: N/A

During the Spring 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, students could choose to take some of their courses pass-fail mid-semester which skews grade data aggregated across multiple semesters.

Average GPA of 2.85 between 90 students*

CMSC498Y Grade Distribution+-05101520253035404550% of studentsABCDFWother
A-: 17.78%
A: 24.44%
A+: 4.44%
B-: 5.56%
B: 8.89%
B+: 12.22%
C-: 3.33%
C: 5.56%
C+: 1.11%
D: 2.22%
F: 1.11%
W: 13.33%
* "W"s are considered to be 0.0 quality points. "Other" grades are not factored into GPA calculation. Grade data not guaranteed to be correct.