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  • © 2021

Probabilistic Graphical Models

Principles and Applications

  • Includes exercises, suggestions for research projects, and example applications throughout the book
  • Presents the main classes of PGMs under a single, unified framework
  • Covers both the fundamental aspects and some of the latest developments in the field
  • Fully updated new edition, featuring a greater number of exercises, and new material on partially observable Markov decision processes, and graphical models and deep learning

Part of the book series: Advances in Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (ACVPR)

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxviii
  2. Fundamentals

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Introduction

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 3-14
    3. Probability Theory

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 15-26
    4. Graph Theory

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 27-39
  3. Probabilistic Models

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 41-41
    2. Bayesian Classifiers

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 43-69
    3. Hidden Markov Models

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 71-91
    4. Markov Random Fields

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 93-110
    5. Bayesian Networks: Representation and Inference

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 111-151
    6. Bayesian Networks: Learning

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 153-179
    7. Dynamic and Temporal Bayesian Networks

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 181-202
  4. Decision Models

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 203-203
    2. Decision Graphs

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 205-228
    3. Markov Decision Processes

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 229-248
    4. Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 249-266
  5. Relational, Causal and Deep Models

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 267-267
    2. Relational Probabilistic Graphical Models

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 269-286
    3. Graphical Causal Models

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 287-305
    4. Causal Discovery

      • Luis Enrique Sucar
      Pages 307-325

About this book

This fully updated new edition of a uniquely accessible textbook/reference provides a general introduction to probabilistic graphical models (PGMs) from an engineering perspective.  It features new material on partially observable Markov decision processes, causal graphical models, causal discovery and deep learning, as well as an even greater number of exercises; it also incorporates a software library for several graphical models in Python.

The book covers the fundamentals for each of the main classes of PGMs, including representation, inference and learning principles, and reviews real-world applications for each type of model. These applications are drawn from a broad range of disciplines, highlighting the many uses of Bayesian classifiers, hidden Markov models, Bayesian networks, dynamic and temporal Bayesian networks, Markov random fields, influence diagrams, and Markov decision processes.

Topics and features:

  • Presents a unified framework encompassing all of the main classes of PGMs
  • Explores the fundamental aspects of representation, inference and learning for each technique
  • Examines new material on partially observable Markov decision processes, and graphical models
  • Includes a new chapter introducing deep neural networks and their relation with probabilistic graphical models 
  • Covers multidimensional Bayesian classifiers, relational graphical models, and causal models
  • Provides substantial chapter-ending exercises, suggestions for further reading, and ideas for research or programming projects
  • Describes classifiers such as Gaussian Naive Bayes, Circular Chain Classifiers, and Hierarchical Classifiers with Bayesian Networks
  • Outlines the practical application of the different techniques
  • Suggests possible course outlines for instructors

This classroom-tested work is suitable as a textbook for an advanced undergraduate or a graduate course in probabilistic graphical models for students of computer science, engineering, and physics. Professionals wishing to apply probabilistic graphical models in their own field, or interested in the basis of these techniques, will also find the book to be an invaluable reference.

Dr. Luis Enrique Sucar is a Senior Research Scientist at the National Institute for Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE), Puebla, Mexico. He received the National Science Prize en 2016.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica (INAOE), San Andrés Cholula, Mexico

    Luis Enrique Sucar

About the author

Dr. Luis Enrique Sucar is a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Computing at the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE), Mexico.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access