Machine learning is a scientific discipline that deals with the design and development of algorithms that allow computers to evolve behaviors based on empirical data, as sensor data or database. A student can make use of data  to capture the features of interest in the unknown underlying probability distribution.  A major focus of machine learning research is to learn to automatically recognize complex patterns and make intelligent decisions based on the data. Machine learning, as all players in the field of artificial intelligence, requires interdisciplinary skills in different areas, such as probability theory, statistics, pattern recognition, cognitive science, data mining, adaptive control, computational neuroscience and theoretical computer science.

For more information: "Machine learning".