COSC422

COSC422 - Course outline

Contents of lectures
- Neurons as basic information-processing units of the brain
- Spike-based mathematical models of a neuron
- Dendrites and postsynaptic potentials
- Synaptic mechanisms of learning and memory formation
- Measurement of brain activity
- Principles of brain/computer interface

Learning aims

Students will learn how humans and animals represent and process information at the level of single neurons and small neural circuits, and how neural activity is used to modify synaptic connections and form memories. They will also learn how to model and implement neural systems in NEURON, computational neuroscience software, that is widely used all over the world. Given the interdisciplinary nature of this course, we will ensure that students first learn the fundamental concepts of other disciplines before they are applied.

Objectives

Students will learn
- fundamental mechanisms of biological information processing at the level of individual neurons
- fundamental mechanisms of biological information processing at the level of small neural circuits
- how to investigate a problem and algorithms for its solution
- to implement algorithms in NEURON and hands-on experience with the subject
- knowledge of the limitations of computation in the study of the brain
- interdisciplinary collaboration and multidisciplinary perspective
- ethical considerations