Unit name | Computational Neuroscience |
---|---|
Unit code | COMS30127 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Bogacz |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Students from Psychology only have to take “Cognitive modelling in psychology”, PSYC 31039 |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Computer Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
This unit has three versions, COMS30127 at BSc level, COMSM2127 at MEng/MSc level, and COMS35103 for students outside the Engineering faculty. They share lectures, but may have different assessments. Aims are to provide the student with an understanding of computational principles of biological computations performed in the brain by: single neurons, network of neurons, and interacting brain areas.
After successful completion of this unit, the student will
20 hours of lectures, 10 hours of laboratory sessions
coursework (20%), exam (80%)
All students need to do two courseworks in Matlab which address the 4th learning outcome (Be able to simulate simple models of neurons, networks, and cortical areas in Matlab).
Due to initial differences in background of students attending the unit, the first coursework differs between the students from the Faculty of Engineering and School of Experimental Psychology. In particular, the students from Faculty of Engineering have to simulate activity of two mutually connected neurons, while the students from the School of Experimental Psychology (who learn Matlab as a part of the unit) have to program a psychological experiment of their choice in Matlab. The second coursework is the same for all students and involves simulating neuronal activity during decision making.
Lecture notes. Background reading to include: Peter Dayan, Larry F Abbott Theoretical Neuroscience MIT-Press, 2001 ISBN: 0-262-04199-5 Price: £31.57 Recommended