WS 2012/2013 Computational Neuroscience: Models of Neural Systems Richard Kempter, Benjamin Lindner

Dates: Weekly, from 22-October-2012 to 12-February-2013.

Location: Bernstein Center for Computational Neurosciences Berlin, Haus 6, Philippstr. 13.

Times:
Theoretical Lectures (2 SWS, 2 ECTS): Mondays from 10:00h to 11:30h in the lecture hall 102
Experimental Lectures (2 SWS, 2 ECTS): Mondays from 16:00h to 17:30h in the lecture hall 102
Computer Practical (2 SWS, 4 ECTS): Tuesdays from 18:00h to 19:30h in the computer pool (Haus 2, east wing, room 0.10)
Computer Practical: Extended introduction: Mo 29-Oct-2012, 8:30-10:00 or 14:00-15:30h; Mo 5-Nov-2012, 8:30-10:00 or 14:00-15:30h.
Analytic Tutorials (2 SWS, 4 ECTS): Thursdays, 8:15-09:45h in the BCCN seminar room

Target Group: Students of Computational Neuroscience, Medical Neuroscience, Biology, Biophysics, Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science.

Requirements: Basic knowledge in Mathematics (e.g. calculus, differential equations, algebra) and a higher programming language (e.g. C, C++, Python, MatLab).

Aims and Topics: Participants should learn basic concepts, their theoretical foundation, and the most common models used in computational neuroscience. The Module also provides some neurobiological knowledge and the relevant theoretical approaches as well as the findings resulting form these approaches so far. After completing the Module, participants should understand strengths and limitations of the different models. Participating students will learn to appropriately choose the theoretical methods for modeling neural systems. They will learn how to apply these methods while taking into account the neurobiological findings, and they should be able to critically evaluate results obtained. Participants should also be able to adapt models to new problems as well as to develop new models of neural systems.

Here is the full description of the master modules Models of Neural Systems / MB-B10 and the bachelor module Theoretische Biologie.

People and Contents:
Theoretical Lectures by Richard Kempter and Benjamin Lindner
Analytic Tutorials by Martina Michalikova, Katharina Wilmes, and Tilo Schwalger.
Experimental Lectures by Vanessa Casagrande and Julia Schaeffer
Computer Practical by Urs Bergmann, Nikolay Chenkov, Tiziano Zito, and Sven Blankenburg.

Analytic Tutorials: To obtain a course certificate for 4 ECTS ("Schein") that certificates a successful participation, solutions to the weekly assignments must be turned in on Mondays during the lecture, and at least 75% of the points in the exercises must be obtained. An active participation in the tutorials is also required.

Computer Practicals: To obtain a course certificate ("Schein" 3 or 4 ECTS) that certificates a successful participation, solutions to the weekly assignments must be turned in on the day preceding the computer practical, and at least 75% of the points in the exercises must be obtained. In addition, the results of a programming project must be summarized in a written proposal and presented in an oral talk on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2013 (18-20h). The presentations will take place in the BCCN lecture hall.

Module Examinations: Oral exam (graded); certificates of successful participation in the tutorials and/or practicals is a prerequisite for the oral exam. The exam should be taken at the end of the semester (fixed exam dates: 3./4. April, 2013), but has to be taken latest by the end of the semester following the one of obtaining the tutorial certificates.

Recommended reading:

P. Dayan and L.F. Abbott (2001) Theoretical Neuroscience. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

E. M. Izhikevich (2007) Dynamical Systems in Neuroscience: The Geometry of Excitability and Bursting. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Johnston, Wu (1995) Foundations in Cellular Neurophysiology, MIT Press, Cambrigdge, Massachusetts.

Advanced/additional reading:

M. F. Bear, B. W. Connors, M. A. Paradiso (2007) Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland.

Thomas P. Trappenberg (2002) Fundamentals of Computational Neuroscience. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

P. Churchland and T. Sejnowski (1994). The Computational Brain. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.