WS 2015/2016 Computational Neuroscience: Models of Neural Systems Richard Kempter and Benjamin Lindner

Dates: Weekly, from 19-October-2015 to 9-February-2016.

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; first lecture on 19-Oct
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); first tutorial on 20-October
Computer Practical: Extended introduction (tentatively Mo 26-Oct, 14-16h; Mo 2-Nov, 14-16h).
Analytic Tutorials (2 SWS, 4 ECTS): Thursdays, 18:00-19:30h in the seminar room of the Ostertaghaus (Haus 4, ground floor, room 012a)

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

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 ''Models of Neural Systems'' also provides some neurobiological knowledge and explains 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 cellular 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 BXY-27 Theoretische Biologie.

People and Contents:
Theoretical Lectures by Richard Kempter and Benjamin Lindner.
Analytic Tutorials by Tiziano D'Albis, André Holzbecher, and Felix Droste.
Experimental Lectures by Robert Martin
Computer Practical by Nikolay Chenkov, Jens Kremkow, and Davide Bernardi (+ Owen Mackwood and Robert Meyer in the first two weeks)

Moodle:
Further details are available at this moodle page.

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 before the beginning of the lecture, and at least 75% (for MB-B10: 50%) of the points in the exercises must be obtained. Every student must turn in his/her own solution. A solution to an assigment can be generated by groups of 2 students (and the cooperation partner must be mentioned), but a particular pair of students can submit a solution to only one assignment. An active participation in the tutorials is also required.

Computer Practicals: To obtain a course certificate ("Schein" 3 or 4 ECTS) that certifies a successful participation, solutions to the weekly assignments must be turned in on the day preceding the computer practical, and on average at least 75% (for MB-B10 and BXY-27: 50%) of the points in the exercises must be obtained. Every student must submit his/her own solution. A solution to an assigment can be generated by groups of 2 students (and the cooperation partner must be mentioned), but a particular pair of students can submit a solution to only one assignment.

In addition to the weekly tutorials, the results of a programming project must be summarized in a written proposal and presented in an oral talk on Tuesday, Feb 9, 2016 (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 day is Tuesday, April-5-2016 (and April-6-2016 if necessary). The exam should be taken at the end of the semester but has to be taken latest by the end of the semester following the one of obtaining the tutorial certificates. To prepare for the exams, there will a special meeting of students and examiners on 08.02.2016 at 11:45h the BCCNB.

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.