CNS 100: Introduction to Computation and Neural Systems

Information

Description

How does the brain compute? Can we endow machines with brain-like computational capability? Faculty and students in the Computation and Neural Systems (CNS) program ask these questions with the goal of understanding the brain and designing systems that show the same degree of autonomy and adaptability as biological systems.

This course is designed to introduce undergraduate and first-year CNS graduate students to the wide variety of research being undertaken by CNS faculty. Topics from CNS research labs are discussed and span the range from biology to engineering.

Schedule

Week 1: September 28th, 2023

Speaker: Carlos Lois, MD, PhD
Research Professor of Biology; T&C Chen Center for Neuroscience Education Director

Week 2: October 5th, 2023

Speaker: Elizabeth (Betty) J. Hong, PhD
Professor of Neuroscience; Chen Scholar

Week 3: October 12th, 2023

Speaker: Thanos Siapas, PhD
Professor of Computation and Neural Systems; Executive Officer for Computation and Neural Systems

Week 4: October 19th, 2023

Speaker: David Prober, PhD
Professor of Biology

Week 5: October 26th, 2023

Speaker: Matt Thomson, PhD
Assistant Professor of Computational Biology; Investigator, Heritage Medical Research Institute

Week 6: November 2nd, 2023

Speaker: Shinsuke (Shin) Shimojo, PhD
Gertrude Baltimore Professor of Experimental Psychology

Week 7: November 9th, 2023

Speaker: Georgia Gkioxari, PhD
Assistant Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences and Electrical Engineering; William H. Hurt scholar

Week 8: November 21st, 2023 (TUESDAY*)

Speaker: David Anderson, PhD
Seymour Benzer Professor of Biology
*Absences are excused due to a change in the day of class.

Week 9: November 23rd, 2023

Thanksgiving Break (No Speakers)

Week 10: November 30th, 2023

Speaker: Michael B. Elowitz, PhD
Professor of Biology and Bioengineering; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Week 11: December 7th, 2023

Speaker: Richard A. Andersen, PhD
James G. Boswell Professor of Neuroscience; T&C Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center Leadership Chair; Director, T&C Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center

Policy

This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. Course registrants are expected to arrive on time. Graduate and undergraduate students have one unexcused absence to receive passing marks. Permission from the instructor is required beyond one absence.