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EPFLx: Computational Neuroscience: Neuronal Dynamics of Cognition

This course explains the mathematical and computational models that are used in the field of theoretical neuroscience to analyze the collective dynamics of thousands of interacting neurons.

Computational Neuroscience: Neuronal Dynamics of Cognition
6 weeks
4–6 hours per week
Self-paced
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Free
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Computational Neuroscience: Neuronal Dynamics of Cognition

About this course

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What happens in your brain when you make a decision? And what happens if you recall a memory from your last vacation? Why is our perception of simple objects sometimes strangely distorted? How can millions of neurons in the brain work together without a central control unit?

This course explains the mathematical and computational models that are used in the field of theoretical neuroscience to answer the above questions. The core of the answer to cognition may lie in the collective dynamics of thousands of interacting neurons - and these dynamics are mathematically analyzed in this course using methods such as mean-field theory and non-linear differential equations.

At a glance

  • Institution: EPFLx
  • Subject: Biology & Life Sciences
  • Level: Advanced
  • Prerequisites:

    Calculus and Differential equations at the level of a bachelor in physics, math, or electrical engineering.

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Computational Neuroscience

What you'll learn

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By the end of the course,you willbe able to:

  • Analyze connected networks in the mean-field limit
  • Formalize biological facts into mathematical models
  • Understand a simple mathematical model of memory formation in the brain
  • Understand a simple mathematical model of decision processes
  • Understand cortical field models of perception

Syllabus

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Textbook:

Neuronal Dynamics - from single neurons to networks and models of cognition (W. Gerstner, W.M. Kistler, R. Naud and L. Paninski), Cambridge Univ. Press. 2014

online version: http://neuronaldynamics.epfl.ch/

The course will be based on Chapters 12 and 16-19.

Overview of contents over 6 weeks:

A) Associative Memory and Hopfield Model

B) Attractor networks and spiking neurons

C) Neuronal populations and mean-field theory

D) Perception and cortical field models

E) Decision making and competitive dynamics

F) Synaptic Plasticity and learning

Total duration and workload:

6 weeks of video lectures. Each weak comprises a series of 5-8 videos. Viewing time about 60-90 minutes per week. Self-learning time 90 minutes per week. Online exercises, quizzes, and a final exam.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

Ways to take this course

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Certificate

Free

Price

$179 USD

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Access to course materials

Unlimited

Limited

Expires on Dec 20

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Graded assignments and exams

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