Course Outline:
1/08: Course Introduction
1/15: Vision
1/22: Attention
1/29: IT Recognition
2/05: Memory
2/12: Audition
2/19: Motor/Premotor System
2/26: Somato Sensory and Mirror Neurons
3/05: Decision-Making and Reward
3/12: BMIs: Neuroengineering and The Future in the Clinic
Class Format:
Each class will begin with an introductory lecture on the topic for that day, presenting key concepts about information processing in different neural systams. Next, students will present the article assigned to them (15-20 minutes for each presentation). Each paper also has a designated questioner, who raises discussion topics for that paper. Questioners should address ~2 questions to the presenter and ~1-2 more open discussion questions to the class. The papers selected will try to represent key debates about the functional organization of various neuronal systems.
Participation Requirements:
Each student must present two papers and serve as a designated questioner (minimum 3 questions) at least twice. Discussion from all students is encouraged. One or two minimal Matlab-based problem sets will be offered to ensure students understand the experimental approaches and data analyses considered in this course. A brief (1-2 page) research proposal will be written by the students at the end of the course. Course grade will reflect 60% presentation quality, 30% discussion participation, 10% proposal and problem sets.
A maximum of two classes are allowed to be missed if there are scheduling conflicts, however the student must submit (electronically by the day and time of the class to be missed) a synopsis of the papers to be discussed showing understanding and insight into the topic (1-3 pages). If more than two classes are missed or synopses are not turned in on time, there will be direct deductions from the course grade. Exceptions for special circumstances can be arranged with the course instructor in a case by case manner.
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