Credits: 5

Schedule: 09.01.2019 - 28.05.2019

Teaching Period (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

III-V (spring), odd years

Learning Outcomes (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Explain the basic principles of information processing in neural circuits
  • Define coding information and reconstruction of stimuli based on neural information
  • Quantify the information content of a spike train
  • Analyze the fundamental constraints arising from noise on neural circuit function
  • Perform basic mathematical analysis to characterize neural signals and noise
  • Explain the basic requirements for fidelity and specificity of neural circuit function
  • Give examples of neural circuit computations and neural codes in well-defined neural circuits.

Content (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

  • Basic building blocks of the neural circuits
  • Neural wiring vs. neural circuit function
  • Basic principles of neural information transfer
  • Signal and noise in neural circuits
  • Quantifying information in neural circuits
  • Fidelity and specificity of neural circuit function
  • Examples of neural circuit computations.

Assessment Methods and Criteria (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

Teaching Methods: Lectures, exercises and exam.

Requirements, Assessment Methods and Criteria:

  • Active participation in teaching and exercises
  • Exam

Workload (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

  • Lectures: 20–24 hours
  • Exercises: 20–24 hours
  • Preparations for exercises: 30 hours
  • Independent (self) study and preparation for lectures: 43 hours
  • Preparing for the exam: 10 hours
    Exam: 3 hours.

Study Material (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

TBA

Course Homepage (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=NBE-E4130

Prerequisites (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

Basic knowledge of biophysics and cellular electrophysiology (recommended courses: NBE-C2102 Biophysics, NBE-E4120 Cellular Electrophysiology)

Grading Scale (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

0 to 5

Further Information (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

The number of participants may be restricted.

Description

Registration and further information