NEU 501: Neuroscience

In this course, students will develop an understanding of neurobiology at several levels, from the physiology of individual neurons, through the functioning of neural circuits, and finally to the behavior of neural systems such as vision, motion, and memory. Topics covered include spatial orientation and sensory guidance, neuronal control of motor output, neuronal processing of sensory information, sensorimotor integration, neuromodulation, circadian rhythms and cellular mechanisms of learning and memory Furthermore, students will learn about artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to creating computational models of the brain using artificial neural networks and deep learning. The class will be based on lectures accompanied by in-class activities and will include weekly discussion of papers from the scientific literature. The class will focus on a guiding theme, such as neurotransmitter systems, with emphasis on research of human neurological problems, such as schizophrenia, addiction, and neurodegenerative disorders.