NeuroMatch Academy (NMA) Computational Neuroscience syllabus
The content should primarily be accessed from our new ebook: https://compneuro.neuromatch.io/
Objectives: Introduce traditional and emerging computational neuroscience tools, their complementarity, and what they can tell us about the brain. A main focus is on modeling choices, model creation, model evaluation and understanding how they relate to biological questions.
Prerequisites: See here
Course materials
Group projects are offered for the interactive track only and will be running during all 3 weeks of NMA!
Course outline
-
Week 0 (Optional)
- Asynchronous: Python Workshop Part 1 for students + Mandatory TA training for ALL TAS
- Asynchronous: Python Workshop Part 2 for students + Mandatory TA training for ALL TAS
- Wed, June 30th: Linear Algebra (Mandatory for all Tutorial TAs). Project TAs have separate training.
- Thus, July 1st:Calculus (Mandatory for all Tutorial TAs). Project TAs have separate training.
- Fri, July 2nd: Probability & Statistics (Mandatory for all Tutorial TAs). Project TAs have separate training.
-
Week 1
- Mon, July 5: Model Types
- Tue, July 6: Modeling Practice
- Wed, July 7: Model Fitting
- Thu, July 8: Generalized Linear Models
- Fri, July 9: Dimensionality Reduction
-
Week 2
- Mon, July 12: Deep Learning
- Tue, July 13: Linear Systems
- Wed, July 14: Biological Neuron Models
- Thu, July 15: Dynamic Networks
- Fri, July 16: Project day!
-
Week 3
- Mon, July 19: Bayesian Decisions
- Tue, July 20: Hidden Dynamics
- Wed, July 21: Optimal Control
- Thu, July 22: Reinforcement Learning
- Fri, July 23: Network Causality
Daily schedule
All days (except W1D2, W2D5, and W3D5) will follow this schedule for course time:
| Time (Hour) | Lecture |
|---|---|
| 0:00-0:30* | Intro video & text |
| 0:30-0:45** | Pod discussion I |
| 0:45-2:15 | Tutorials + nano-lectures I |
| 2:15-3:15 | Big break |
| 3:15-4:45 | Tutorials + nano-lectures II |
| 4:45-4:55 | Pod dicussion II |
| 4:55-5:00 | Reflections & content checks |
| 5:05-5:35* | Outro |
* The intro and outro will be watched asynchronously, which means that you can watch this lecture before and after the start of the synchronous session
** Note that the synchronous session starts at 0:30 with the first pod discussion!
On W2D1, W2D4, and W3D4:
| Time (Hour) | Lecture |
|---|---|
| 5:40-6:40 | Live Q&A |
On W1D2 (project launch day):
| Time (Hour) | Lecture |
|---|---|
| 0:00-0:30* | Intro video & text |
| 0:30-2:30** | Tutorials + nano-lectures I |
| 2:30-2:45 | Outro |
| 2:45-3:45 | Big break |
| 3:45-5:30 | Literature review |
| 5:30-5:45 | Break |
| 5:45-8:30*** | Project proposal |
* The intro and outro will be watched asynchronously, which means that you can watch this lecture before and after the start of the synchronous session
** Note that the synchronous session starts at 0:30 with the first pod discussion!
*** Note that this includes the next available project time, which may be on the next day.
On W2D5 (abstract writing day):
| Time (Hour) | Lecture |
|---|---|
| 0:00-2:00* | Abstract workshop |
| 2:00-2:50 | Big Break |
| 2:50-4:20 | Individual abstract editing |
| 4:20-5:05 | Mentor meeting (flexible time) |
| 5:05-5:25 | Break |
| 5:25-6:25 | Pod abstract swap |
| 6:25-8:00 | Finalize abstract |
- This day is completely asynchronous, so you should combine tutorial and project time for a total of 8 hours.
On W3D5 (final day!), we will have an extra celebration and pod wrap-ups after the material:
| Time (Hour) | Lecture |
|---|---|
| 0:00-0:30* | Intro video & text |
| 0:30-0:45** | Pod discussion I |
| 0:45-2:15 | Tutorials + nano-lectures I |
| 2:15-3:15 | Big break |
| 3:15-4:45 | Tutorials + nano-lectures II |
| 4:45-4:55 | Pod dicussion II |
| 4:55-5:00 | Reflections & content checks |
| 5:05-5:35* | Outro |
| 5:35-5:45 | Break |
| 5:45-6:10 | Evaluation report |
| 6:10-7:10 | Project presentations |
| 7:10-7:25 | Pod farewell |
| 7:25-8:15 | Closing ceremony |
* The intro and outro will be watched asynchronously, which means that you can watch this lecture before and after the start of the synchronous session
** Note that the synchronous session starts at 0:30 with the first pod discussion!
Licensing
The contents of this repository are shared under under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Software elements are additionally licensed under the BSD (3-Clause) License.
Derivative works may use the license that is more appropriate to the relevant context.