Computational Neuroscience
Contact Person: Philip S. Ulinski, CH 206, 702-8081, pulinski@midway.uchicago.edu
Computational neuroscience is a relatively new interdisciplinary area of inquiry that is concerned with how components of animal and human nervous systems interact to produce behaviors. It relies on quantitative and modeling approaches to understand the function of the nervous system and to design human made devices that duplicate behaviors. Course work in computational neuroscience can prepare students for graduate studies in neurobiology or psychology, or in the mathematical or engineering sciences. It can lead to either traditional academic careers or to opportunities in the corporate world.
Neither undergraduate nor graduate degrees in computational neuroscience are available at the University of Chicago. However, students concentrating in biological sciences, computer science, mathematics, physics, psychology, or statistics can easily fashion an organized course of study in computational neuroscience by selecting appropriate general education courses and electives such as:
BioSci 171-172-173 (Introductory Biology I, II, III)
BioSci 287-288-289 (Computational Neuroscience I, II, III)
Math 151-152 (Calculus I, II), or Math 161-162 (Honors Calculus I, II)
Math 153 (Calculus III) or Math 163 (Honors Calculus III)
Math 195-196 (Mathematical Methods for Biological or Social Sciences I, II), or Math 200-201 (Mathematical Methods for Physical Sciences I, II)
SocSci 141-142-143 (Mind I, II, III)
NOTE: Students concentrating in biological sciences may also wish to elect BioSci 212 (Cellular Neurobiology), BioSci 213 (Systems and Behavioral Neurobiology), BioSci 215 (Experimental Approaches to Systems Neurobiology), and BioSci 287-288-289 (Computational Neuroscience I, II, III). Students concentrating in mathematics may wish to take higher-level courses in linear algebra, ordinary and partial differential equations, and probability and statistics. Students concentrating in psychology may wish to take Psych 207 (Experimental Approaches to Systems Neurobiology), Psych 256 (Introduction to Cognitive Psychology), Psych 280 (Sensation and Perception), and Psych 283 (Attention).
Faculty associated with this interdisciplinary area participate in a three-quarter sequence in computational neuroscience, teach upper level courses relevant to computational neuroscience, and participate in an ongoing Computational Neuroscience Seminar series.
For further information on the study of computational neuroscience at the University of Chicago, contact Jack Cowan (Department of Mathematics, cowan@math.uchicago.edu), Terry Regier (Department of Psychology, regier@uchicago.edu), or Philip Ulinski (Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, pulinski@midway.uchicago.edu).
Faculty
Yali Amit, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics and the College
DAVID BRADLEY, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and the College
Zhiyi CHI, Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics and the College
JACK COWAN, Professor, Departments of Mathematics and Neurology, and the College
JOHN GOLDSMITH, Edward Carson Waller Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Linguistics
Dorothy Hanck, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Committees on Cell Physiology and Neurobiology, and the College
VERA MALJKOVIC, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and the College
DANIEL MARGOLIASH, Associate Professor, Departments of Organismal Biology & Anatomy and Psychology, Committee on Neurobiology, and the College
MARTHA MCCLINTOCK, Professor, Department of Psychology, Committee on Neurobiology, and the College
JOHN MILTON, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Committee on Neurobiology
HOWARD NUSBAUM, Professor, Department of Psychology and the College
YAN-YI PENG, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacological & Physiological Sciences and Committee on Neurobiology
JOEL POKORNY, Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science and Psychology
JAN-MARINO RAMIREZ, Assistant Professor, Department of Organismal Biology & Anatomy and Committee on Neurobiology
TERRY REGIER, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology
STEVEN SHEVELL, Professor, Departments of Psychology and Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and the College
VIVIANNE SMITH-POKORNY, Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science and Psychology
V. LEO TOWLE, Associate Professor, Departments of Neurology and Surgery
PHILIP S. ULINSKI, Professor, Department of Organismal Biology & Anatomy, Committee on Neurobiology, and the College
HUGH WILSON, Professor, Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science and Psychology, Committee on Neurobiology, and the College
Courses
For descriptions of the following courses, consult the relevant concentration sections of the catalog.
Computational Neuroscience Sequence
BioSci 287. Computational Neuroscience I: Neurons (=OrB/An 344). PQ: Prior course in cellular neurobiology or consent of instructor. Prior or concurrent registration in Math 200 recommended. P. Ulinski, Staff. Autumn.
BioSci 288. Computational Neuroscience II: Circuits (=OrB/An 345, Psych 324). PQ: BioSci 287 and a prior course in systems neurobiology, or consent of instructor. Prior or concurrent registration in Math 201 recommended. P. Ulinski, Staff. Winter.
BioSci 289. Computational Neuroscience III: Networks (=OrB/An 346, Psych 344). PQ: Consent of instructor. T. Regier, Staff. Spring.
Courses in Cell and Molecular Neurobiology
BioSci 211. Cellular Neurobiology. PQ: Completion of the general education requirement in the biological sciences. Prior physics course recommended. D. Hanck, P. Lloyd. Spring.
BioSci 212. Cellular Neurobiology. PQ: Completion of the general education requirement in the biological sciences. Prior physics course recommended. D. Hanck, P. Lloyd. Spring. L.
BioSci 218. Ion Channels (=PhaPhy 332). PQ: BioSci 212 and 213, and consent of instructor. D. Nelson, Staff. Winter.
Neurbi 318. Cellular Neurobiology. This course is concerned with the structure and function of the nervous system at the cellular level. The cellular and subcellular components of neurons and their basic membrane and electrophysiological properties are described. Cellular and molecular aspects of interactions between neurons are studied. This leads to functional analyses of the mechanisms involved in the generation and modulation of behavior in selected model systems. P. Lloyd. Autumn.
Neurbi 323. Molecular Neurobiology. This course is devoted to the examination of current research in the molecular biology of the nervous system. We explore the structure and function of macromolecules that control, propagate, and elicit neural signaling. Topics covered include (1) structural elements of neurons and glia, (2) structure and function of the synapse, (3) aspects of the molecular basis of neural signaling, and (4) gene expression in neural systems. Lectures draw on current journal literature to present a state-of-the-art background of the topic and the current questions being explored, as well as problems and aspects. W. Green, D. McGehee, K. Houamed. Spring.
Courses in Systems Neurobiology
BioSci 213. Systems and Behavioral Neurobiology. PQ: BioSci 211 or 212, or consent of instructor. H. Wilson, J. Ramirez. Autumn. L.
BioSci 215. Experimental Approaches to Systems Neurobiology (=Psych 207). PQ: BioSci 173, 195, or 212; or consent of instructor. Prior or concurrent registration in Phys 142. Knowledge of basic cellular mechanisms of neurons. This course satisfies one of the requirements of the Neuroscience specialization. Weekly labs required. D. Margoliash. Winter.
Neurbi 315. Mammalian Neuroanatomy. This is a lab-centered course that teaches students the basic anatomy of the mammalian CNS and PNS. This course is coordinated with Neurobi 316. Students learn the major structures present at each level of the neuraxis and to recognize them in rodents, cats, and primates. Somatosensory, visual, auditory, vestibular, and olfactory sensory systems are presented in more depth. For each of these sensory systems, as well as for the motor system, the nuclear organization and cellular architecture of selected regions is discussed. P. Mason, R. McCrea. Autumn. L.
Neurbi 316. Neurophysiology. This is a seminar course that teaches students the basic physiology of the mammalian CNS and PNS. Students study the physiology that is associated with the sensory and motor systems studied in Neurbi 315. In addition to reading review chapters, students read classic original articles. P. Mason, R. McCrea. Winter.
Courses in Psychophysics and Cognitive Science
Psych 256. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (=Educ 256/356). V. Maljkovic. Winter.
Psych 280. Sensation and Perception (=Biopsy 280). D. Bradley. Winter.
Psych 283. Attention (=Biopsy 283). V. Maljkovic, H. Nusbaum. Winter.
Psych 326. Speech Perception. H. Nusbaum. Spring.
Psych 385. Cognitive Neuropsychology (=Biopsy 383). H. Nusbaum. Winter.
Psych 387. Connectionist Modeling: Techniques. PQ: Knowledge of programming, basic calculus, and linear algebra helpful. T. Regier. Winter.
Courses in Mathematics Related to Computational Neuroscience
BioSci 219. Nonlinear Dynamics for Neuroscience and Biopsychology. PQ: Prior calculus course. H. Wilson. Autumn.