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.

An undergraduate degree in computational neuroscience is not available at the University of Chicago, but 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 general education electives.

Students concentrating in Biological Science should elect either the

BIOS 18000s or 19000s sequence. Students who do not elect this

sequence should elect BIOS 10200 and 10201.

MATH 15100-15200. Calculus I, II

or MATH 16100-16200. Honors Calculus I, II

SOSC 14100-14200-14300. Mind I, II, III

BIOS 24221-24222-24223. Computational Neuroscience I, II, III

MATH 15300. Calculus III

or MATH 16300. Honors Calculus III

MATH 25000 and 27300, followed by MATH 32000-32200.

Students who are interested in computational neuroscience and are concentrating in biological sciences, mathematics, or psychology may also wish to elect the courses that follow.

BIOS 24204. Cellular Neurobiology

BIOS 24205. Systems Neuroscience

BIOS 24211. Neuroethology

PSYC 20700. Experimental Approaches to

Systems Neurobiology

PSYC 25600. Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

PSYC 28000. Sensation and Perception

PSYC 28300. 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.

Yali Amit, Associate Professor, Department of Statistics and the College

Bennet bertenthal, Professor, Department of Psychology 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

Leslie Kay, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology 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

Partha Niyogi, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Howard Nusbaum, Professor, Department of Psychology and the College

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

L refers to courses with a laboratory.

BIOS 24222. Computational Neuroscience II: Vision (=ORGB 34500, PSYC 32400). PQ: BIOS 28700 and a prior course in systems neurobiology, or consent of instructor. Prior or concurrent registration in MATH 20100 recommended. P. Ulinski, Staff. Winter. L.

BIOS 24223. Computational Neuroscience III: Language (=ORGB 34600, PSYC 34400). PQ: Consent of instructor. T. Regier, Staff. Spring.

BIOS 24204. Cellular Neurobiology. PQ: Completion of the general education requirement for the biological sciences. Prior physics course recommended. D. Hanck, P. Lloyd. Spring. L.

NPHP 31800. 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.

NPHP 32300. 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 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.

BIOS 24211. Neuroethology (=PSYC 31500). PQ: BIOS 24204 or consent of instructor. Prior or concurrent registration in PHYS 14200. Prior knowledge of basic cellular mechanisms of neurons and basic anatomy of the vertebrate central nervous system. Labs meet once a week and may require time beyond the posted schedule. D. Margoliash. Winter. L.

NPHP 31500. 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 NURB 31600. 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.

NPHP 31600. 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 NPHP 31500. In addition to reading review chapters, students read classic original articles. P. Mason, R. McCrea. Winter.

PSYC 28000. Sensation and Perception (=BPSY 28000). D. Bradley. Winter. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

PSYC 28300/38300. Attention (=BPSY 28300). V. Maljkovic, H. Nusbaum. Winter.

PSYC 32600. Speech Perception. H. Nusbaum. Spring. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

PSYC 38500. Cognitive Neuropsychology (=BPSY 38300). H. Nusbaum. Winter. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

PSYC 38700. Connectionist Modeling: Techniques. PQ: Knowledge of programming, basic calculus, and linear algebra helpful. T. Regier. Winter. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

MATH 32100. Mathematical and Statistical Methods for Neuroscience II. Y. Amit. Winter. L.

MATH 32200. Mathematical and Statistical Methods of Neuroscience III. J. Cowan. Spring. L.