summer course at MBL

[Jim Bower]

             Methods in Computational Neuroscience
                Marine Biological Laboratory
                       Woods Hole, MA.

                   August 2 - August 29, 1992

	For advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in 
neurobiology, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, and 
psychology with an interest in Computational Neuroscience.  A 
background in programming (preferably in C and UNIX) is highly 
desirable.  Limited to 20 students.
	This four-week course presents the basic techniques 
necessary to study single cells and neural networks from a 
computational point of view, emphasizing their possible function in 
information processing.  The aim is to enable participants to 
simulate the functional properties of their particular system of 
study and to appreciate the advantages and pitfalls of this approach 
to understanding the nervous system.
	The first section will focus on simulating the electrical 
properties of single neurons (compartmental models, active 
currents).  The second part of the course will deal with the 
numerical and mathematical (e.g. theory of dynamical systems, 
information theory) techniques necessary for modeling single cells 
and neuronal networks.  Examples of such simulations will be drawn 
from the invertebrate and vertebrate literature (central pattern 
generators, visual system of the fly, mammalian olfactory and 
visual cortex).  In the final section, algorithms and connectionist 
neural networks relevant to visual perception, development in the 
mammalian cortex, as well as plasticity and learning algorithms 
will be analyzed and discussed from a neurobiological point of view.
	The course includes daily lectures, tutorials, and laboratories.  
The laboratory section is organized around GENESIS, the Neuronal 
Network simulator developed at the California Institute of 
Technology, running on 20 state-of-the-art, single-user, UNIX-based 
graphic color workstations.  Other simulation programs, such as 
NEURON, will also be available to students.  Students are expected to 
work on a simulation project of their own choosing.  A small subset 
of students can remain for up to an additional week (until September 
5) at the MBL to finish their computer projects.

TUITION:  $1,000 (includes room and board); partial financial aid is 
available to qualified applicants.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  May 27, 1992

Directors:  James M. Bower and Christof Koch, Computation and 
Neural System Program, California Institute of Technology.

Faculty:  Paul Adams, SUNY, Stony Brook; Richard Andersen, MIT; 
Joseph Arick, Rockefeller University; William Bialck, NEC Research 
Institute; Avis Cohen, University of Maryland; Rodney Douglas, MRC, 
U.K.; Nancy Kopell, Boston University; Rodolfo Llinas, New York 
University Medical Center; Eve Marder, Brandeis University; Michael 
Mascagni, Supercomputing Research Center; Kenneth Miller, Caltech; 
John Rinzel, NIH; Silvie Ryckebusch, Caltech; Idan Segev, Hebrew 
University, Israel; Terrence Sejnowski, UCSD/Salk Institute; David 
Van Essen, Caltech; Matthew Wilson, University of Arizona

Teaching Assistants:  David Beeman, University of Colorado; 
David Berkovitz, Yale University; Ojvind Bernander, Caltech; Maurice 
Lee, Caltech

Computer Manager:  John Uhley, Caltech

-------------------------------------------------------------


                     APPLICATION

      "METHODS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE"
             August 2 - August 29, 1992



Name:	

Social Security Number:	             Citizenship:	

Institutional mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax 
numbers:





Best mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, if 
different from above.





Professional status:

Graduate	Postdoctoral	Faculty	Other	



How did you learn about this course?

Advertisement(Give Name)  
Flyer	        Individual	 Email



State your reasons for wanting to take this course:





Outline your background, if any, in biological science, including 
courses taken.








What experience, if any, have you had with experimental 
Neurobiology?








Outline your background, if any, in applied mathematics (e.g. 
differential equations, linear algebra, Fourier transforms, dynamical 
systems, probability and statistics), including relevant courses in 
math, physics, engineering, etc.








Which computer languages (e.g. C, PASCAL), machines (e.g. PDP, SUN) 
and operating systems (e.g. UNIX) have you used in the past?  
Indicate whether you are an expert (B), proficient (P) or a Novice (N).








What experience, if any, have you had in using neural simulation 
programs, including the Genesis simulator?








Given your experience, what particular questions would you like to 
address as course problems?  (For instance, modelling retinal 
amacrine cells, computing motion in MT, learning in hippocampus, 
etc.)

Education:

Institution	Highest Degree and year





Professional Experience:




If possible please have two letters of recomendation sent to:
jbower at smaug.cns.caltech.edu

Financial Aid
If you are requesting financial aid, please provide a short statement 
of your needs.






Applications are evaluated by an admissions committee and 
individuals are notified of acceptance or non-acceptance within two 
weeks of those decisions.  A non-refundable $200 deposit is required 
of all accepted students by June 28, 1992.

Return applications to:

jbower at smaug.cns.caltech.edu


APPLICATION DEADLINE:  May 27, 1992

- MBL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION INSTITUTION 
-