Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience - Obidos 2004

[Alain Destexhe]

ADVANCED COURSE IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(AN IBRO NEUROSCIENCE SCHOOL)

August 16th - September 10th, 2004

MUNICIPALITY OF OBIDOS, PORTUGAL

DIRECTORS: Ad Aertsen (University of Freiburg, Germany)
           Peter Dayan (University College London, UK)
           Alain Destexhe (CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France)
           Eilon Vaadia (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel)

The Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience introduces students
to the panoply of problems and methods of computational neuroscience,
addressing issues of neural organization from sub-cellular to
network and inter-areal levels.

The course has two complementary parts. Mornings are devoted to
lectures given by distinguished international faculty on topics across
the breadth of experimental and computational neuroscience. During the
rest of the day, students are given practical training in the art and
practice of neural modeling, largely through the medium of their
individual choice of model systems. 

The first week of the course introduces students to essential
neurobiological concepts and to the most important techniques in
modelling single cells, networks and neural systems. Students learn
how to solve their research problems using software packages such as
GENESIS, MATLAB, NEST, NEURON, XPP, etc. During the following three 
weeks the lectures cover specific brain areas and functions.  Topics 
range from modelling single cells and subcellular processes through 
the simulation of simple circuits, large neuronal networks and system
level models of the brain. The course ends with project presentations
by the students.

The Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience is designed for
advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in a variety of
disciplines, including neuroscience, physics, electrical engineering,
computer science, mathematics and psychology. Students are expected to
have a keen interest and basic background in neurobiology as well as
some computer experience. Students of any nationality can apply.

A maximum of 30 students will be accepted. There will be a fee of EUR
800,- per student covering costs for lodging, meals and other course
expenses.  Depending on funding, there will be a limited limited
number of tuition fee waivers and travel stipends available for
students who need financial help for attending the course.  We have
received IBRO funding to provide full travel and fee support for 4-5
students from developing countries. These students will be accepted
according to the normal selection procedure. We specifically
encourage applications from researchers who work in the developing
world. 

Applications, including a description of the target project must be
submitted electronically (see below) and should be accompanied by
two letters of recommendation (also sent electronically).
Applications will be assessed by a committee, with selection being
based on the following criteria: the scientific quality of the
candidate (CV) and of the project, the letters, and evidence that the
course affords substantial benefit to the candidate's training.

More information and application forms can be obtained from:

          http://www.neuroinf.org/courses/EUCOURSE/EU04

Please apply electronically using a web browser.

Contact address:

       - mail:   Camilla Bruns, FR2-1, Fakultaet IV, Technical University
                 of Berlin, Franklinstrasse 28/29, 10587 Berlin, Germany
       - e-mail: bruns at cs.tu-berlin.de

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  April 23, 2004
DEADLINE FOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: April 30, 2004

Applicants will be notified of the results of the selection procedures by
end of May 2004.


CONFIRMED FACULTY:

Moshe Abeles, Hebrew University, Israel
Ad Aertsen, University of Freiburg, Germany
Amos Arieli, Weizmann Institute, Israel
Peter Dayan, University College London, UK
Erik de Schutter, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Alain Destexhe, CNRS, France
Marcus Diesmann, University of Freiburg, Germany
Wulfram Gerstner, EPFL, Switzerland
Mike Hausser, University College London, UK
Michael Hines, Yale University, USA
Gwendael LeMasson, University of Bordeaux, France
Siegrid Lowel, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology, Germany
Israel Nelken, Hebrew University, Israel
Miguel Nicolelis, Duke University, USA
John Rinzel, New York University, USA
Arnd Roth, Max Planck Inst. Heidelberg, Germany
Michael Rudolph, CNRS, France
Edward Stern, Harvard University, USA
Tali Tishby, Hebrew University, Israel
Alex Thomson, University College London, UK
Emo Todorov, University of California San Diego, USA
Misha Tsodyks, Weizmann Institute, Israel
Eilon Vaadia, Hebrew University, Israel
Charlie Wilson, University of Texas San Antonio, USA
Matt Wilson, MIT, USA
Li Zhaoping, University College London, UK